East Midlands careers specialist Frontline Recruitment has teamed up with Long Eaton United FC to support the development of grassroots football in the region with the opening of a new Academy in the town.

Frontline has played a key part in the opening of the specialist football Academy at Grange Park, the home of Long Eaton United, which will provide a clear pathway for the Club’s youth section to develop themselves, link up with the first team and even go on to further education opportunities.

Frontline’s General Manager David Essam officially opened the new Academy at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday 17th February.

The relationship between Long Eaton United and Frontline started when David became a manager of one of the Club’s Under 7s teams.

David said: “The work that Long Eaton United does in the community is vast. The Club brings people together, and, as that what Frontline is all about, it seemed perfect that we become involved in helping to fund and promote the Academy.

“I know from my own involvement with Long Eaton United just how much this Academy will mean to the Club and local community, and we’re delighted to have played a small part in bringing it forward.”

Frontline has supplied playing kits, has invested in advertising space at Grange Park and is supporting the Academy by supplying new tables, chairs and office equipment to help fit out the new facility.

The Academy will have huge benefits for younger people in the community. In partnership with Loughborough College, the young footballers can achieve the BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport in two years. Depending on whether certain criteria are met, they will also get the chance to go onto a three year higher educational programme taught at Loughborough College and validated by one of the leading sports universities in the UK, Loughborough University.

Paul Bismanis, Commercial Director at Long Eaton United, said: “David and the Frontline team have been an excellent addition to the football club, his kind positive outlook makes it very easy to work with him, hopefully the start of a long-lasting relationship between the club and frontline recruitment.

“The Club is currently in latter stages of planning a large project with the addition of a new 3G all- weather pitch at Grange Park. This will enhance what is already a great facility giving all our members and teams improved training facilities, also reaching out to the wider community of all age groups and genders.

Long Eaton United is currently running a Just Giving Campaign to try and raise £50,000 towards the £900,000 cost of installing the 3G pitch. If you think you can help with this project, please see: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/leufc-astro