Stour chairman Andy Pountney is looking to build on the recent success of the Glassboys' academy programme which is run in conjunction with Dudley College.

The bespoke Football Education programme is based around 16-19-year old aspiring footballers with an outstanding training provider in Dudley College of Technology.

The programme is now into its fourth campaign, and the progessive nature of the initiative has started to shine with Harvey Portman, 16, making his full senior debut in Stour's Buildbase FA Trophy defeat to Stamford last month.

Central defender Portman was initially handed the opportunity to show his capabilities by current first team manager and Director of Football, Mark Yates in a pre-season friendly in September.

Harvey, along with fifteen of his teammates have benefitted from the excellent coaching and support provided by Stourbridge Football Club on their journey through the youth ranks.

The junior section is headed up by Head of Junior Development, Steve Fellows, alongside Phil Clinton, Lewis Solly, Stuart Jessop and Phil Hope, with the support of our junior teams' managers and coaches alike.

Under the watchful eyes of ex-professional footballer Lee Mills and Sport Development Manager, Simon King, all the current crop of academy players made the choice to join the programme and improve their footballing abilities.

The players' playing, training and development works simultaneously alongside their studying at the Dudley College of Technology.

And Stour chairman Pountney is delighted with the progess of the programme and the aforementioned success stories to date.

"The Harvey Portman story is the exact reason we decided to set this programme up - he has a very bright future ahead of him," he said.

"Myself and Andy Bullingham (vice-chairman) wanted to give our junior players a platform and an opportunity to break into our first team whilst continuing their education to take them onto university or employment.

"Dudley College was the perfect 'fit' from that point of view, the lads get to study any subject, and our players are currently working on a wide range of courses available.

"We felt as a club that it was very important this was not just about sport - it was about developing and educating people at the same time to ensure they have the best opportunities available to them in life.

"For me, that is the unique selling point of the Football Education programme we have set up."

Simon King, who is the Sports Development Manager at Dudley College echoed Pountney's words.

"We have 32 student athletes at this current moment in time, with three studying electrical installation, five studying business, one looking to accountancy, two studying A Levels, with the rest of the group working on Sport Science courses.

"I'm extremely proud of the student progression and their achievements to date - it is extremely important that all of our students achieve success both on and off the football pitch."

Head of Football and ex-Premier League striker Mills is now in his third year at the helm of the programme, and has made the best start to a season since its formation.

"We have a great group of footballers and a mixture of first, second and third year students," the former Wolverhampton Wanderers and Bradford City striker said.

"The Under 19 National League side are competing very well, as are the Under 18 Midland Floodlit League who had a good run in the FA Youth Cup too.

"Our players have wonderful facilities at their disposal at the War Memorial Athletic Ground and at Dudley College - they have access to highly qualified and experienced staff, who support the group with strength and conditioning sessions, support with injuries, nutrition and sport psychology.

"The players have everything they require to help them develop as a complete athlete, and with Mark Yates on board, there is now a clear pathway to the first team that allows them to develop, be recognised and showcase their talents at all levels of the football club.

"We believe this is just the start, and Harvey Portman has proven that the pathway is there. He has an extremely bright future in the game ahead of him, and his story means he is paving the way for further players to step up to the first team," he added.

Any aspiring footballers interested in joining the Stourbridge Football Club Academy for September 2021 are required to email Academy Manager, Lee Mills for a trial on Friday, December 11th 2020.

Current Year 11 students are to email Lee.Mills@dudleycol.ac.uk to secure your place.

You are required to provide the following details:

Preferred playing position

Secondary playing position

Current club(s)

Plus any Academy, County or District honours - please list the team(s) and season(s) represented