MARK Betts is confident Slough Town FC Academy can become a production line for future first team stars.

The Academy, located in Farnham Park playing fields, Beaconsfield Road, offers a two year full-time education and development programme, delivered in partnership with Soccer Coaching Limited.

It is expected to achieve an overall 95% success rate in its inaugural year and Betts believes it can only go from strength to strength.

Betts and Easterbrook have invested a great deal of time and effort in setting up the Academy and are pleased with the results.

"We're coming to the end of year one and four young players have already made reserve team appearances," said Betts. "We've got a new recruit of 28 lads and we are looking forward to welcoming them to the Academy in September.

"Our aim over the next three-four years is to have two or three players breaking into the first team." Betts has been developing football at Slough Town for a number years, bringing a wealth of experience in dealing with young players. He is in charge of the Academy, manages the Under-18 (U18) Allied Counties side and overseas football development at grassroots level - ages 7-16.

Betts, who will now work closely with new first team joint-managers Neil Baker and Jon Underwood, believes the Academy could provide local players with an opportunity to one day flourish in senior football.

"Over the last four years we've had a good side but I'd love to have younger boys coming through, local boys playing for Slough Town," he explained.

"There's a lot of talent in Slough and and I believe Jon and Neil will give these players the opportunity if they are able to step into their plans. Jon and Neil are the team we see to move Slough forward.

"It would be nice to see a younger Slough team rather than an older, more experienced one." Slough chairman Easterbrook added: "Mark's philosophy towards football is similar to that of Jon and Neil, everyone is currently working hard to put together a team which can compete successfully next season.

"I think we will have a younger side this year, and we're always in search of local players who have the desire and capability to play at this level an above." Commenting on the success of Betts and the Academy, Easterbrook said: "It's been a great success as the educational element of the course should enable students to pursue different sports and leisure related careers when they leave in a year's time - teaching education through sport is great way to learn.

"It's also great that as a club we can offer this to Slough children, and provide students and parents with more choice. We will have another intake in September which will take our number up to around 50.

"It's important to remember that the students are of differing abilities, however, all share a passion for football and sport in general.

"During the course of the year students are also starting to provide coaching sessions within local schools. It's been very rewarding seeing them mature and now confidently help out within the community." Last week five Academy students visited Marish Primary School in Langley where they spent the day coaching around 180 Year 5 and 6 pupils.

Betts was delighted with the response and has agreed for Academy students to regularly coach at the school from September.

SLOUGH Town are looking for new sponsors.

Sponsorship stars from as little as �50 and anyone interested should contact commercial manager Paul Lillywhite on 07598 316935 or e-mail commercial@sloughtownfc.net.

**PICK up a copy of the Observer, out now, for all the latest sports news and action, including a round-up of the most recent transfers** **FOLLOW the Observer on Twitter @Observer_sports**