Delivered in partnership with Grimsby Town Sports and Education Trust, we’re proud to offer the Grimsby Town U19 Shadow Scholarship, giving students a unique combination of football experience and full-time education.
Read on to find out more and see how we can set you on a path to a successful career in football or sports-related fields.
The Programme
The Grimsby Town U19 Shadow Scholarship is designed for talented 16-year-old players who aspire to make a career in football, pursue sports-related studies at university, or secure a job in the sports industry.
The Level 3 BTEC GTFC Football Shadow Scholarship takes place at Franklin Sixth Form College and Blundell Park, the iconic home of Grimsby Town Football Club.
What can you expect from the U19 Shadow Scholarship?
You’ll engage in three football training sessions a week, encompassing comprehensive strength and conditioning plans, developing football skills, and mastering essential techniques.
You’ll represent the Grimsby Town U19 shadow team in the EFL Community & Education Football Alliance (CEFA), competing against other U19 shadow squads from professional clubs across the country.
While pursuing your football dreams, you’ll also study for a Level 3 Sports qualification. The curriculum covers crucial subjects such as anatomy and physiology, fitness training and programming, professional development in sports, sports leadership, sports coaching, and more.
Progression
At Grimsby Town Foundation, success has been a constant companion. Check out the achievements from the last nine years:
- Twelve U19 National League & Cup Futsal Titles
- Two Regional U19 Football League Championships
- Over 115 scholars have graduated since 2014
- An impressive 100% of students secure admission to their first-choice universities
Meet the Coaches
Since 2014, Scott Drury and Mark Westerby have led the Grimsby Town Football Shadow Scholarship with incredible success, guiding the team to numerous League and Cup victories at both regional and national levels.
With extensive coaching experience and expert guidance, you will have the best mentors to help you achieve your footballing goals.
GTFC Girls U19 Football Shadow Scholarship: A New Horizon
In 2024, we launched the GTFC Girls Football Shadow Scholarship, creating a dedicated pathway for young female players to represent the Grimsby Town women's side.
The programme offers:
- Elite Coaching
- EFL CEFA League
- Personalised Study Programme
"We are thrilled to introduce the Grimsby Town Foundation female shadow scholarship in partnership with Franklin Sixth Form College,” said Scott.
“The success of the Lionesses in recent years has really increased the popularity of the female game, and we are starting to see lots of emerging talent around the town! It's, therefore, a great time to develop this U19 programme alongside the very successful male shadow scholarship.”
What can you expect from the U19 Girls Shadow Scholarship?
While pursuing your football dreams on the pitch, you’ll study at Franklin on a programme tailored to your aspirations. Choose from a combined study programme, or if you’re aiming to pursue a career in sports, our complimentary Level 3 Sports is a great choice. This course covers crucial subjects such as anatomy and physiology, fitness training and programming, professional development in sports, sports leadership, and sports coaching, giving you a great start to your sporting future.
You'll train four times a week, compete against teams from other professional clubs, take part in a regional league and enter several national competitions.
Take a look at our wide range of courses here.
Looking Ahead
At Franklin, we’re proud to offer these opportunities for aspiring footballers, both young men and women. Keep an eye on our socials for more updates. The future of Grimsby Town football starts here!
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