BARNSLEY College has partnered with Barnsley Women’s Football Club to launch a new academy aimed at finding future stars - and potentially even the next Bethany England.

The side, who play in the FA Women’s National League Division One North, have made the move to reinforce their existing relationship with the college - which has already seen girls aged ten to 16 progress through the club’s Emerging Talent Centre (ETC).

The Barnsley Women’s FC Academy, based at the college’s Honeywell campus, will continue the club’s progress in that regard by allowing them to identify and nurture talent.

The club currently play their football at Sheffield’s Olympic Legacy Park, but have been in talks with the college to bring the club back to Barnsley at a completely new site.

Izzy O’Neill, who plays for the college team and Barnsley Women’s reserves as a striker, said: “The academy will give more opportunities for players - at the college, we have three men’s teams but we’ve got one and we barely have enough for one team.

“I don’t think people really know what opportunities they have, but this will help show that.

“Beth England really inspires me - she’s from Barnsley and now she’s playing for England.

“Barnsley is quite a small town and you don’t really expect people from here to get those sorts of chances.”

Steve Maddock, CEO of Barnsley Women’s Football Club, added: “This will be a great thing for the town - it’s about promoting the town and having the best place we can.”