YOUNG footballers aiming for the big time can now follow their dream without giving up their education.

Swindon College is going to continue its link up with top non-league side Forest Green Rovers, which it launched last year.

The scheme lets youngsters play football for Stroud-based Forest Green's youth side while studying full-time at the College.

And the College has pledged to expand the course from this year's intake of 15 to up to 25 students next year.

Forest Green youth coach, Duncan Riddle, who once played for Swindon Town, takes three training sessions a week with the students.

He said: "The course has been a big success. Obviously there were one or two teething troubles but nothing serious and we are looking forward to expanding it next year.

"The youngsters have played for Forest Green's youth team and our manager Nigel Spink is not afraid of playing any of these youngsters in the first team if they prove good enough.

"I don't want to pick out individuals but there are players on this course who could make a decent wage out of semi-pro non league football and might even make the step up to the Football League.

"The all important factor is that football does not take precedence over their education."

Forest Green play in the Vauxhall Conference, just one division below the Football League.

The 15 students are free to choose any course at the college but are not allowed to attend the coaching sessions if they are missing lessons or under-performing in their academic work. Sport related courses have proved popular among the footballers, as well as public service courses which help towards a career in the police force.

The pupils will play in the South West Counties League and for Rovers in the FA Youth Cup. All players will play for the youth team and the opportunity is there for the best youngsters to take their place in the first team.

Former England and Aston Villa star Nigel Spink, the Rovers' first team manager, said: "It is great to have the partnership with the college. The educational side gives the youngsters skills and interests that can lead to long term careers."

Students delighted by course

Defender, Ben Jarrett, 17, from West Swindon, said: "The course is going really well, my game has come on massively since I started it.

"My ambition is to be a professional footballer and if it wasn't for this scheme I would have dropped my education in favour of football.

"Now I know that I've got my education to fall back on if football doesn't work out."

Midfielder Craig Shand, 18, from West Swindon, said: "The coaching has been good, it's improved my fitness a lot.

"I'm studying for an IT A-level so while I want to play at as high a level as possible if it doesn't work out I can go into computing. I'm lucky to have this opportunity."