WATFORD'S Academy created its own piece of history yesterday (Thursday), when they joined with the Harefield Academy to accept the first 35 students to their new joint venture partnership.

Hornets' manager Aidy Boothroyd was on hand from 8am at the school gates to meet and greet the pupils of Harefield, and in particular the group of footballers that it is hoped will provide the next generation of Vicarage Road stars.

Having overhauled the workings of the Watford Academy, the club hope to give young English footballers the kind of learning opportunities that are commonplace in many European countries.

There has been continued recent media coverage of the perceived failings of the English system, making this announcement all the more timely for both Watford and the wider footballing community.

Watford are leading the way with their innovative scheme by giving their youngsters more exposure to technical coaching while also ensuring they receive a first-class education with the aim of producing not just accomplished footballers but also well-rounded young men.

Harefield Academy

Speaking of the watershed moment, boss Boothroyd said: "I am delighted that at Watford we're doing our bit for English football. I was at the opening of the Harefield Academy yesterday, to welcome in the 35 students that will take part in a scheme where they will be educated in football and academic work, and be grown as young men.

"It's a good week for Watford with us being the first club, yes, the first club to do this with our Academy. But what's more important is that we're not the last club.

"People like David Dodds, Nick Cox and Mark Warburton in particular have worked extremely hard on this project, Lynn Gadd and Pat Cottis have pushed it for Harefield. That's not forgetting of course our part of the bargain, and Graham Simpson, who has seen fit to agree to the whole venture."

Building on an existing partnership with local school the Harefield Academy which gives young players in the Watford system access to the state-of-the-art sports facilities at the school, players identified as 'talented and gifted' have today become full time pupils at Harefield.

In some instances this has seen parents making crucial decisions over the future schooling of their children, whilst for the children it has taken considerable courage to switch school mid-stream.

Harefield Academy

The Harefield Academy was granted 'academy' status by the Department of Education with the remit of providing specialised opportunities for talented young sports people, with the aim of producing a crop of medalists for the 2012 Olympics in London.

The new relationship between Harefield and Watford Football Club has seen today's group of 35 children aged between 11 and 14 years old become full time pupils following a specific timetable tailored to allow their football development to sit alongside their education.

The key difference between the old system and the new is that Watford's Harefield students will receive between 15 and 20 hours per week of specialised football coaching compared to a previous total of only 5 or 6 hours.

The special timetable will give pupils three times more contact time with specialised football coaches with the added benefit of a significant improvement in the quality of life for both the boys and their families.