The Western Daily Press and Bristol City FC are creating a football version of television’s Pop Idol.
More than 80 youngsters from across the West Country are bidding to win a place at the Bristol City football academy for three years.
Called Shooting Star, it is the brainchild of Western Daily Press editor Terry Manners and Bristol City chief executive Colin Sexstone.
Sponsored by airline FlyBE, the competition aims to find the top young footballing talent living within the Western Daily Press circulation area.
Every boy who applies will be invited for a trial where their skills will be judged by coaches before about 40 are invited back for more intensive trials. They will then be whittled down to 15 finalists.
“We have had applications from across the region from Wiltshire to South Wales and from Dorset to Gloucestershire,” said Wendy Best, special projects editor at the Western Daily Press.
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