HOLKER Old Boys juniors are moving up to the Premier League after agreeing a partnership deal with Everton.

The Rakesmoor Lane club, who have 15 junior teams with 220 children playing for them, are one of just six clubs to have so far agreed a similar arrangement with the Premier League side.

Holker's under-sevens, under-11s and under-16s all kicked off their Barrow and District Junior Football League season at home last weekend, and they will be among those to enjoy the benefits of this new partnership.

“What this means is we have full support from Everton, they will be working with us coaching the coaches, coming up to Holker Old Boys and we'll be holding events where we'll be inviting children in the area to come up and have workshops with them,” said Old Boys juniors secretary Michelle Askew.

“The teams from Holker will be going down to Finch Farm to play matches against the performance teams down there and our coaches will be go down there, and Everton are here to support our club. Going forward, their coaches and scouts will be coming up and working with us.

“They're all about quality rather than quantity and we will be getting a lot more quality support from them. They came up to Holker to have a look at the facilities and ground, and were really impressed and excited to sign the partnership deal with us.”

Askew is hoping to organise a fun night with coaches from Everton at Holker's ground during the October half-term holiday, where children from the area will be invited to take part.

And she hopes budding footballers will be able to take the opportunity to progress in the game thanks to this link-up with Everton.

“They wanted to have a look in Cumbria because they realise we have a lot of talent in this area, but unfortunately it doesn't get recognised because we're so far out,” said Askew.

“But with signing this partnership deal, it will give the children in this area a lot more opportunities going forward and we were honoured they did agree this with us.

“Up to now, we have actually sent some of our players down and they have had trials with them. One of our under-12s has been called back for a second trial this month, so the opportunities are there for us to be able to progress the children in the future.”