Exeter City have offered all youth players released by Torquay United the chance of a trial, after the Gulls announced they are to close their academy to cut costs.
Conference side Torquay confirmed last week that they will no longer run any youth teams for all ages below the under-18 bracket, meaning more than 120 young players from the south-west will have less chance of earning a professional deal one day.
However, the League Two club Exeter have stepped in to offer them an opportunity to impress their academy scouts, and the Grecians will also try to help the coaches of former Torquay academy teams find new employment.
The Exeter academy manager Simon Hayward said: “We are pleased that we are able to offer each of the boys a trial and a chance to become part of the club, and hopefully help many of them achieve their dream of becoming a professional footballer.
“Sadly many of those invited for a trial will not be offered registrations – we just don’t have the space to take everyone – but we feel that every player in their situation deserves the opportunity.
“Similarly we will be speaking soon with coaches who have lost their jobs at Torquay to see whether there are opportunities within our set-up and we will help them in any way we can.”
