WITH the price of even the most mediocre players spiralling out of control, bringing youngsters through the ranks from an early age is becoming increasingly important for football.

Whether it's the big clubs grooming their own soccer superstars or the league's minnows hoping to cash in on talented youngsters just to balance the books, everyone wants to find the next Michael Owen or David Beckham.

Many of the country's top clubs have now launched football academies to improve and develop their young players and are scouring the parks and school pitches to find them.

Northwich has produced its fair share of top level footballers through the years. From Welsh international Bill Meredith at the turn of the century, Manchester City legend Alan Oakes in the 60s and 70s through to his son Michael currently playing for Aston Villa, Northwich is a hotbed of footballing talent for a town its size.

Liverpool are now hoping to discover the next generation of stars from Mid Cheshire by running coaching courses once a week with youngsters at Weaverham Community Centre.

The children are all under seven years old and are coached every Monday night for an hour by one of the Premiership club's community coaches.

The courses aim to benefit both the club by getting new fans at an early age (and the possibility of finding a star of the future) and the children by improving their football skills.

Coach Steve Hollis said: "Our main aim is to get Liverpool out into the community and promote the club.

"At the same time we're passing on our knowledge of the game to the youngsters.

"They really enjoy the activities and it's all about them having fun as well. If a youngster does jump out at us we might invite him along to the Academy when he's old enough to have a good look at him."

The Reds signed prodigy Michael Owen at the age of about 13, so many of the boys may have a few years to wait before they put pen to paper on schoolboy forms.

At present the children are simply gettting to grips with the beautiful game.

Organiser Chris Cruse added: "The kids are being taught all the basic skills from controlling the ball and passing to shooting and heading.

"We always make sure they have a mini-match at the end of the hour and it's great to see them playing the game and having fun."

The course has been running for almost two months and already some of the pint-size players are showing their potential.

Chris said: "You can spot one or two who do stand out from the others. You never know, they could be running out at Anfield in 15 years' time, which would be amazing."

Chris is hoping to establish a team from his young squad next season and has set about raising cash to help buy equipment.

"We're hoping to raise enough money to buy some indoor nets as well as a team kit so they really look the part," said Chris.

He's hosting a 'football disco' at Weaverham's Owley Wood Club on July 23 from 8pm. It costs £3 and includes live entertainment and a late bar. For details call Chris on 851639.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.