Last Updated: Tue, 27 Nov 2012 14:47
Southampton have announced a new partnership with non-league club Eastleigh, in which they will work closer to nurture more talent.
The agreement, which will also see some of Southampton's fixtures in the Barclays U21 Premier League staged at the Spitfires' home ground, the Silverlake Stadium, has been hailed as a significant breakthrough for youth football in Hampshire.
The new link-up will see the two clubs' youth programmes share ideas and coaching as they try to find the best ways to develop local youth football.
Les Reed, Executive Director of Saints' Football Development & Support Centre (FDSC), believes the news is great for both clubs and the wider football community.
He said: "This is a great opportunity for our two clubs to form a relationship which benefits football in and around the Southampton community."
The hope is that the two clubs can work together to help scout and develop the best local talent, with the ultimate aim for Saints to ensure a continued significant amout of local rising footballing talent comes through the club's academy.
Eastleigh are currently ninth in the Blue Square Bet South, 10 points adrift of leaders Salisbury City.
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