WANDERERS legends John McGinlay and David Lee are teaming up again to coach a new club in the Manchester League.

Entitled UoB Bolton Borough FC, the outfit will play their home games at the Whites academy in Lostock, with two or three matches also scheduled for the UniBol.

The venture has been launched by the University of Bolton and Bolton Wanderers in the Community and is aimed at offering opportunities for players to continued studying in higher education levels, whilst continuing to play football at a high standard.

McGinlay will be director of football at the new club, with Lee taking the role of head coach – his first job in management since leaving Wanderers last summer.

Now the pair are holding trials at the academy on Saturday, July 17, to assemble a squad which will compete in the second division of the Manchester League on August 7.

BWitC has worked with Bolton College, part of the University of Bolton Group, for two years to build a highly successful elite development squad, which recently won a National College League title.

Former Scotland international McGinlay is Wanderers’ 10th highest goal-scorer of all time, having netted 118 times in 245 games between 1992 and 1997.

He believes the new club offers an exciting pathway for young footballers to combine their studies with top-quality football.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for youngsters to get involved in a good standard of football and be coached by David Lee and the Bolton Wanderers in the Community coaches,” he said.

“We all know that in the Academy system just one per cent of youngsters make it – making it in professional football is incredibly tough.

“This is a great opportunity for those excellent footballers who will be given the best educational opportunity to pursue their chosen career should they not be offered a professional contract, whilst maintaining the standards and links for 'late developers' to transfer back onto the professional ladder.

“Instead of being left to struggle, they can potentially join our new club, be coached by the likes of David and extend their studies at the same time, with access to work and project-based placements and experience at a renowned professional club.”

A limited number of squad places could be available for non-students for those who have the appropriate skill levels.

Bolton College girls' elite development squad kicks off this September, and a similar pathway through to higher education, coupled with being a UOB Bolton Borough Girls squad member, will follow.

Professor George E Holmes DL, President and Vice Chancellor of the University of Bolton, added: “This is a very exciting collaboration between the University and Bolton Wanderers in the Community. It is wonderful to be able to work with the town’s football club to provide great opportunities for our local young people.”

To register your interest in taking part in the trials for UoB Bolton Borough FC on July 17, contact Bolton Wanderers in the Community: enquiries@bwitc.org.uk