BOLTON County Football Club is aiming to bridge the gap between youth and adult football by setting up an under-18s team.

The club, who are currently fifth in Division Two, are looking for any u18s or u16s team who are unable to progress in their current club to join them at Radcliffe Road.

First team manager Mark Ormrod is hoping for an opportunity to cast his eye over a new crop of talented players who are looking to stay in the Bolton area and have the skills to move up to second, and eventually, first team football.

“We run u18s and adult teams so we can offer progression,” he said.

“The vast majority of my first team have come through the ranks at Bolton County and we are also looking at creating a second team.

“Youngsters from clubs like Bolton Lads and Girls have nowhere to go after u16s. But we can give teams a chance to move as a group and continue playing together.”

Ormrod, who is targeting a top-two finish this season, is becoming increasingly frustrated with the weather after Bolton County’s derby match at CMB was postponed due to a frozen pitch on Saturday.

“It’s difficult to keep the lads motivated because they are looking at the weather forecast and thinking the game is going to be off,” he said.

“It would have been nice to take advantage of CMB’s first defeat too.

“We’ve got a positive committee and chairmen in Gareth Lindsay and Stewart Dawes who really want to push the club forward.

“Considering we haven’t had the support network of a second team this season, we are in a good position in the league and I think we could claim second or third spot.”