NTU Football and Lincoln City Football Club partnership

The new partnership will see high performing players from the Nottingham Trent performance programme being monitored by Lincoln City staff, as well as being given the opportunity to play a high level of non-league football and potentially train with Lincoln City. The players will work under the guidance of Tom Shaw, NTU Head of Football and Lincoln City Professional Development Phase Lead Coach, and the two institutions will undertake joint recruitment activities, to ensure the very best players outside the professional game are given the chance to develop as students and athletes.

Players who are part of the programme will also receive access to the NTU Sport Scholarship programme, which includes on-site Strength & Conditioning and Physiotherapy, Nutritional and Psychological support, access to a 1/1 lifestyle mentor as well as significant assistance with academic flexibility where required, to ensure that all of those on our programme meet their potential in both academics and sport. Players who join the programme will be part of one of the leading programmes in University Football, having reached the BUCS Semi-Finals in 2019/20, only missing out on a spot in the final in extra time.

Chris Campbell, Performance Sport Manager at NTU added, “We are absolutely delighted to be working with Lincoln City FC to provide student-athletes the opportunity to be part of a unique partnership which will see them achieve a high level academic qualification whilst also still having the opportunity to play a high level of football. The foundation of all our successful programmes at NTU Sport have always been partnerships with organisations who share our vision for inspiring potential in student-athletes. By signing this agreement with Lincoln City, it gives us access to a new group of players who might not have considered university as a viable option in the past, and we look forward to working with them to allow them to achieve excellence on the field of play and in the classroom."

Jez George, Lincoln City Head of Football commented, “We are delighted to be partnering with Nottingham Trent University. They have an excellent football provision and a shared ethos in developing young footballers.Tom’s unique position, across both organisations, also gives us the opportunity to create real synergy and alignment. I have long believed that an education provision should be available for aspiring professional footballers aged 18 and older, and this is one strand of how Lincoln City are working to achieve that. We feel this partnership gives exceptionally gifted young footballers across the country, many with experience within the Academy system, potential access into professional football alongside their studies. Many years ago, I was fortunate enough to work with Robbie Simpson at a young age and he achieved a Degree in Sports Science & Mathematics, before embarking on a 12 year career in professional football. We believe this partnership can provide the same opportunity for many others and Lincoln City is looking forward to working with NTU to achieve this aim.”

Tom Shaw, NTU Head of Football and Lincoln City Professional Development Coach said “We have worked tirelessly over the last three seasons to establish NTU football as an elite University sport program, competing in the BUCS Premier Division with outstanding results. We have created an environment at NTU for players and coaches to flourish, priding ourselves on hard work and humility to enjoy the success that follows. This unique partnership with Lincoln City, provides student-athletes with a potential pathway into professional football. Our current students and new recruits will have the opportunity to represent NTU in the BUCS Championship, compete in the upper-tiers of Non-league with their external club and potentially train under the watchful eye of Lincoln City Football Club. I feel this unrivalled and innovative concept gives young, ambitious student-athletes a great platform to achieve their goals on and off the pitch”

Tom Weaver, NTU Football Sports Scholar said “Having spent the last year as part of NTU football I have watched the program grow, resulting in an excellent season this year reaching the BUCS Championship Semi-final. I left Sheffield United after completing a Scholarship and joined NTU hoping to find a career pathway whilst still enjoying my football in an elite environment. NTU football has given me some brilliant experiences so far and the new partnership will hopefully help current players and the new lads that join us find a successful route with their football, alongside setting ourselves up for working life”

Any prospective student athletes who are interesting in finding out more about the programme, should contact NTU Head of Football Tom Shaw at tom.shaw@ntu.ac.uk