The Braintree and Witham Times has teamed up with the Braintree Town Football Academy to give one young player the chance of a lifetime.

We are offering the opportunity of making Iron history by taking a place in the first-ever intake of students at the Academy when it opens in September.

The Academy gives talented young footballers the chance to study for vocational qualifications equivalent to A-Levels alongside daily intensive training sessions with qualified coaches and playing weekly games in the Conference Youth Alliance.

It is an exciting venture by the club and will provide young people with qualifications so they can pursue their own careers in football coaching and perhaps further their own playing aspirations.

Most places have already been filled for this year’s first intake but the Times has an exclusive offer for a position at the Academy.

All you have to do is fill in the form in this week's paper, cut it out, send it to us and we will forward on to Academy bosses, who will offer successful applicants a special one-off trial at Braintree Town FC’s Amlin Stadium from 1pm on Friday, July 6.

Players must bring boots, trainers and shin pads with them on the day and to be considered for a place at the trial, candidates must have played football at a competitive standard in the last two seasons.

Anyone can enter as long as they will be aged 16 by August 31, 2012, and will not be 19 before this date and any applicants who have been unsuccessful at earlier trials are able to re-apply.

After the trial, one lucky young player will be selected to take their place at the Academy in September and their progress through the two years of the programme will be followed by the paper.

There is also the possibility of stand-by places for other potential stars who impress at the trial.

The cut-off for receiving applications is noon on Friday, June 29, and original forms must be used from the paper.

We will then forward the applications to Academy bosses, who will contact successful candidates with a trial offer.

More information about the Academy’s teaching and football programmes is available at www.braintreetownacademy.org.uk