ROB Scott says businesses can make "a massive difference" to the Mariners and Grimsby's youngsters by joining The Century Club.
The Mariners joint boss has heralded the initiative which wants 100 companies to pledge £200 each to help sustain and grow Grimsby Town's Youth set-up.
Developed jointly by the club and the Grimsby Telegraph, the scheme is already proving a huge success, with businesses from near and far getting onboard.
Scott broke into the professional ranks as a player after learning his trade with youth teams at non-league level.
And he believes many others could have the chance to do the same at Blundell Park – provided the financial backing exists.
"The Century Club is a great scheme for youngsters in Grimsby and for the football club," he told the Telegraph.
"It's great that we can work within the community and look after the youngsters.
"With the businesses that do step forward, it will be largely down to them that we can continue to do what we're doing with the Youth set-up.
"Everybody knows how hard things are economically at the moment, so if people can spare a little bit of money, that really could make a massive difference."
Following Town's exit from the Football League, external funding for the club's Youth department has dried up.
But under the guidance of Youth team boss Adam Smith and new Academy manager Alan Lamb, the Mariners are determined to continue producing talented, young players.
Scott added: "With Adam managing the Youth team, and Alan coming into the club, we're trying to take it on again. The foundations are there and we're aiming to build on that.
"We don't get anything from outside of the club because we're no longer in the league.
"We're working on that with the first-team, to get back into the league and get that funding back, but nothing's a gimme.
"So it's fantastic for the community to pull together and we're hoping that more young players come through the system like Dayle Southwell, Andi Thanoj and Bradley Wood, and break into the first-team."
Along with the successful Trawling the Town initiative, Scott hopes that this could help ensure that the area's youngsters end up playing for their local club.
He said: "It's difficult when you're competing against Hull, Scunthorpe, Doncaster and the Sheffield clubs.
"We've had a lot of youngsters come up through the lower age groups and then get poached, but that's the nature of the beast unfortunately.
"As a football club, we're trying to make it appealing to come and play here and give them that opportunity.
"There's plenty of young talent out there – it's about capturing it and these schemes are certainly likely to bring good players into the club."
To join up to The Century Club, call Grimsby Town's commercial manager Dave Smith on 01472 608007.
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