GRIMSBY Borough have announced an 'exciting' new partnership with the Grimsby Soccer Club (GSC).
The amalgamation of the two clubs will see Borough, whose first team play in the Baris Northern Counties East League Division One, extend their provision to cater for players from Under-7s right through to senior level.
GSC's Colts, girls and disability football teams will also come under the Grimsby Borough banner as part of the move.
Speaking to the Telegraph, Wilderness Boys chairman, Ken Vincent, expressed his delight at the partnership.
"We've been looking for a link-up to give Grimsby Borough Football Club a community base in the town.
"The only way we could have done that was to link-up with an established and popular junior club because, for us to set up our own junior section from scratch, it would be very difficult given the number of clubs that are already out there.
"And so, when we got a phone call from Matt Bryant, the chairman at Grimsby Soccer Club, to explore the possibility of linking-up with them, we were delighted.
"We had a discussion around the possibility of an amalgamation to create a structure that would offer young people the opportunity to go through a football club from Under-7's through to the first team, to senior football and beyond.
"It was soon very clear that everything was going to fall into place. The link-up ticks all the boxes for both clubs and we're very excited about the future."
He continued: "Grimsby Soccer Club is well established in junior football as we are in the senior side of things.
"It was exactly what we're looking for and the link-up is based on good, sound footballing knowledge.
"We're not only looking at the junior boys section but also Colts, girls and disability football so it will be a real community club."
The partnership will officially come into effect next month, with all GSC club adopting the Borough name from July 1.
Vincent accepts that the announcement is only the start, but insists there are exciting times ahead at the Bradley Community Stadium.
He added that the link-up could also benefit Grimsby Town, with Borough only too happy to alert the Mariners to potential up and coming stars from its youth set-up.
"There is a lot of work to do in the future but the initial response from both clubs has been superb," he continued
"I'm very proud to say that Grimsby Borough FC will now have a structure that caters for Under-7s right through to the first team.
"It also means that we can hopefully pass on thoughts and views on our young players to Grimsby Town.
"If we feel that we've got young players who could one day progress to that level then, with this new structure, we'll only be too happy to work with Grimsby Town.
"It's exciting news for the area and we're all really looking forward to getting started."
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