Championship giants Charlton Athletic have approached Faversham Town with a view to establishing a breeding ground for future professional talent in the town.

Lilywhites boss Ray Turner revealed the Addicks had contacted the Salters Lane club with a view to establishing a Charlton Athletic Community Trust (CACT) Football Academy, in conjunction with the club, starting as soon as next season.

The Academy will be aimed at talented football players between the ages of 16 and 18, with three trial dates arranged in the next three months at the Shepherd Neame Stadium.

Town manager Turner revealed: “The possibility of a link-up with Charlton is absolutely fantastic news. It says a lot about the club and the way things have been going on and off the field that Charlton approached us about the possibility of establishing an academy here.”

CACT has teamed-up with Soccer Coaching Limited (SCL) to manage and deliver the programme, with the possibility that a 3G pitch could be developed at the Salters Lane site in the future.

The two-year programme offers a Diploma in Sport Level 2/3 and coaching qualifications as well as core skills in maths and English, which would allow players to continue to university or take-up jobs within sport at the end of the course.

Academy teams compete in the Youth Conference and British College Leagues and receive professional coaching by UEFA A and B licensed coaches with a view to them progressing into the Addicks’ reserve and even first-team squads.

Turner added: “To have the opportunity to train full-time is the pinnacle for a young player. It would bring players on so quickly. Hopefully it’s something that will become established and something the club can be very proud of.”

Trials will will take place on Monday, March 30 (5pm-7pm), Tuesday, April 14 (10am-12pm) and Friday, May 15 (5pm-7pm).

To book a trial visit www.wearescl.co.uk while for more information on the academy visit www.cact.org.uk

Faversham are at home to Carshalton on Saturday (3pm).