PENISTONE Church have entered a partnership with Indian club Bhawanipore FC Proindia Football Academy – with the aim of one day supplying Indian players for the Barnsley side.
The two clubs hope to send players and coaches to each other for training while Church could welcome teams from India to play in the UK.
The deal has been brokered by Keith Hackett, former FIFA Referee and the president of Penistone Church as well as Aparup Chakraborty, co-founder and CEO of Bhawanipore.
Chakraborty said: “It’s an honour for us to partner and get guidance from Penistone Church FC and Keith Hackett, one of the all-time greats as match officials and a successful administrator.
“As well as organising football academies, we are also focusing school football development and tournaments.
“We are also recognising the importance of counselling and mentoring of talented players of all levels.”
He added: “We will be grateful to Penistone Church FC if they can give chance to one or two players to train with, develop and possibly one day play for their club.
“This will be huge cross promotion.”
Church chairman Ian Richardson said: “We will support Bhawanipore in providing all-round development via support from the UK.
“We are also hoping for a coach or coaches to get the opportunity to visit India as well, should the opportunity arise.
“This will assist them in identifying any talent early and then support player development.”
Penistone secretary David Hampshire added: “We are hopefully looking forward for a yearly exchange programmes where we hope to see under 15 or 17 teams from India over to play games in the UK”.
