TOP coaches from an academy set up by former footballer Dave Flitcroft will be sharing their skills and expertise at a free shopping centre workshop for football mad youngsters.

The Bolton Strikerz Football Academy will visit a shopping centre for the first time, when it comes to Crompton Place on Saturday to offer first-class tuition and guidance to budding future football stars free of charge.

Usually development sessions are held throughout the year in local schools and sports complexes to give children, some as young as 18 months, the opportunity to learn new techniques, enjoy the game, meet new friends and stay active.

Strikerz was set up in 2007 by ex-professional footballer Dave Flitcroft who played for Preston North End, Chester City, Rochdale, Macclesfield Town, Bury and Hyde United before coaching at Rochdale and moving into his current job as manager of Barnsley FC.

Strikerz grew out of The John Flitcroft Foundation, established by Dave, who is Bolton born and bred, in honour of his father, a popular local businessman, who died in 2008 and was a lifelong supporter of grassroots football.

Dave, who is involved in coaching young players at his own local football club, FC Strikerz, said: “When dad died it left a massive void in my life. To help get over the tragedy I needed direction and that direction came from teaching football skills to youngsters.

“Dad’s passion for the grassroots which he also instilled in me ensures everything we do at the academy echoes his love and devotion of football.

"Every day I endeavour to coach, mentor, inspire, motivate and develop everybody I teach. I want to reach as many people as I can with dad's message, which is why I am so delighted that Strikerz Academy will be coaching at Crompton Place.”

Malcolm Angus, Crompton Place manager, added: “We are honoured to be the first shopping centre to welcome Strikerz and it is a chance for children of all ages to come and talk to the academy and football club about getting involved with football and their goals with the game.”

The workshop at Crompton Place will be aimed at children under five, though the academy works with children aged up to 16 and all young people are welcome to come along to find out more about Strikerz.

It will be staged on the ground floor at Crompton Place Shopping Centre from 11am until 4pm.

Strikerz operations manager Jonathan Walsh said: “We will organise the sessions into small groups and will have one or two of our coaches on hand throughout the day to give expert guidance.

“We’ll also have a small area set aside where the young people can come for a chat about the game and how they can improve. Anyone who comes to see us can register with us for a free development session that we run locally or talk to us about how they could come and play for the club in the Bolton and Bury League.”

There are about 300 children on the academy’s books.

For more details about Strikerz Academy, email info@strikerz.co.uk, or call 0844 824 6045.

For more information about Crompton Place, go to www.crompton-place.co.uk.