We are one of five clubs the Blades have selected for a partnership around Yorkshire/North Derbyshire. The deal also includes a friendly at the Welfare Ground (details to be confirmed).

Emley will benefit from players joining them from Sheffield United's academy. There will also be opportunities for our coaching staff to observe and learn from their counterparts at Bramall Lane.

Sheffield United are hoping to tap into talent closer to home and develop stronger links across the area.

This announcement completes a hat-trick of exciting developments across the footballing side of the Emley family. Our development squad will play in the higher Lancashire League in 2013-14 and the club's commitment to developing young local talent has been underlined by the appointment of Richard Spychalski as the head of our new Under-19s set-up.

Pre-season starts in earnest with the first of our friendly fixtures on Wednesday night at Kinsley Boys (originally Tuesday night).

**More details on our Sheffield United link up can be found in tonight's Examiner - link to follow**