Sussex youngsters who fail to make the grade with Albion and other professional clubs are being offered a lifeline at Peacehaven.

The County League division one club have re-formed their first and second teams so aspiring professionals can gain match practice and experience.

The pioneering idea was devised by former Albion player Colin Woffinden who hopes it will improve the standard of football in Sussex.

Woffinden's scheme has the backing of the County FA chairman Ron Pavey, BHASVIC College, plus Dean Wilkins and Martin Hinshelwood who run Albion's youth set-up.

The players will train and play for Peacehaven without committing to a contract, so if another club comes in for them they are free to go.

Woffinden said: "It can act as a safety net for Albion. Making the decision to release young players is not an easy one but it has to be done.

"By setting up this extension to Albion's schools of excellence we can continue to coach and guide young players, as well as help them adapt into senior football.

"This could be an opportunity for players to go into professional football. You get boys who grow up a bit later than others and for anybody who has the quality to get into a school of excellence, this could be the ideal opportunity to prolong their learning.

"Charlton's John Robinson is a great example because he was young for his year but he got an extra 12 months in the Brighton youth team and now look at him.

"There are plenty of examples of youngsters from Sussex who have gone on to make it after knock backs. Players like Paul Ifill, Simon Rodger and Steve Brown.

"Anyone up to the age of 20 can come and train with us and if they are good enough they will get a reputation and can go from there.

"If we can get one or two back to really senior football then it will be a success."

Woffinden has enlisted help from the likes of Wilkins, Hinshelwood, Alan Sanders, Steve Ford, Dave Sargeant and Dennis Burnett to take coaching sessions and he hopes to attract other names once the season is up and running.

Hinshelwood has thrown his support behind the scheme which needs to attract more players to get going.

He said: "We have just let 12 boys go and when you have known them since their pre-teens it is hard. We take boys on pro contracts who at the time have a good chance of making it as a professional. Just because we let boys go doesn't mean they are not going to become footballers.

"Colin is trying to put in place something that will provide the opportunity for lads to play their way back into the game.

"It is a good idea and I will take an interest and help as much as I can."

Young footballers who are interested in training with Peacehaven are invited to a meeting tomorrow at Piddinghoe Avenue, 7.30 pm.

Peacehaven's chairman for more than 30 years Jim Edwards says he is happy to embrace the idea.

Edwards is disillusioned with mercenary non-league players demanding large sums of money for playing.

The reforms at Piddinghoe Avenue could also affect manager Nigel Nash.

Edwards said: "We are going to give it a go and see how it goes. It is a trial, a radical move and it may not work out but we are willing to try.

"Players are demanding £40 to £90 a week to play for us and we can't afford to do it. We need to get some youngsters in and if we help them with their football education then that's great.

"The money players want from County League clubs is bleeding us dry and the thing is the older players aren't that good either."