When Darren Carter scored the penalty that sent Birmingham City into the Premiership it represented the fruition of years of investment.

Born and bred in Solihull, Carter was the golden product of the club's youth academy where he had received his footballing education since he was a teenager.

Now, up to 80 football-mad students from Birmingham could find the chance to play in the big leagues within their grasp following the launch of a new football development school in the city.

The school is the brainchild of South Birmingham College and Birmingham City Football Club and was officially launched by Alan Birks, principal of the college, and Blues captain Kenny Cunningham yesterday.

It is believed to be the only school of its kind in the UK and is currently inviting students to apply ready for when it opens its doors in September.

As a season ticket holder at West Bromwich Albion, Mr Birks said he feared he might have his season ticket rescinded for teaming up with Blues.

But he said he felt the partnership represented a fantastic opportunity for both the college and prospective students.

He said: "We realised that it would be a good idea to try and recruit lots of students from across Birmingham and provide a programme of mixed football and further education for any possible contenders who think they could make it in football.

"It is a way of trying to reengage young people in learning and a way for the club to put something back into the community." The school will provide students with the opportunity to develop their football and coaching skills to a professional level while at the same time obtaining a sound educational grounding.

The study programme will offer students NVQ level one and two courses, which will be structured to allow entry into the workplace or even university. Students will spend five mornings a week doing football training and will then be expected to spend the rest of the day at one of the college's campuses pursuing their studies.

Mr Birks said: "There will be lots of flexibility in the programme and the students can decide how much football they want to do on top of their work - be it business studies, construction or plastering."

"Eventually we hope to extend the school and have up to 400 students, but it must be remembered that this is much broader than a football academy approach."

Cunningham said he was impressed with the new school and praised the grounding it would give teenagers.

He said: "I think it's a worthwhile programme combining a full-time education in a useful trade with a full-time education in football."

A spokesman for Birmingham City Football Club said: "It's a great opportunity for people who are in full-time education to make their dreams come true and get a shot at playing for a professional football club.

"The club is not relying on players to come through but we will be keeping an eye out for any talent on show and they can rest assured that if any is spotted the club will take a look."