Aston Villa Football Club is to run an Enterprise Academy to turn football-mad teenagers into future Alan Sugars.

The club has been signed up to instil an "enterprise culture" in Britain backed by Prime Minister Gordon Brown's conviction "football can be a powerful force for good" in society.

Youngsters aged 13 to 14 who might not otherwise consider careers in the business world are to be targeted by the club.

It is hoped they will be inspired through learning the enterprise and financial skills needed to run a Premiership football club to consider business as exciting.

Announcing the academy, Mr Brown highlighted the career of Karren Brady, managing director of Villa rivals Birmingham City, as a role model.

He said: "I have always felt football can be a powerful force for good in our society – projects like Midnight Football and Kickz already offer all sorts of help to young people.

"By working with local schools and colleges, clubs can introduce young people to the realities of the world of business in a way they relate to.

"The next Alan Sugar, Peter Jones or Karren Brady might end up starting their own business through a love of football."

When he was Chancellor, Mr Brown commissioned a review of the role of business in education. He became convinced of a need to "spread the spirit of enterprise from the classroom to the boardroom" and starting in schools to create a "deeper and wider entrepreneurial culture".

 Aston Villa were called upon to help build enterprise in Britain along with Manchester United.

Youngsters from five schools will take part in the three-year programme which will lead to a qualification in business. They will cover areas such as marketing, customer service, enterprise and work skills.

Incentives will be offered to encourage successful completion, such as player visits or match tickets. A spokesman for Aston Villa said last night: "The club has agreed in principle to be involved with the Enterprise Academy programme.

"Conversations are at the earliest starting point but the hope is we will start it up in September."

Regional development agency Advantage West Midlands is expected to provide funding.

Villa’s involvement follows successful pilots at Middlesbrough and Blackburn Rovers. Ministers are keen to roll out the programme to all Premiership clubs.

Business Secretary John Hutton claimed using the national sport as a means of nurturing tomorrow’s entrepreneurs would bring "business to life" and make it more relevant to young people.

"Through designing football kits, taking part in management challenges and learning about real life budgetary issues like season ticket sales, kids learn what it means to be an entrepreneur.

"Helping a new generation of youngsters build confidence in their ability to set up and run their own companies is essential if we’re to make the UK the most enterprising country in the world."

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore added: "The world of business and enterprise is an example of how a subject, when linked to how a football club operates, is made more interesting to young people."

Beverley McGillycuddy, who is setting up a Skills Academy for Financial Services in the region, said entrepreneurial skills were also vital if the local economy is to thrive.

"We need more people to open up their own businesses. If we can support them from a young age that is brilliant. The thing we are really missing is local businesses.

"It is not something we do very well in this country." Pfeg, a national charity aimed at promoting financial capability in young people, said innovative schemes such as using sports to promote finance skills could provide vital lessons.

Regional director Neil Mawdsley said: "One of the reasons a lot of businesses go bust in the first year is people may be very good at getting ideas but unless they understand the issues about cash flow and budgeting, that business is not going to be very successful.