VLUK Pontefract Collieries Football Scholarship Programme

11/10/2026

Another Scholar to make their first team debut at Step 4. Great work Alfie. Hopefully just the start 💙👏⚽️

09/10/2026

As well as our normal week, we welcomed Primus Sports Partners to give a guest speaking session regarding the chance to go and play/ study abroad, in places such as America and Australia.

With several of our previous learners loving life across the pond, we are looking forward to seeing our current crop work towards their goals of playing overseas in the future.

09/10/2026

Another good week for the programme as learners kept progressing through their work in the classroom, with some great first assignments submitted.

In the games this week, we had two male fixtures. First, a top of the table clash against a very strong Guiseley team. The team were fantastic from the very first whistle and were well worth their 7-3 victory. We were disappointed to concede the way we did, but our attacking play was outstanding.

Well done to both teams for a very good game of football.

We also travelled to Rotherham Utd in the NYFL and continued a very positive start to the season with a 5-1 victory. A late own goal being the only dampener on a good performance.

Victories in both games meant that we consolidate in 2nd position in both the National Youth Alliance and National Youth Football League.

Also, our partnership with Pontefract New College saw Mia and Izzy both play well in the female teams 2nd game of the season in a 6-0 victory against Greenhead college which keeps up their 100% start to the season.

A big week ahead with 4 games, including Friday night’s 3rd Qualifying Round game against Newcastle Blue Star. 7:30pm kick off, Friday 16th October at the Hunters Stadium.

Colls.

04/10/2026

A fantastic night on Friday, as we overcame a very decent Handsworth team in the FA Youth Cup.

We will now entertain Newcastle Blue Star in the final Qualifying Round of this year's competition.

The tie will be played W/C 12th October.

Genuinely ecstatic by the 2nd half performance. Thanks to everyone for great support and all the best to Handsworth for the season.

Colls 💙

02/10/2026

On Wednesday, we travelled to Ossett Utd in the National Youth Football League.

Ossett went ahead against the run of play but we eaqualised on the stroke of half time through a great Ryley strike.

2nd half we were better and dominated the ball and Ryley crossed for Mitch to put us 2-1 up early on.

Ryley then rounded the keeper and put us 3-1 up, but we conceded a goal almost instantly. With 30 minutes still to go, Charlie twisted his ankle and unfortunately we had just used our last sub so down to 10 we went.

Harrison then got on the end of a ball and rounded the keeper, who put a very poor tackle on our forward. The keeper was booked, we scored as Abbas' free kick was parried to Mitch who scored his second, but Harrison was forced off and we had to see nearly 25 mins out with 9 men!!!!

But that we did. A resolute defence didn't really allow any more chances and we saw out a 4-2 win in difficult circumstances.

We wish Charlie and Harrison speedy recoveries and well done to everyone for their efforts.

Colls 💙

02/10/2026

Did someone say FA Youth Cup Day?

We are looking forward to entertaining Handsworth tonight in the 2nd Qualifying Round.

8pm kick off at the Hunters Stadium.

See you there ;)

Colls 💙⚽️

25/09/2026

A massive congratulations to students Mia and Kaylem who got some very good news over the summer.

Mia studied maths and English with us last year and achieved fantastic grades, whilst Kaylem resat his maths and also got a great grade which we are delighted with.

Well done both.

25/09/2026

A mixed bag this week in the games. We continued our strong start in the National Youth Alliance League as we travelled to a strong Gateshead team. We raced into a 2-0 lead with goals from Louis Hart and Arron Hudson.

Unfortunately we conceded 2 quick goals late in the game to mean we came away with a point.

A disappointing first half performance in the National Youth League saw us 3-0 down at half time V UFCA. We played much better in the 2nd half and had several good chances, hit the post twice but a 4th goal killed the contest and saw us fall to a first defeat of the season on the whole programme.

A 3rd squad entertained Maltby Academy in the first game of the Sheffield Flexi campaign and a heavy win and a good performance. Goals for Kaylem, Ethan, Ben, Stephen, Oliver and Jay saw us romp home to a comfortable victory.

Well done all for your efforts this week.

Looking forward to next weeks games: Away to Ossett Utd in the National Youth League, home to Minsthorpe in the Sheffield Flexi and home to Handsworth in the FA Youth Cup.

25/09/2026

We are back in action next week in the FA Youth Cup as we entertain Handsworth at the Hunters Stadium. It is an 8pm Kick Off, Friday 2nd October. All support is welcome 🙂

Colls

23/09/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GW9KnVscJ/

Huge congratulations to twins Isaac and Baden Binsley, who both achieved high grades in their BTEC courses at our Pontefract campus in AY25 and have since launched their own sports coaching business, Intensity Coaching. Their time at VLUK helped give them the skills, confidence and guidance to take their next steps and they’ve now gone one step further by becoming a sponsorship partner of Pontefract Collieries FC Men’s Team! Isaac and Baden are also two of seven learners from the BTEC programme over the past three academic years who are now working with the football community club in a range of roles