PEWSEY Vale Youth are looking to steal a march on their opponents next season by getting in some expert football coaching this weekend.

Half of the club's age group teams, which span from the U7s to the U15s, are being treated to a day with Southampton on Saturday.

The trip was organised with the Premiership team by Pewsey Vale Youth committee member Nicky Offer and is going to be the highlight of the season for the young players.

The coach load of budding footballers will first be taken to a school in Andover, Hampshire, where members of Southampton's coaching staff will put them through their paces.

In the afternoon they will be whisked to Saints' St Mary's stadium to watch the Premiership clash between Southampton and Bolton.

U10s manager Gary Winter said the boys have been looking forward to the trip for weeks.

"Nicky just got in contact with Southampton and organised the trip for the kids," said Winter. "To say they are excited about it is an understatement. We got such an overwhelming response from the boys that we've had to organise two trips.

"The first group were going to see Southampton play Newcastle earlier this month but it had to be postponed because Newcastle were playing in Europe. We are going this weekend and they are going to be doing the same thing when Southampton play Aston Villa later in the season."

Pewsey have not set their divisions on fire this season but Winter hopes the experience at Southampton will spur them on next season.

"Our highest achievers have been the U8s who have done well in their league and the U10s have reached a cup final," he added. "This was just an idea for how we could round off the season. Hopefully it will fire the boys' enthusiasm for next season."

Winter: "It is going to be good for the managers and coaches as well. We will get a chance to chat to the Southampton coaches and pick up some tips."