Preparations for both the upcoming pre-season campaign and next season are progressing well for those involved with City's Football and Education Scholarship.
Despite the continuing outbreak of coronavirus, the programme - run by the club's Community Foundation - continues to progress and attract more popularity.
Coach Adam Fox admits the current conditions have made progress more difficult but is confident another developmental 12 months lay in wait.
He said: "It is obviously very strange at the moment, however the conditions give us staff still working the opportunity to spend more time planning pre-season and ensuring what we deliver next year for the scholars is even better.
"Last season was brilliant for our first proper season in 11-a-side football and we are really proud of the lads and how they were - not only in the games and training, but also day-to-day, around the ground and with their education.
"The main highlights from the football side have been seeing some of the lads have the opportunity to train with the club's under-18 side.
"Some of the players have also been selected for the league-representative team, playing against professional clubs such as Chelsea and Nottingham Forest."
Looking further ahead, Fox is also pleased with the demand of the scholarship and the current uptake of future participants.
He added: "We are very excited about the new guys coming onto the scholarship. We have met with them a couple of times already - face-to-face.
"While the current lockdown has hampered some forms of contact, in a way, it has been a positive because we are in daily contact with the boys and girls.
"They have been involved with the fitness plans, daily challenges and team meetings we have held online during this period.
"This is invaluable as it gives us time to get to know them ahead of pre-season - due to start at the end of July."
The Football and Education Scholarship is open to all school leavers - boys and girls - whether you are an elite footballer or simply looking to pursue in a career in sport.
If you are interested in applying - or for further information - please contact Adam Fox on 07402 189592 or by e-mailing adam.fox@bcfccommunity.co.uk.