Former Sheffield United full-back turned fire fighter Tom Cowan is using his knowledge of football to support potential stars for the future.
Fire Blades is a joint partnership between The United Initiative (U & I), Sheffield United's award-winning community division, and South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue.
Coaches from U & I work alongside fire fighters who have been trained in football to provide a variety of courses for youngsters to improve their football skills, self-esteem and ability to work as a team.
The scheme, which is funded through Positive Activities for Young People, has only been running for more than a year, but already coaches more than 30 youngsters from the Arbouthorne and Manor areas of Sheffield.
Training at the Sheffield Springs Academy two nights a week, the scheme has grown big enough for three teams to be created, including a girl's team, to play in friendlies and community tournaments.
Cowan, who made 53 appearances for United during the early 1990s, has played an important role in developing the project with U & I coach Ismael Latif.
He said: "This has been a very successful project in a short period of time and the kids have really taken to the coaching provided to them.
"We also organised for them to visit Bramall Lane to watch Sheffield United and played in a game against Sheffield Wednesday's own Fire Service team at Hillsborough, which we won 5-0!"
Fire Blades plan to play against other South Yorkshire based teams and watch a number of Football League matches across the region.
Parent volunteers are extremely important to the sustainability of the project and, through the funding provided, two are being put through their Level 1 in Coaching football early in the new year.
Mark Todd from U&I added: 'The children who attend the sessions have been given an important focus to their week and this has helped build their confidence. We are delighted to be involved in this partnership with South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue and to see it make a positive contribution in the community."
