York City won Parliamentary praise for improving the lives of disadvantaged young people.

The club was applauded for its work with the Prince's Trust Football Initiative.

The Minstermen provide venues, work placements and motivational talks for 16 to 25-year-olds who are taking the charity's three month course.

The courses aim to give deprived young people the skills, confidence and drive to get jobs or extra qualifications - and help them steer clear of

falling into the poverty trap.

Now MPs have tabled a Westminster early day motion (EDM) "recognising and congratulating" the Division Three club for its positive role.

They said the club had helped the Prince's Trust - launched by Prince Charles - achieve "great success" by "tackling social exclusion among disadvantaged young people."

The EDM - backed by 21 MPs - added: "York City has provided the trust with

facilities and special activities, thus making a great contribution to improving the lives of young people within the locality."

Ministers were also urged to use the scheme as a template to crack poverty and deprivation in Britain's towns and cities.

York City is one of 56 Premier and Football League taking part in the Prince's Trust Football Initiative.

The initiative has helped thousands of young people to turn their lives around.

Last year 6,000 young people attended Football Initiative courses. About 75 per cent have found work or entered further education.

According to the Prince's Trust, recruitment and retention of young people

is higher on football club-linked courses than on non-football ones.

The charity attributes the success to a partnership approach.

"Instead of just asking for cash, we've made it easy for football clubs to help us," said a spokeswoman.

Updated: 11:52 Saturday, December 06, 2003