SKILFUL scholar Brian Dutton is heading for Cambridge after graduating from York College's football development centre with honours.

Dutton, 18, is the first student from the centre to break into the professional game after being offered a contract with Third Division Cambridge United.

Born in Malton, Dutton is a former Norton College student and if he makes the first team at Cambridge could find himself lining up against York City in the not too distant future.

Dutton had reached the final trial for the national team of the English Colleges' Football Association but has since withdrawn from the selection process after signing professional forms.

Last season, the teenager played a number of games for Pickering Town in the Northern Counties East League premier division.

Pikes boss Steve Brown said: "Brian has a natural talent and is full of enthusiasm for the game.

"We are all pleased that we have had a part to play in him gaining his first professional contract."

York College's director of football and York City legend Gordon Staniforth believes Dutton has a bright future in the professional ranks.

He said: "Brian has worked very hard over the last two seasons.

"He possesses a good touch and he understands the game. We will miss him, especially as we are having a great season, but realise that we are a development centre and all our good players will move on to better things."

Dutton's offer of a contract followed a goalscoring performance for Cambridge United reserves in their recent 3-2 triumph over Millwall.

He said: "I was taken off after half an hour, and they told me that they'd seen enough.

"I'm delighted, and so is my dad, although my mum is sad to see me leaving. I can't wait to get started."

Dutton's move into the professional ranks is a major boon and a ringing endorsement of the football development centre at York College.

At the centre, students aged between 16 and 19, who combine a high level of footballing ability with commitment, undertake full-time vocational qualifications as a compulsory part of their programmes.

Away from the classroom and out on the football pitch, the students develop their footballing skills with top-level coaching.

They also play weekly in an Academy League, when they take on other teams from colleges boasting similar set-ups.

The vocational qualifications can lead to a variety of careers, from coaching to sports and leisure management.

But one of the underlying aims of the centre is to provide talented youngsters who may have been released from clubs or slipped through the scouting network another chance to get back into the professional game.

Updated: 09:45 Saturday, November 29, 2003