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PROFESSIONAL ACADEMY + REALITY TELEVISION = FOOTBALL ICON

on the qualities needed.

Neil Bath, who runs Chelsea’s Youth Academy at Cobham, where much of the action is filmed says: “The programmes are intended to be inspirational for all young footballers. Who knows? We may even discover the next John Terry or Joe Cole from among the boys taking part.”

The filming follows the whole process right from the start — from the long queues of 16 and 17 year-olds, who were tested at Roadshows (pictured) around the country earlier in the summer, to the decision on who wins the coveted contract at the Chelsea Academy.

Over the first few weeks the numbers are whittled down to a final 14 by the Chelsea judges, who include former F.A. Cup winner, Eddie Newton.

This final group moves into the Football Icon Mansion in Esher, close to the Academy HQ at Cobham, where they get a taste of the lifestyle of being a top footballer.

The winner will be following in the footsteps of Sam Hurrell, who won the first series last year. It’s a sign of his talent that his contract has now been extended.

Sam has played in Chelsea’s youth team and has trained alongside many of Chelsea’s star players.

“It’s been a dream what’s happened to me over the last year,” he says. “Football Icon has changed my life.”

Football Icon 2 begins as 8pm, Friday October 6th on Sky One.

Chelsea Academy manager Neil Bath explains why Chelsea are happy to host the search.

He starts by admitting he was initially hesitant about the original concept.

“At first, even though the idea was good, I thought finding a footballer at 16 or 17 years-old who was not already playing at a professional club but was good enough to play at Chelsea would be difficult,” Bath says.

No attachment to a professional club is one of the stipulations upon entry to Football Icon.

Series One changed his mind. It was felt the positive points outweighed any potential risks.

“Having thought through the process of the search, and seen the outcome of the program, I feel it is a very positive vehicle for our Academy’s image,” he explains.

“I really believe we can utilize the TV coverage to showcase what we do at the club’s Academy, how we manage our youth development program and give the general public an exclusive insight to our work.”

Tune in to see the Academy work in progress, and to watch thousands of boys begin the quest to follow last year’s winner Sam Hurrell, the 18 year-old left back who has had his professional contract at Chelsea extended.

Last year’s project was very successful and was second only in Sky One’s viewing figures to The Simpsons!

This year both Chelsea and Sky One hope the series will be even more popular and Bath sums up by saying:

“The club are very happy with Football Icon. Our Academy have invested time and resources in the program concept and we’ve appointed a full time project manager to help develop and improve the awareness of both Football Icon and Chelsea Football Club in this country and around the world.”

Starting on England's Sky One this Friday, Football Icon returns for a second series aiming to find the Chelsea star of the future.

From thousands of young footballers who applied, one lucky winner will get a professional contract with the Blues. It’s one of the biggest searches for soccer talent ever held in the U.K.

Filmed over eight months, the ten-part series will show just what’s required to make it as a top footballer. Who’s got the talent, the dedication and the desire ?

There will be interviews with Chelsea players past and present, including John Terry, Carlo Cudicini and Graeme Le Saux, who will be passing on their advice