HOME AND AWAY

Ever fancied clearing out the dusty doll's house and piles of old magazines from your spare bedroom - then replacing them with a budding footballer?

Well, that's handy as Luton Town FC Academy are looking to recruit potential host families to support their young players.

Many of the club's academy starlets are from further afield than Luton's traditional catchment areas, so need locally-based families to take them under their wing.

Luton Life visited LTFC's training ground at The Brache to speak to Player Care Officer Wayne Polson about this vital part of player development.

“It is a nervous environment to be in. But once you get to know the host and the family, you become part of it. The host family concept is quite nurturing and they have that natural skill set to look after people,” said Wayne.

And the feedback from the players we spoke to who are currently benefitting from hosting was overwhelmingly positive.

Tobias Braney, 19, from Essex. Forward.

“My hosts are massive Luton fans, so they're really interested in what I'm doing. You do get close to them and you're naturally going to bond. It does feel like a second family. I have to make my own bed every morning. We usually have breakfast and lunch here [training ground] so it's just dinner. They always make decent meals so it's pretty easy.”

Claude Kayibanda, 16, from North London. Defender.

“With time, you get used to a new environment and a new family, so it all gets better. You get to meet them before and get a tour around the area, so it's good. It's very positive and we've got a good bond. They make your life easier.”

“Being alone at somewhere you're not really used to is a bit of a different environment. I'm used to being at home with my parents, seeing them every day. But it's commitment and, if you want to get to where you want to be, that's what you have to do.”

If you feel you would be able to successfully support some of LTFC's young players, e-mail Wayne.Polson@lutontown.co.uk for more details.