THE BBC have given a date for the new CBBC documentary series following Saints academy, with the show kicking off on October 24.

The series will follow everything from retain or release contract decisions and capture every moment of euphoria and near break as the young athletes progress while also learning from the academy coaches and parents who make up their support networks

England international players James Ward-Prowse, Nathan Redmond, Theo Walcott and Kyle Walker-Peters, and others in the Saints first team, will take part in challenges with the academy squad across the series.

Ward-Prowse said: “As a graduate of the academy, I know first-hand how the incredible staff and coaches there can nurture talent into some of the best in the world.

"This fly on the wall CBBC series really shows off our young players’ talent and lively personalities in equal measure – I’m looking forward to tuning in.”

Across the series we meet Kiki and Queenie, 9-year-old twin girls who play in the year above them and enjoy nothing more than taking on the boys’ teams.

The series also follows the story of 15-year-old Harry, who is smaller than his peers but has tremendous strength and speed, as he nervously waits to see if he will be rewarded with a new contract for his impressive technical skills.

Other budding young football stars include para players Flo and Ellie, who have a passion for football and supporting other para players on the pitch, and a football mad family of four boys, with two of the brothers already playing at the academy and the other two knocking at the door.

The broadcaster has said the new programming, which will be produced across Britain, will “reflect the lives of children in the UK”.

This comes after the broadcaster announced that CBBC will end as a linear TV channel in the next few years and is expected to move online to iPlayer.

The new documentary series, titled Football Academy, will explore the highs and lows of this season’s intake of young footballers while comedian Alan Carr narrates the show.

Carr’s father Graham is a former professional footballer and team manager.

There will also be appearances from football stars Mo Salah, Micah Richards and Alan Shearer, who is a graduate of the Southampton Academy.

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