Lejaun Simmons, the Ilkeston FC striker, is making strides on and off the field after being offered an apprenticeship as part of the club’s education programme.

For Simmons, it is another step in the right direction having recently broken into the non-League side’s first team after impressing for their reserves and Academy.

The former Devonshire Cougars player, who scored seven goals for Ilkeston’s Academy last season, will begin a course in sports coaching and activity leadership in the coming weeks.

“It was pleasing to be offered this position because I see it as another step forward in life and the qualifications I get will help me along after my football career,” he said.

“I’m definitely going to take the opportunity with both hands and make the most of what I’ve been given.

“It will give me chance to fall back on new skills after I’ve finished with football.

“I guess I’m just lucky that I’ve ended up at Ilkeston and I’m looking forward to getting started and getting back into class because it’s been a while.”

Dave Mantle, the Ilkeston chairman, helps provide the link between the boots and the books for the team’s players. He is also managing director at SR Education which has close ties with the club.

Mantle said Simmons had expressed an interest in gaining qualifications and that Ilkeston were happy to reward the 20-year-old for his hard work and dedication.

“Lejaun has had a fantastic attitude and work ethic since he arrived at the club,” he said. “He has quietly applied himself to improving his performance and fitness and we are all delighted that he has broken into the first-team squad this season.

“He has shown that with hard work and application you can progress through our system and earn the right to play in our first team.

“Lejaun has also expressed an interest in gaining qualifications and we have agreed to offer him an apprenticeship in sports coaching and activity leadership. He will form part of our new community coaching workforce who will offer coaching to local schools as well as assisting our coaching staff at the club.”

Simmons has set himself a target of becoming a regular first-team starter as well opening his senior goalscoring account.

“I’m enjoying every last bit of my time here, the staff around the club treat you good and it is nice be around the players,” said the former Bermuda Hogges player. “At first when I came along, I was a little shy, so they made my stay here much easier. The only thing I can complain about is the weather.

“I love playing in front of the fans down at the New Manor Ground and I admire the enthusiasm they bring every time we play. My No?1 priority now is to get a run of games in the first team and get myself on the scoresheet and then I can kick on.”

Kevin Wilson, the Ilkeston manager, a former Walsall team-mate of Kyle Lightbourne, believes that it is time for Simmons to “push on” and become an important player for the club.

“It’s a completely different culture in England so it’s very difficult for the Bermudian lads to adapt and Lejaun has done very well to do so,” he said.

“He’s a hard working lad and he’s made a few appearances this year and what he’s got to try and do now is push on. This apprenticeship will give him an alternative pathway to go down, because, who knows, players can get injuries, so this will be there for him to fall back on if circumstances change.”

Simmons is one of four Bermudians at Ilkeston, who play in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League — the eighth tier of English football.

Also at the Derbyshire-based side are Antwan Russell, Rai Simons and Dante Leverock.