Derby County Football Club (DCFC), has launched a partnership programme which will see 50 local schools take part in the initiative.

Partnering schools will be able to utilise the resources of the football club as well as benefit from after-school clubs and curriculum coaching organised by the DCFC staff.

In return, the partner schools have committed themselves to the Derby County in the Community (DCITC) scheme, supporting the club's commercial initiatives designed to strengthen the club's visibility in the region.

Speaking at the launch ceremony of the scheme, DCFC's community manager, Simon Carnall, says he expects the number of schools taking part in the initiative double by the start of the next school year.

"We have got an initial 50 schools here but hopefully we'll have over 100 by September," he said.

The DCITC scheme also includes community cohesion initiatives and a partnership with Derbyshire Constabulary which aims to reduce the amount of anti-social behaviour and public order incidents.

DCFC was taken over by American management and consultancy group General Sports and Entertainment in January 2008.