IPSWICH schools could get dozens of Keiron Dyers for £150,000.The Ipswich-boy-made-good cost Newcastle United millions when he moved from Town.But the next generation of Ipswich international stars could come a lot cheaper if a bid for Government cash is successful.

IPSWICH schools could get dozens of Keiron Dyers for £150,000.

The Ipswich-boy-made-good cost Newcastle United millions when he moved from Town.

But the next generation of Ipswich international stars could come a lot cheaper if a bid for Government cash is successful.

Copleston High School already has sports college status.

And it is now bidding for up to £150,000 a year to spread its success around the town.

Headteacher Laurie Robinson revealed his school had been invited to bid for the cash bonanza and blaze a trail for other Suffolk schools.

He said: "It's fair to say that we have already identified some very gifted young men and women.

"The next Kieron Dyer will start to emerge from Ipswich schools."

Mr Robinson said he had just filled in the last stroke of his application to the Government.

And if Copleston is successful in claiming School Sport coordinator status it will be the first Suffolk school to participate in the Government programme.

The cash will be released to benefit schools in two phases. Mr Robinson said four senior schools had been lined up for the first wave.

He did not name the schools involved, but revealed about 20 feeder primary schools will also be included.

If the bid is approved, cash will be pumped into the schools from September 2003.

Another wave of 20-plus schools would be added to the programme in 2005/2006.

Copleston's sports college status has seen £300,000 ploughed into new facilities at the school, including a climbing wall and golf driving range.

Mr Robinson said the Government saw the sports co-ordinator programme as a major part of generating future British success on the world sports stage.