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FA backs National Football Centre

The Football Association has backed the concept of a National Football Centre.

The FA board's approval was granted subject to a detailed exploration of the business and funding plans.

"I'm delighted that the board has given the green light for a National Football Centre," said FA chief executive Brian Barwick following Thursday's meeting.

The FA's preferred option is for the centre to be built at Burton-on-Trent, but it has not ruled out basing it elsewhere, possibly closer to London.

The Burton option would be linked to a hotel and conference facility.

The FA has already invested £25m in the 350-acre site in Staffordshire which it purchased in 2001.

"This is a major step forward for the project," added Barwick.

"There was general agreement within the board that a national football centre would be a major asset in the development of players, coaches and referees in this country."

The FA plans to use the centre as a training base for all England national and junior teams.

It would also house medical, exercise, science, coaching, video analysis and education departments.

The FA board held its meeting at the De Vere Wokefield Park Hotel near Reading, which houses the BMW Academy, the company's specialist staff training centre.

Board members visited the facility to see how the joint operation worked.

The FA's director of football development Sir Trevor Brooking, England Under-21 coach Stuart Pearce and national coach Steve Wigley all made presentations on the football development context for the project.

"Everyone involved in the FA's coaching and player development structures believes that a national football centre is vital to the long-term health of English football," added Brooking.

"We were hugely encouraged by the extremely positive reception from both the professional and grassroots game."

Good to see the FA trying to unlock some of the talent in England, which will hopefully help the National team in the future.