FA Gives National Football Centre Green Light

The Football Association has backed the concept of a National Football Centre but refused to confirm that it would be built at the proposed site at Burton.

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

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.

Commented FA chief executive Brian Barwick: ‘This is a major step forward for the project. 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.