THE long-awaited National Football Centre in Burton-upon-Trent should be open in 2012 after the Football Association finally gave the project the green light.
The board of directors at the sport’s governing body yesterday approved commencement of work on St George’s Park, nine years after the FA bought the 350-acre plot of land for £2m.
Both the FA’s Professional and National Game boards have agreed to underwrite the £105m centre meaning work can finally go ahead.
The base, which will also include a hotel, will employ 1,400 FA trainers to educate the next generation of coaches as well as being a sports medicine and performance research centre and a training home international teams.
Also included in the plans are 28 new houses which had been the subject of an unsuccessful legal challenge by residents in the east Staffordshire town.
Building work is expected to start in January with an expected completion date of summer 2012.
Andy O’Brien, chief executive of East Staffordshire Borough Council, said: “Everyone at the council is very pleased that the Football Association has given the final go ahead to commence building work at St George’s Park.
“We look forward to the impact this facility will have on the east Staffordshire economy, bringing jobs and opportunities for local people.
“We are also pleased that there will be community football pitches for use by local people which will go a long way to inspiring youngsters in their sports development.
“We have offered to run this community use facility for the FA and look forward to confirming these plans.”
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