Premier League makeover for Black Country football centre

Goals Black Country in Darlaston Lane plays host to thousands of players every week who are now kicking off in style at the new ProTurf arena.

As part of a multi-million pound investment more than 150 new arenas are being built this year by Goals.

The revamp includes new five and seven-a-side enclosed floodlit arenas featuring ProTurf – an all weather synthetic turf.

Adam Kirby, general manager at Goals Black Country said: "The feedback from our players has been fantastic and everyone is very excited about the new playing surface.

"They might not have the skills of Ronaldo, but our new ProTurf arenas gives everyone the opportunity to show off their best football skills, no excuses."

Bosses say the facilities are as close as you can get to grass, which will allow for natural game-play, improved fitness and less injuries due to the superior shock absorption.

Mark Jones, chief executive of Goals, said, "Football is our passion and our customers love the game as much as we do.

"This investment will give our customers the very latest synthetic turf in the UK to play on and with our clubhouse upgrade and great customer service, why would you play anywhere else."

Founded in 2000 to provide the 'next generation' five-a-side football offering, Goals has invested more than £150 million into developing FA Accredited facilities for grassroots players.

With over 500 all weather synthetic grass arenas across 46 UK centres, Goals hosts 130,000 players every week.

Previously, among those to have played football at Goals Black Country were former Tottenham Hotspur player Andy Marlowe.

He was at the centre helping youngsters through their paces in a football coaching course in 2013.

Marlowe, who now lives in Cannock, was at the White Hart Lane club from 1990 to 1994, and ran a summer academy at Goals Black Country in Willenhall.

The ex-pro also had spells at Nottingham Forest, Carlisle and Leyton Orient and was an England youth international.