Steve Morgan outlines Wolves vision
Wolves chairman Steve Morgan today declared his wish to attract the stars of the future as part of the £50million 'world class' development of Compton Park.
Wolves chairman Steve Morgan today declared his wish to attract the stars of the future as part of the £50million 'world class' development of Compton Park.
Morgan announced details to create a football academy under the club's plans to expand the Sir Jack Hayward Training Ground into the area currently occupied by St Edmund's Catholic School, next to the current facility.
The school is moving to the area occupied by the University of Wolverhampton, who are vacating the site.
Morgan said: "These plans will support the club's aim to create a world-class football academy.
"With the introduction of the new Premier League academy system, the club needs to make a significant investment in its facilities to ensure it's not left behind.
"We want to be at the forefront of these Premier League developments, giving our talented local youngsters the best possible chance to progress within a world-class facility."
Under the ambitious scheme, the former school site will be bought and developed by Wolves as a new £6million football academy, offering new indoor and improved outdoor pitches.
Wolves' existing training ground, financed by Sir Jack at a cost of £3million and completed in 2005, is the smallest in the Premier League.
The club need to upgrade facilities required under new plans for academy football by the Premier League.
As a consequence of moving the football academy to Compton Park, Wolves will donate their £1million indoor dome at Aldersley to the Wolves Community Trust.
The new academy facilities will be used by St Edmund's Catholic School, St Peter's School, Wolverhampton Girls' High School and Wolverhampton College, as well as community use, subject to availability.
Morgan added: "These £50million investment plans signal a truly great opportunity to kickstart one of the most significant proposals our city has seen for many years.
"The nature of the plans, with each development completely interdependent of the other, means we have only one very limited window of opportunity to bring these proposals to fruition.
"We all remain confident there is the impetus to make these plans a reality."
The club will continue to allow shared use of the pitches by both St Edmund's and St Peter's schools.
