Neighbourly welcome for football stars

By Andrew Dawkins
BBC News, Burton-upon-Trent

Rangemore is a small picturesque Staffordshire village with a 19th Century church, primary school and traditional red telephone box.

But the sight of footballers' high-speed cars may soon be joining the tranquil tableau.

The 350-acre site is near the small village of Rangemore

Down a road beyond the fields near the village is the preferred location of the proposed National Football Centre (NFC).

The Football Association (FA) has planned to use the new facility as a training base for all England teams and to house coaching, medical, science and other departments.

The FA bought the land back in 2001, but work was later put on hold - triggering fears the plan would never make the kick off.

But the site near Burton-upon-Trent was recently confirmed as the FA's first choice for the planned scheme.

Jim Cooper, 91, has lived in Rangemore for 58 years and was a headmaster for more than 30 years at the primary school he went to as a boy.

'Can't wait'

Relaxing at a local pub restaurant, the former non-league footballer said: "I've not heard of anyone against it. I'm looking forward to going - it'll be a beautiful sight."

At a sandwich shop in nearby Burton-upon-Trent, it has also given mother-of-two Kelly Sawdon food for thought.

"We'll have the celebrities here - I can't wait," the 31-year-old said.

Sandwich shop worker Kelly Sawdon supports the idea

"I wouldn't mind going to take my children. I'm sure most people with boys will."

But having a secluded site, across 350 acres in a valley, appears to be part of the attraction for the powers that be.

East Staffordshire Borough Council leader Alex Fox said: "The FA wanted a site they could keep secure without the prying eyes of the media and the public.

"The only place you can get a public view is on the entrance at a roundabout. The rest is not overlooked."

One spin-off which could benefit local people, though, relates to the jobs market.

'Major asset'

Between about 150 and 200 jobs could be created in an area previously renowned for its brewing industry, Mr Fox said.

He expected this could include 50 to 80 administrators and 20 to 30 ground staff.

England coach Fabio Capello had his first glimpse of the tranquil surroundings on a visit this week, but the concept of the facility is certainly nothing new to people in this corner of Staffordshire.

After the FA bought the site in 2001, fears emerged later that its commitment to the £750m cost of Wembley stadium could threaten the scheme.

Burton manager Nigel Clough has praised the pitches

Work was put on hold in 2004 and an FA board meeting in August 2006 decided that the association should not make any further financial commitment.

But the project was later reconsidered and the FA recently confirmed the Burton option as its first choice in its Vision 2008-2012 blueprint.

This includes having the project up and running by 2010.

A final decision is to be made at an FA board meeting on 3 June.

The FA has already invested £25m in the site, with some pitches already being completed.

The association has spoken of such a centre being a "major asset in the development of players, coaches and referees".

'Extremely privileged'

It has been hailed as the English equivalent of French football's Clairefontaine centre, where many of France's World Cup-winning team learned their trade.

But despite the long-running saga, it has been used by local players.

The area's top non-league team, Burton Albion, have trained there for more than two years and scaled new heights under manager Nigel Clough - son of legendary European Cup and League Championship-winning manager Brian.

This season Clough Junior almost took the club into the Football League for the first time in their history.

"It's no coincidence we've improved as a team with excellent training facilities," he said.

"It's just the quality of the pitches there - they're always maintained. As a club we feel extremely privileged."