Green light for England training base

Doubts over project
Several million euros had already been spent securing the land and making the early preparations, but support for the project was under review as the FA decided whether it could be fully committed at this time to the centre, which is understood to be modelled on the French base at Clairefontaine.

Unanimous agreement
However, after the FA's main board met on Thursday for the first time this year, it issued a statement saying: "It was unanimously agreed to proceed with the development of the National Football Centre as soon as possible."

'Revised schedule under consideration'
The statement continued: "This will mean completing the initial landscaping works for pitches, utilities, drainage, infrastructure and ongoing estate management according to the current plan for practical completion at the end of May 2004. The FA will consider a revised schedule for the completion of building works as soon as possible."

Wilkinson's project
The centre, which is set to include 14 football pitches and wide-ranging educational and medical facilities, was the brainchild of former FA technical director Howard Wilkinson, who stepped down in October to take charge of Premiership side Sunderland AFC.