Brooking wants FA legacy

Sir Trevor urges colleagues to see long-term vision

Last updated: 19th December 2007

Brooking wants FA legacy

Proposed site for the National Football Centre at Burton

NATIONAL FOOTBALL CENTRE OPTIONS
:: scrap the scheme altogether
:: amend the proposal
:: push the deal through as it stands
:: redevelop the current site

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Sir Trevor Brooking believes the Football Association must not miss the opportunity to leave a lasting legacy when the future of the national game is discussed on Friday.

Following the appointment of Fabio Capello as England manager, the FA are set to continue their "root and branch" review of the whole structure of the game.

High on that agenda is set to be the much-maligned National Football Centre at Burton as well as which Englishman could make Capello's backroom staff.

Brooking, the FA's director of football development, maintains producing homegrown playing and coaching talent is vital to safeguard the future of the national game.

"We've got significant money coming in next year from the new broadcasting deal, but we need to know what people want from us," Brooking said.

"Is that a designated coaching unit to support all the clubs? More regional coaches? Do we ring-fence some money for five-to-11 (age group) skills coaches for every club?

"We have the ability to support the clubs so much better than has happened - but in order to do that we have to have the capability, like every other governing body in the world, to go out and do it."

Impact

Brooking believes investing for the future has to impact at the grassroots level.

He said: "When you have to decide to sign on somebody at 16, the overwhelming feedback from the clubs is that the English youngsters fall down on the technical side.

"The coaches like their mentality, their hunger, their desire, but that doesn't compensate for not being on a par technically with overseas youngsters.

"That is a clear sign we've got to get a long-term philosophy in place for our English kids at five to 11 and then 11 to 16, so that, when they to get to 16-plus, it is tough for our clubs to say 'sorry, you're not good enough'. At the moment, they're telling me it's too easy."

Brooking maintained: "We all believe we should have a hub site, a catalyst to pull all this together.

"The debate has been going on for a while but you would like to think that it could be taken to the next stage.

"It's for the board to decide - but it would certainly help in the overall picture of what we're trying to do. Our regional and national coaches don't have a base."

Convinced

The National Football Centre initiative is the brainchild of former FA technical director Howard Wilkinson, but has been on ice for the past 12 months.

Brooking is convinced the income from new TV contracts should be used to complete the £60million centre at Burton which, when finished, will comprise eight training pitches, as well as provide a hub for all FA training and medical facilities.

Most coaches and players believe the idea would be a major boost to the game in this country, helping to address a decline in standards that has been noted across Europe.

However, there is major opposition in some quarters, notably from Premier League chairman Sir David Richards - who feels the expense represents a waste of money - and also Football League chairman Lord Mawhinney.

An alternative plan would see a number of regional centres across the country, rather than a single site.

Comments (2)

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Clive Ellam (Havant and W fan) says...

Regional centres would be a better application for the funds and could work together with clubs academies to target local talent for local clubs. Something which is sadly lacking for the majority of "large clubs". If you only have one centre for 5-11 year olds as is currently planned the kids could have a long way to travel and if they have to do it regularly they will be taken away from their schools, which if they do not make the grade and "get released" will become increasingly important for them.

Posted 09:14 19th December 2007

Will Moody (Leicester City fan) says...

Well Done Sir Trevor, we must improve the technical ability of our youngsters. It is not just soccer but every industry is now a global market with staff from everywhere so to compete we must get our kids up and on their feet. I presume by technical ability the FA are talking about the ability to control a ball and this only comes from frequent practice on the training pitch and in the back yard. However the will to play for your country must be also bred into our youngsters, be proud to be English, look what Scotland achieved with a fairly average group of players, and I do not mean any disrespect to them. If Gerrard played with as much passion and verve as he does for Liverpool he would become an England Legend, and this is only one of many in the recent English squads. Come on guys, you are multi millionaires, money is not a worry to you so go out there and show the fans that you are proud to be an English player.

Posted 08:45 19th December 2007
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