Albion sets sights on the big time (From The Argus)

Albion sets sights on the big time

2:20pm Friday 28th September 2012 in News

Martin Perry has described Albion’s planned new training ground as a platform for the Premier League.

The Seagulls are “very hopeful” planning permission for the state of the art facility near Shoreham Airport will be granted by Adur District Council on Monday.

Director Mr Perry sees the £29 million scheme, which will include the club’s revamped academy for young players, as the missing piece in the jigsaw.

He said: “If you think back to 1997, when we had nothing, once we have completed the training ground the infrastructure of the club will be complete and we will have the platform we need to be able to move this club onwards and upwards.”

Albion are currently top of the Championship after five successive wins.

Mr Perry sees the facility as key in attracting top players and developing young talent.

He added: “If we can generate our own home-grown talent and develop the young and gifted players we have got in the area then that is going to benefit the club.

“Look at the success of people like Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. They have generated huge sums of money for Southampton which no doubt helped them.

“Clearly we need to develop our players “It is also about (manager) Gus Poyet and the coaching team bringing people through the system playing the way he wants from the very start.

“Gus has taken a tremendous interest in the academy and the way we are developing it.”

Mr Perry said the training centre, which the club hope to open in early 2014, would not generate a great deal of traffic and highlighted economic benefits.

He said: “There is something like £4million worth of construction work set for companies based in Adur.

“When it is up and running we are recruiting something like 65 additional staff and we are hoping a lot of those people will come from the Adur and Worthing area.

“The application has been recommended by the officers so the committee ought to take that advice.

“That gives us confidence that it will be approved.”

See the latest news headlines from The Argus:

• WITH VIDEO: Lorry stuck under bridge in Hove
• Van drove off after three-car accident
• Police appeal for Eastern European language speakers in recruitment blitz
• Police seek men who ran from hit and run
• Giant life-size statues at sizeable exhibit