JACK Walker's vision for the Millennium - a futuristic Youth Academy costing a cool £7m - has been unveiled.
But it is no distant dream. For Blackburn Rovers - leading lights in the British youth football revolution - will throw open the doors of the Academy later this summer.
Standing adjacent to the club's senior training headquarters at Brockhall, the Academy has a distinctly space-age feel. Banks of aluminium and glass, cloaked in the club's trademark blue and white halves, combine forward thinking with a proud tradition - as shown in this exclusive artist's impression. The staggering 25-acre site comprises five full-size outdoor pitches to accommodate training and competitive matches for no fewer than 10 youth teams aged from eight upwards.
A huge indoor arena - incorporating a half-size artificial pitch and a four-lane sprint track - will allow training to go ahead whatever the weather, not to mention seven changing rooms, a fully-equipped medical/treatment room plus laundry, kitchen and dining facilities.
There is a high-tech gymnasium, admin offices, conference rooms and a spacious players' lounge - along with a custom-built swimming pool and steam room.
What also makes Rovers Academy stand out from the crowd is a superb on-site Lodge, designed to accommodate up to 32 boys (two full squads) plus supervisors and housekeepers.
Rovers Chief Executive John Williams says: "Mr Walker is the driving force behind the Academy. It is a massive project in every respect, not least financial, but Mr Walker and the club's directors are in no doubt that represents the way forward. "Just take a look at the cold hard facts of today's transfer fees - clear proof that being able to produce your own talent has got to be right. You also have a better chance of retaining players who have grown up within the culture of the club.
"We have endeavoured to look at the scheme through the eyes of everyone involved, not least the parents who can rest assured that not only are their boys getting the best football facilities available but a safe and secure environment in which to develop.
"Once again we are indebted to the foresight and support of Mr Walker for making this happen."
As we revealed in our later editions yesterday Rovers have already been selected to feature in four live Sky TV games. The game at Huddersfield is now on Friday August 13 (kick-off 7.45pm). The home game against Bolton on Monday August 30 is a noon kick-off, the game at Charlton is switched to Sunday October 10 (1pm) and the one at Sheffield United moved Sunday December 19 (1pm).
Rovers supporters are reminded that tomorrow is the direct debit deadline for buying season tickets.
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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