FA confirm NFC go-ahead

The Football Association's board confirmed on Tuesday the long-awaited National Football Centre will be sited at Burton-on-Trent.

Although planning permission and funding for the national hub are yet to be secured, it is an important step towards making sure it is up and running by 2010 - the objective set out in the FA's Strategic Vision which was announced last month.

FA chief executive Brian Barwick said: "I'm delighted that we have reached this point, the NFC is an extremely important part of our future and we can now press ahead with making it a reality."

He added: "It is great news that progress is being made, and now we must look to the finer detail and achieve a world-class facility to help our cause."

FA director of football development Sir Trevor Brooking said: "It is essential to the long-term development of coaching and young players that we have a hub for all our activity, and the NFC will provide that.

"Everyone recognises the significance of the facility across all levels of the game."