Fulham’s new and improved training facilities at Motspur Park were officially unveiled today at a ceremony attended by leading Premier League figures.
The latest improvements, which are integral to retaining Fulham’s coveted Category One academy status, were commemorated by a plaque in the newly-constructed all-weather dome which was revealed by Premier League chief executive Richard Scuadamore and director of football development Ged Roddy. The opening of the new facilities, which will used by the first team, youth teams and the club’s foundation, is the culmination of an intensive period of design and lobbying work that saw planning permission granted and a quick build to ensure the new training pitches were ready for use as swiftly as possible.
Fulham’s chief executive Alistair Mackintosh said:
It has taken a lot of hard work from many people to deliver on the master plan for the Motspur Park facility and they all deserve our thanks. However, the principal driver behind all of these improvements is our Chairman, Shahid Khan, whose commitment to the Football Club reaches far beyond First Team football, but into the very heart of what makes Fulham so special; its commitment to the past, the present and the future. By generously funding the extensive project of works, the Fulham team has a first class facility to train, our envied Academy can prosper, and the community will benefit from the excellent programmes our Foundation delivers. It is an accomplishment everyone involved with the Club should be proud of.
Academy director Huw Jennings added:
Maintaining our Category One status has an immeasurable impact on the Fulham Academy and one that is vital to our future success. We boast many impressive accomplishments with player development at the Club over the seasons which would not have been possible without both financial support, but also the belief in our methods and values as an Academy, and these facilities and our Cat 1 status are integral to ensuring we continue to progress,