Plans for a permanent training base for the England team have been revived by the Football Association.
The 330-acre National Football Centre in Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire, will be renamed St George's Park.
It will feature 12 pitches, including one synthetic and indoor, plus sports medicine and sports science facilities, two hotels and a conference centre.
England boss Fabio Capello said: "It will be an inspirational site for coaches and players to develop."
The scheme, which will fulfil a similar role to France's Clairefontaine and Coverciano in Italy, was first announced eight years ago.
Since then, the FA have sunk £25m into the project.
Capello added: "This is a much-needed facility and through my own experiences at Coverciano in Italy I understand the importance of the centre for England."
NFC chairman David Sheepshanks stated: "Our aim is to make St George's Park a sporting destination of choice for coaches, players, administrators and officials alike.
"In Wembley we have a world-class stadium and in St George's Park we have the place to inspire world-class performance."
The League Managers Association have committed to making the new centre their future headquarters.
The plans also include a private housing scheme for 30 homes near the entrance to the centre that will help plug a funding gap.

This cannot be a white elephant, and there is a robust business plan that makes this viable and sustainable
NFC chairman David Sheepshanks
Sheepshanks told a news conference in Burton: "We feel it is time the NFC had a new identity and we hope this name St George's Park will reflect the sense of national pride that will accompany the centre when it is open.
"Every single leading European country has a national football centre - even Bulgaria - and we are the only leading European country that does not.
"Every country that has won the World Cup has one apart from us."
Sheepshanks insisted, however, that the St George's Park development, which is being sponsored by Umbro, would not be a mere replica of other centres, and would not be a youth academy but would be a base for all England senior, junior and disability teams.
He added: "We are not here to replicate any one of the other centres, we have been to look at them and share best practices to pick up the best ideas to serve our needs.
"This is not a finishing school for young players, that role is carried out very well by the Premier League and Football League clubs.
"This is not an academy and is not in competition with our professional clubs."
There has been some opposition to the location of the centre so far from London but Sheepshanks said Burton was a central point for the whole country, and stressed that it would not be a financial burden on the FA.
"This cannot be a white elephant, and there is a robust business plan that makes this viable and sustainable," he added.

Source: bbc.co.uk

I like the name! Should conjure up a fighting spirit. Also, a proper training centre with it's own identity is a positive move forward.

David Beckham believes Manchester City will never be bigger than his former club Manchester United.

The two teams go head-to-head on Tuesday in the Carling Cup semi-final first leg at Eastlands with many City fans confident of turning over their local rivals.

Backed by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan's millions there is a real sense that the Blues can turn the tables and become the leading team in Manchester after years of heartache.

However Beckham insists it takes more than money to dislodge a team with the history and standing of Manchester United.
"City will never be bigger than United," he told the Daily Mirror.

"Being successful and one of the most recognised clubs in the world doesn't come from the money. It's about history."

The 34-year-old added that although he has not donned the Red shirt for nearly seven years he could still never envisage himself playing for City: "I'd never sign for Manchester City.
Loyalty

"It doesn't matter about money, it's always about loyalty. United are the team I supported and the team I played for and I just couldn't bring myself to sign for City."

The England international will come up against United for the first time in March when AC Milan travel to Old Trafford in the last-16 of the UEFA Champions League and Beckham is adamant that if he scores he will not celebrate.

"It's going to be a weird feeling playing against United at Old Trafford. But I am ready for it now," he admitted.

"I wouldn't celebrate if I scored. It would take me a split second to compose myself and remind myself I couldn't because when you score a goal it's a rush and it's an instinct to celebrate.

"But if it happened at Old Trafford I would curb that instinct."

source: skysports.com

As a supporter AND former player, David Beckham is likely to say that, but hey, he is only saying what is true. I mean, just look at their history. Last trophy was 1976 and that was the league cup. They haven't challenged for anything of note in the last I don't know how long. It certainly isn't about the money, because we haven't got any!!!

Announced today:

Sky Sports News understands that David Gold and David Sullivan have completed their takeover of West Ham United.

The former Birmingham City co-owners have pieced together a package that valued the Upton Park side at £105million.

Sullivan has taken control of 50 per cent of the club, although West Ham are yet to confirm the news officially.

Karren Brady, who worked with the duo at St Andrews, is expected to be named vice-chairman once details of the deal are revealed.

Tony Fernandes, who was one of four parties looking to buy the club, conceded defeat in his chase for the Premier League side.

The Malaysian businessman revealed on his Twitter feed: "Deal lost on West Ham. Hopefully new owners protect what's good.

"We gave awesome deal and new ideas to rejuvenate a club and bring excitement."

Source: skysports.com

Could be good news for the Hammers, as they have limped along for the past few seasons. Gold and Sullivan turned Birmingham around and could do well at the Boleyn Ground

I think Berbatov is a fine player but for me he is not a United type player, having said that I also think that he needs to play in a settled side, Sir alex over the last couple of seasons has chopped and changed the side every week. I know he has had a lot of injuries especaily in defence this season, but I wish he could pick a settled side, it is over a hundred games since that has happened

Hello been a member for a couple of months, thought i'd introduce myself.

I live in Nottingham, been a Utd supporter all my life mainly due to a combination of Robson, Ince, Pallister & Giggsy and Utd winning the 1st game i remember watching which was the Milk Cup final against Forest.

Go to OT as often as i can, usually only about 4-5 times per season due to the cost of match day tickets i am going to the 2nd leg of the City game which i'm buzzin' about due to it being my first 'big' game.

Utd have never lost when i've gone to the game (i've been about 30 times) so if we do beat the noisy neighbours you'll konw who to thank