BRADFORD City manager Mark Hughes has hailed a new £1.3 million sports complex next door to his side’s ground, saying it could lead to future stars playing for them.
The Bantams boss was guest of honour at the official opening of the Midland Road Sports Complex in the shadow of Valley Parade.
He took time out from preparations for City’s League Two season opener today against Doncaster Rovers to cast his eye over the facilities.
The complex, attached to the existing BEAP Community Partnership building on Cornwall Road, Manningham, features a host of new facilities.
The new site has two changing rooms, a pavilion, cafe and three 5G football pitches - two for children’s four-a-side and a larger seven-a-side pitch for adults.
It is also set to host a fan zone on home Bradford City matchdays from later in the forthcoming season, where Bantams fans and their away counterparts can meet up before kick-off.
Mr Hughes, who played for Manchester United and managed Manchester City during his football career, said the complex might inspire district youngsters to take the journey from playing on the centre’s pitches to possibly one day lining up on the Valley Parade turf in the claret and amber.
He said: “It’s a fantastic facility in the shadow of Valley Parade.
“It’s for the people in the local community and I’m sure they will make great use of it.
“You never know. To have this facility is great. I remember I came from a Council estate and I played on the streets.
“We are always looking for good talent and you never know where that presents itself. You might find somebody just having a kick about.”
Funding for the project has come from the Football Foundation - the Premier League, the FA and Government’s charity which helps communities improve their local football facilities through football grants; the Power to Change charitable trust; Sport England and Bradford Council, the latter pumping in £100,000 for the project.
Bradford West MP Naz Shah, who also attended Thursday’s event, alongside other dignitaries including Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Martin Love, said the complex could be a springboard for youngsters to tackle a career in football.
“It’s inspiring for future generations," she said.
“It can help harness that community spirit, it’s inspiring.
“The complex has been five years in the making. This facility will benefit young people, and girls, into playing football.”
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