Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Jack Rosser

England manager Gareth Southgate to officially open new Crystal Palace academy site

England manager Gareth Southgate will officially open Crystal Palace's new academy site next week.

The Eagles have pumped £20million into the development in south London, which is just down the road from the club’s first-team training ground.

Southgate, who made 191 appearances for Palace between 1988-95 after graduating from their academy, will open the site on Thursday, October 28 alongside chairman Steve Parish, who has placed the academy at the heart of his vision for the club going forward.

“The new academy will have a transformative effect on the future of the football club and the local community, not only enabling us to attract and retain the best players in one of England’s richest footballing areas but also to help scores of young people and local schools enjoy the facilities," said Parish.

"We will also be able to offer a comprehensive educational and player care programme ensuring that even those players that don’t make it have an improved set of life choices.

“Gareth was a pivotal part of creating the current academy system and his success is testament to the type of person and player this club strives to produce.

"He is an immensely proud part of our history and we also hope we can produce some home grown talent to help England win a major tournament. It is fitting that he should open our new facilities to mark this monumental step forward for our football club.”

The plans have helped earn Palace's academy Category 1 status, a key goal for Parish, with work beginning in June last year.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.