D-Day looms on new soccer complex

A decision on ambitious plans for a new clubhouse and facilities for the biggest football club in Staffordshire is due to be made next month.

Wyrley Juniors Football Club is applying to build a new clubhouse, two full-size pitches, two mini pitches, six changing rooms, two referee changing rooms, medical room, kitchen and coaches' training room on land near to Teddy Bear's Day Nursery off Long Lane, Great Wyrley. If the proposals are passed, building work will cost around £1.3million.

Planning bosses at South Staffordshire Council have confirmed they will decide on what recommendation to make to councillors by February 20 and the proposals are likely to go before councillors on March 10.

The proposals also include a community room accessible to the residents of Long Lane and the village of Newtown free of charge for up to 52 times a year because the club would be built on land belonging to Essington Parish Council.

With 36 teams, Wyrley Juniors is the largest club of its kind in Staffordshire taking in players from Great Wyrley, Cheslyn Hay, Cannock and Bentley as well as having ambitions to extend into Essington. But players have to train on school and club pitches scattered across South Staffordshire.

Club chairman Keith Hardy said: "We are the biggest club in Staffordshire but we have no natural home to go to. At the moment we have to use facilities in around eight other schools, private club and council pitches."

Plans for clubhouse and pitches were approved by South Staffordshire Council in July 2003 but permission expired before a brick was laid. The new plans differ only in it is a single instead of a two-storey clubhouse.