Express & Star

Banks's chosen as host venue for under-17s

Walsall's Banks's Stadium has been chosen as a host venue for the European Under-17 Championship tournament taking place next year.

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The competition, which will run throughout May, will be contested by 16 sides from across Europe.

Alongside the Saddlers' Banks's Stadium, games will also be played at Burton Albion's Pirelli Stadium, Chesterfield's Proact Stadium and Rotherham's New York Stadium.

Loughborough University and England's base at St George's Park will also be used.

Wayne Rooney, Eden Hazard, Paul Pogba and Mario Götze are some of the famous names to have previously played in the competition.

Walsall chief executive Stefan Gamble said: ““We are delighted to be one of the host stadiums for the UEFA European Under-17 Championship next year.

“The Banks’s Stadium is the ideal venue for international football and we will be proud to welcome some of the best young players in Europe to Walsall next year.

“We would also like to congratulate England’s U17 side on their fantastic World Cup-winning campaign.”

Fresh from winning the under-17s World Cup on Saturday, England coach Steve Cooper said: "We are very proud to be hosting the men’s European Under-17 finals next summer."

"St. George's Park will be at the heart of training and matches and all six venues will give the players an opportunity to perform at different stadiums.

"Rotherham and Walsall have hosted a number of England development and women's team fixtures in the past while Burton Albion and Chesterfield are fantastic venues.

"Loughborough University is a world-renowned sports and educational establishment.

"The tournament gives the towns and regions an opportunity to see the best young talent from across the continent and we are very much looking forward to the challenge.”