Sheffield United plans new first team academy fit for club's 'current stature' in Premier League

Sheffield United is set to get a new first team academy building following its promotion to the Premier League.
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The structure at Firshill Crescent will be replaced by a "fresh, modern building" giving players access to a gym, training area, laundry, changing rooms and physiotherapy and hydrotherapy areas.

On the first floor there would be offices, meeting rooms and a kitchen with a canteen. Windows would offer uninterrupted views of the football pitches and a new road between the academy site and the building would be created.

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The training ground features a series of playing fields for the academy and first team, with an artificial pitch.

Concept of the building at Firshill CrescentConcept of the building at Firshill Crescent
Concept of the building at Firshill Crescent

In a planning application, Whittam Cox Architects say: "The existing first team building is currently outdated.

"Sheffield United has an aspiration to provide state of the art facilities given their current status as a Premier League football club.

"One of the primary intentions is to create a sense of arrival and prominence, which reflects the current stature of Sheffield United within the Premier League.

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"Shirecliffe training site can be developed to include a new contemporary building that hosts state of the art facilities for the Premiership football club.

"This proposal will help contribute towards a successful development area at Shirecliffe for Sheffield United. The contemporary facilities inform how the club is putting forward proposals to be a leading national football club."

Although parking is included on the site, one resident is concerned as there are already traffic problems in the area.

They said: "In 2019, there were cars parked on roadsides, grassy areas, double parking, they were also stopping people getting out of their homes because cars had been blocking the residents' cars in.

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"The buses that come through the estate struggle to get through, especially on a Saturday. I hope we never need any of the emergency services as they would never get through.

"I am an NHS community support worker and have been blocked in while parents take the young people to play and watch football."

Planning officers are considering the application.

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