Plans have been unveiled to develop a new football training ground for Leeds United.

A report recommending the council enters into discussions with the Club regarding the proposals will be discussed by councillors  on Wednesday, 18 October.

If approved, talks will begin regarding the former home of Matthew Murray High School in south Leeds, potentially becoming the club's official training facilities for senior and academy players. The site has been disused since the school's buildings were demolished in 2005/2006.

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Elsewhere, a separate site at Elland Road's Fullerton Park, which is also owned by the council, has been identified as a potential base for a ‘Community Sports Village'.

Plans include designing and delivering both the Matthew Murray Training Ground' and ‘Community Sports Village' to Category 1 status - a requirement of the Premier League for training and academy facilities by 2020.

Cllr Richard Lewis said: "Bringing the Matthew Murray site back into use as a training facility in inner city Holbeck makes sense for the club's business, but also sends a powerful message about the club's inclusivity and awareness of its potential to do good in the local community. The development also ties in with the wider regeneration work the council is already doing in the recreations next to Matthew Murray."

(LM/MH)