County's double-winners as football season ends on a high

The football season is nearing the end and this week Staffordshire has become a winner on two counts.

The area has a team back in the world's top league for the first time in almost a quarter of a century, and at last we have had confirmation that the FA will finish their national centre at Burton.

Stoke City's promotion to the Premier League is excellent and I have written to the clubs expressing the county council's congratulations.

The Olympics and World Cup are big events but only take place once every four years. The Premier League, in contrast, is watched by audiences around the globe week-in-week-out.

This will raise the profile and prestige of North Staffordshire worldwide, with inward investment and tourism both potentially benefiting. I'm also sure that Stoke's players can act as positive roll models to help get more youngsters than ever actively involved in sport.

The main reward for reaching the Premier League however is the sheer joy that it has brought to so many football fans in the area.

I sincerely hope that joy extends throughout The Potter's 2008-09 season. I'm sure there will be plenty of challenges, but am also confident that Stoke City are in the Premier League to stay.

Meanwhile the FA's commitment to Burton is exceptional news and something we have long called for.

The association have owned the land at Byrkley Park for nearly a decade, but work was frozen in 2001. It was the right location then and is still the right location.

Our understanding is that this will be far more than a training facility. It will serve as a centre for injury treatment and research into coaching techniques designed to benefit all ages. It has the potential to draw experts from around the world, which has fantastic potential for the prestige of the area. I am really looking forward to Fabio Cappelo's first visit to Burton!

It is just a pity that this isn't a triple celebration, but I would like to congratulate Burton Albion on getting so close to promotion in the Blue Square Premier play-offs. The club has a fantastic new ground and is surely destined to compete in the Football League."

Page Last Modified: 09/05/2008 13:06:01

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