Academy work starts at City

Manchester City are ready to begin work on their vast new state-of-the-art academy and training ground.

With an 80-acre site adjacent to the Etihad Stadium now all but cleared, the Barclays Premier League champions have announced the appointment of BAM Construction as their building partner for the project.
The multi-million pound City Football Academy, which should be completed for the 2014/15 season, will be one of the most impressive facilities in world sport.
Among other things, the complex will comprise 16.5 football pitches - the half pitch is for goalkeeper training - which include a 7,000-capacity stadium for youth level matches. There will also be a first-team building with gym and medical facilities.
All of the club's senior and youth teams will be based there, moving from the current Carrington and Platt Lane locations, with other staff at the main stadium linked by a new footbridge.
City will also strengthen links to the local community through a project which will regenerate a large part of east Manchester. The club have donated a 5.5-acre portion of the site for the building of a new sixth form college while a new leisure centre, including swimming pool, is also planned.