Bradford City's £3 million-plus investment in a football academy will "more than pay for itself", believes managing director Shaun Harvey.

As City battle for Premiership survival, some may say that £3m could be better spent in other ways, but Harvey, in charge of the project, said: "We believe the academy will more than pay for itself in money saved or earned in the transfer market.

"What the academy will do for the club is to help us to build for the future and produce our own players rather than having to look outside.

"The academy will benefit the club and the local community of Bradford while facilities we can offer as a result of having an academy will make the club more attractive to young players.

"We are going down the academy route because we believe in the results of the players that have been developed by our youth system.

"For instance, Andrew O'Brien who has come through our youth scheme is currently in the first team and plays for the Republic of Ireland under-21 side."

Another big bonus from establishing an academy is that City's youth team for under-19s will be able to play in a higher standard of football.

They currently play in the Football League Youth Alliance, but once the academy is established will be able to join the FA Premier Youth League. At the moment City are the only Premiership club without an academy.

The academy will be established on what is now scrub land at Elm Tree Farm, off Harrogate Road, at Apperley Bridge, bordering the River Aire, Apperley Lane and Apperley Road.

The 14.5 acre site near the Stansfield Arms was previously leased to Woodhouse Grove School, but not used by them.

City have used the Rawdon Meadows pitches on the opposite side of Harrogate Road for training for some 25 years.

Harvey said that City and Bradford Council wanted to ensure that no local football use would be affected by the club's proposals and all current users in the area will be able to use these facilities as they do now.

There will be three full-sized pitches and three small sized pitches to be used by the under-12s.

It is hoped that the pitches will be ready for use at the start of next season.

An important feature of the academy development will be a sports hall to be built adjacent to the Stansfield Arms and linked to Elm Tree Farm by a bridge.

An artificial surface currently being developed in Canada will be used in the hall.

The club have applied to the local authority for a long lease. The decision will be known in six to eight weeks time, but City are not anticipating any problems because the scheme has the support of the Council.

Bradford Council leader, Councillor Ian Greenwood, said: "I welcome the application for a football academy in the Bradford district. It would be a great boost to our young people if the proposals were successful.

"The club's commitment to youth development is to be applauded and the scheme would certainly enhance the district's general reputation as a sporting centre of excellence."

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