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The development of professional football in Hull looks likely to continue following support from local bathroom manufacturer Ideal Standard.
The company, which has owned an active sports field on County Road since pre-war days, has agreed in principle to pass ownership of the facility to Hull City AFC for use as the club’s Centre of Excellence for Youth training.
Ideal Standard managing director Roger Cooper says: “Ideal Standard’s relationship with the City began exactly one hundred years ago in November 1905, when negotiations began for the purchase of the head office site on National Avenue.
“Although there are a number of details still to sort out, it is highly likely that this new transaction will see the existing Ideal Standard sports ground becoming a Hull City AFC resource by the end of the year.”
To add a strong degree of stability to the project, Ideal Standard aims to sponsor these changes for at least the next ten years, during which time it is likely to be re-named the Hull City AFC Ideal Standard Football Centre of Excellence.
In the modern spirit of sharing sporting resources, Ideal Standard employees will see greater benefit with an agreement in place for Hull City AFC to hold a one week training programme each year for Ideal Standard employees’ children and grandchildren at the facility.
The clubs currently using the site for both training and competitive games will be able to continue to do so until the end of current winter season and both Ideal Standard and Hull City AFC have dedicated themselves to helping these teams find replacement facilities where necessary. The ‘social club’ facility will remain.
Cooper concluded: “All in all everyone gains through this move - the local community, the City of Hull, Hull City AFC and the employees of Ideal Standard.
“We look forward to the continuing development of talented local young players, who will maintain the current success of the City’s professional football team for many years to come.”
Hull City AFC Chairman Adam Pearson is equally delighted to confirm the acquisition of the Ideal Standard Sports Ground in Hull, and looks forward to the continued relationship with Ideal Standard who are a key long-term partner and sponsor of the football club.
“We are delighted that we have managed to secure the Ideal Standard Sports Ground (subject to contract), as it will prove to be a major asset for the Football Club and its long-term development.
“In the past Hull City AFC has been chronically disadvantaged by not having the correct training infrastructure, and it now has two training centres, one for the first team and one for the Centre of Excellence.
“These training centre complexes will ensure the infrastructure and development of the club keeps in pace with the dramatic improvement on the pitch witnessed over the last two years.
“The two centres that are now home to Hull City AFC will give the club the advantage of good facilities for the long-term security of the club.
“The development of young players is the future of this football club, and the purchase of the Ideal Standard Sports Ground gives the club a facility with the potential to develop into a fine training complex to aid our player development programme.
“Both training centres and their future development requires significant financial investment, but this investment will not restrict the funds available for continued player recruitment.
“I would like to thank Mr. Cooper and Ideal Standard for their cooperation with this deal, and in agreeing to sponsor the facility for the foreseeable future. I am sure it will be a deal and relationship to the mutual advantage of both parties.
“This latest investment in assets is another major step in establishing Hull City AFC as a recognised force in English Football, which is our overriding and main long-term objective.”
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