The location of a £70m complex in Cheshire – comprising a new football centre and a luxury hotel and spa – has been revealed.
Proposals for the initiative were first confirmed in May 2018 with Cheshire County FA, Cheshire West and Chester Council, and Liverpool-based ION Developments all behind the scheme.
The Cheshire FA has now confirmed that after "extensive research" across the area it has identified the former Knights Grange Golf Club in Winsford as its preferred site for the facility.
It will be the first major site of its kind in Europe, with profits generated set to be re-invested back into grassroots football and the wider sporting community to promote healthy and active lifestyles. It will also create a number of jobs and attract thousands of visitors a year.
Upon completion – which is expected in 2020 – the complex would comprise a luxury hotel and spa, two FIFA-standard hybrid pitches, a 1,000-seater stadium, eight further playing fields and education areas.
Louise Gear, head of women's participation for The FA, said: "We're delighted this exciting project is now in the next stages of development. It's great for the local community; its very presence will help raise the profile of women's football and provide excellent facilities to play all formats of the game."
Rob Mason, development director for ION, added: "After many months of work analysing alternative site options, we are delighted that our project partners have confirmed Knights Grange as the preferred location. This will enable us to take scheme development to the next stage and a big step closer to delivering this exciting project."
Cheshire FA has also confirmed it is working in partnership with a Women's Super League team with a view to becoming tenants of the new site for training and FA Women's Super League matches.