Landore complex officially opened

16th September

Swansea City's Landore Training Academy was officially opened today by Premier League Executive Richard Scudamore.
The complex, which cost just over £6million, is the club's first purpose-built training ground in its 101-year history and features an all-weather pitch and a modern facility housing changing rooms, offices, function rooms, treatment rooms and a café.
Currently a full-time base for Michael Laudrup's First Team squad, the facility will be dedicated to developing and improving the Youth Academy once the new Fairwood complex - which will house the First Team and Under-21s - is completed.
And Scudamore was full of praise for the Swans' new training ground at the official launch, labelling it "first class".
"Everything about this facility is excellent," he said. "The building is one thing, but the most important thing is out on the pitches where the players can train and be coached on. It's first class.
"A Premier League club now gets around £62m for being in the league this season, but the directives of the clubs have to be complimented.
"Everyone wants a local gem - a local boy who was born and raised a few miles from their club. And that's why a facility like this is so important.
"To reinvest some of that money in new facilities leaves a huge legacy for the future of the club."
Scudamore, who has been the Premier League's Chief Executive since 1999, had further praise for the way in which the Swans have reached English football's top flight.
"It's a very well-run club. It has been well-run for a number of years and it has got them into the Premier League," he added.
"They have done sensible things and have a football philosophy that runs throughout the club.
"It has got the degree of supporter ownership, which maintains the community feel at the club.
"This development facility is the last piece in the jigsaw."
Speaking at the grand opening, Swans Chairman Huw Jenkins pointed out the long-term benefits of the club's new facility.
"It is a massive step forward for the club," he said. "It's a step made possible by our rise from the foot of the Football League to the grand heights of the Barclays Premier League - the best and most lucrative league in the world.
"It has certainly helped us develop as a club on and off the field and this facility is testament to that.
"But it is not just for the benefit of the First Team squad, because the future of our Youth Academy is probably just as important - if not more so - for the long-term future of the club.
"That's why we are also pushing on with another new training complex at Fairwood, which will eventually house our First Team and Under-21 squads.
"That will allow the current building and pitches at Landore to be totally dedicated to developing and improving our Youth Academy even further at all ages.
"With the help of training facilities like this, we can take Swansea City and youth football in general to the next level.
"There are only exciting times ahead."