Wrexham AFC submits plans for new multi-million-pound academy

The Hollywood-owned club wants five pitches and two buildings on land beside a high school

Wrexham AFC has submitted plans for a new academy training facility. In July of this year, the Hollywood-owned club revealed that it has

signed heads of terms for the multimillion-pound construction at Darland High School in Rossett.

A planning application has been submitted to Wrexham Council, requesting permission for five pitches and two structures near to the

school to help the League One club’s youth system. If granted, the ideas will result in the construction of changing rooms, offices, meeting

rooms, a medical room, a gym, and a new classroom, as well as shipping containers for use by a groundskeeper.

The plans were crucial to the Red Dragons being given EFL Category Three academy membership earlier this year, allowing the club to

field teams of all ages from under-9s onwards. It occurred amid initial concerns that the football club would be forced to remain at

Category Four level due to a lack of a dedicated academy site, limiting its operations to under-17s and above.

However, Category Three designation was later verified after the Professional Game Academy Audit Company granted further time to

bring the infrastructure up to the required grade. In a planning statement, agents operating on the club’s behalf stated: “The delivery of a

new academy training facility at Darland High School is considered a key component in the club gaining status as an EFL Category 3

Academy beginning with the 2024/25 season, following a successful full audit assessment.”

“The training facility will be used by WAFC academy teams aged nine to eighteen. The projected academy facilities will allow for the

development and education of young athletes both on and off the pitch.

“This statement has outlined the enormous benefits that the proposed development will provide to both the club and the wider

community. It is therefore respectfully asked that the projects be recommended for approval and planning clearance given.”

The club was given Category 3 classification in July for a 12-month period, with a subsequent review likely. If successful, Wrexham is

expected to be granted another three-year licence to continue developing its junior setup.