New training base for Reds

Alfreton Town are set to benefit from state-of-the-art training facilities in a partnership between the club and Somerlea Park Community Centre.

It a joint venture between Alfreton Town's Community Scheme the Somerlea Park Community Centre at Sherwood Street in Somercotes which will see the Reds have a specific training base and the use of excellent facilities.

Reds manager Nicky Law can look forward to having training facilities befitting the club's Conference Premier Division status, including an all-weather 3G artificial pitch which is due to be put in place by August 1.

And the centre will also become a classroom base for Alfreton's apprentices who will also coach there.

Brian Hill, charity accountant for the Somerlea centre thinks Alfreton will benefit hugely from many aspects of the partnership. "We are just delighted to welcome Alfreton Town Football Club to the centre and we are looking forward to working in conjunction with Alfreton Town's Community Scheme and director John Glasby. I am confident the scheme will be able to knit the two community scheme's together very sweetly.

"I would also like to express our thanks to Somercotes Councillor Paul Smith whose support has been invaluable. As a charity, we have raised over £100,000 in just over two years and all monies raised go straight back into the community."

Mr Hill thinks Alfreton will benefit in league games next season. "We will be able to make a big difference to the players of Alfreton. With the facilities we have got, the club can now take training to another level altogether including pre-season medicals for the playing squad.

"The team will be much better prepared for games next season and the extra conditioning including diet and nutrition will play a major part, particularly where games are won and lost," he added.

Mr Hill also praised Reds groundsman Rob Brookes who has already put in hours of work preparing the playing surface of the training pitch.

"What Rob has achieved so far is incredible. I can honestly say that within two years, we will have a surface that will be better than some of the clubs at Conference Premier Division level."

Article sourced from the Derbyshire times