From Sporting Life.com

Eriksson took time off from his England duties on Wednesday to mark the beginning of building work at Sunderland's Academy of Light.

The training complex is due to open next January, although the seven pitches should be ready for use in July.

England coach Eriksson, unveiling a plaque at the site, said: "This is an excellent step forward for the club.

"The state-of-the-art training facility being constructed is what all top sides in Europe are trying to establish. It will place the club in esteemed company."

The academy includes a fitness area with swimming pool and rehabilitation area.

Sunderland chairman Bob Murray said: "The academy will assist us in attracting and retaining the best professional players, while also developing homegrown challenge.

"We must acquire more talented and able young players who can be developed to feed into the squad year after year."

Can't help feeling our Acadamy is going to be pretty p*ss poor in comparison.

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2002

Answers

Hopefully it'll shame us into pulling our fingers out.

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2002

when did doing the shameful thing ever stop a NUFC director ?

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2002

Monkeyheed hasn't brought one player through the ranks worth a pinch o'shite in what? six years?

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2002

...maybe that's why they're setting up the academy?

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2002

Michael Bridges

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2002

Bridges didn't come through their academy in the normal way though, he left school at 16 and then joined SAFC. A lot of players in academies start aged 12, sometimes younger.

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2002