Saturday, 5 Oct 2024

Training Grounds: Finch Farm, Everton FC

Everton Football Club has had its fair share of challenges in recent times, with managerial changes and calls for the board’s dismissal. However, one area that is crucial to the club’s success is its training ground. In this article, we will provide an in-depth look at Finch Farm, the training ground of Everton FC, and how it plays a vital role in the team’s performance.

What is the name of the Everton Training Ground?

The Everton training ground, affectionately known as the School of Science among supporters, is officially called Finch Farm. Since its opening in 2007, Finch Farm has served as the training center for both the men’s and women’s teams. The name is derived from the farm located nearby, which also provides much of the food served to players and staff at the training ground.

Situated just outside Liverpool city, Finch Farm is about 9 miles away from Goodison Park, the team’s home stadium. It is conveniently located just 5 minutes away from Liverpool airport.

How has the Everton Training Ground changed in recent years?

While much of the focus has been on Everton’s new stadium project at Bramley Moore Dock, there have been some improvements made to the training ground. In 2016, Liverpool City Council announced a £4 million investment to enhance the facilities at Finch Farm. However, plans for a new academy building were ultimately dropped.

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One significant addition to the training ground was a new indoor training pitch, laid in 2018 to comply with the FA’s Elite Player Performance Plan. This is part of a phased improvement plan for Finch Farm, as outlined by chief executive Denise Barrett-Baxendale.

Everton Training Ground: Facilities, Size, and Dimensions

Finch Farm is a sprawling facility that covers approximately 55 acres. While it may not be as large as some other training centers in the Premier League, it remains one of the most well-equipped in England. The construction of Finch Farm cost around £6.4 million, and it offers a range of state-of-the-art features.

The training ground features 10 full-size grass pitches, including one with undersoil heating that matches the dimensions of the pitch at Goodison Park. There are also three smaller junior pitches and a half-size pitch dedicated to goalkeeper training. Additionally, there is a synthetic turf pitch suitable for all weather conditions.

The youth teams and Academy have basic facilities compared to the first team, fostering a sense of aspiration among the young players to reach the highest level. The main building overlooks the training pitches and includes various amenities such as changing rooms, treatment rooms, a tactics theatre, a gym, and hydrotherapy pools for player recovery.

How does the Everton Training Ground compare to other training centers?

Although Finch Farm is considered one of the best training grounds in the country, it may not match the scale and modernity of some recently built or renovated facilities. For example, Leicester City’s Training Centre, which opened in 2020, is a world-class facility with an estimated cost of £100 million.

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Nevertheless, Finch Farm remains an impressive training facility and provides Everton with an excellent foundation as they strive for success in the Premier League.

What are the plans for the future?

Currently, Everton FC’s primary focus is on the construction of a new stadium at Bramley Moore Dock. This state-of-the-art stadium, expected to cost around £500 million, will become the club’s new home with a capacity of over 52,000.

While Finch Farm’s current features may require occasional upgrades, it continues to serve as one of the most outstanding training facilities in the United Kingdom. As Everton’s ambitions in the Premier League grow, the training ground will play a crucial role in their pursuit of success.

Interested in learning more about the infrastructure behind the scenes of elite football clubs? Check out our training ground guide series for further insights.