CHAIRMAN Eddie Mitchell has revealed that Cherries are in talks over three potential locations to build a new training ground to nurture the club’s next generation.

In an exclusive interview with the Daily Echo, Mitchell said his vision was to develop a site with between two and five pitches, including artificial surfaces, as a base for Cherries’ development and youth teams.

Although Cherries’ preferred venue would be alongside the senior training pitches adjacent to Dean Court, Mitchell claims the council is reluctant to allow more work at Kings Park.

But while the Cherries chief politely declined to confirm the locations being discussed, he reported that they were all “relatively close” to the club’s BH7 home.

Cherries’ centre of excellence and youth sides have used both Chapel Gate and Fawcett’s Field in recent seasons. However, Mitchell sees a permanent training ground as a vital factor in building on the Dorset outfit’s history of bringing through homegrown talent.

He told the Daily Echo: “We have earmarked three places with the possibility of being able to build a proper training ground for the development squad and youth teams, and to also incorporate the first team when needed.

“It is something which we would love to do in Kings Park but I don’t think the council is up for it.

Therefore, we have had to look farther afield but when I say farther afield, it is still local. We are in talks with various people about different options to go forward.

“It is all part of our overall plan. If you look at the academies that other clubs like Southampton have, they are very strong and they have proven their worth with the players they have brought through. We have to set our sights on the future.”

Cherries’ recent homegrown success stories include Wales international striker Sam Vokes, Burnley star Danny Ings and current Dean Court ace marksman Brett Pitman, with Sam Matthews the latest prospect.

And while he admits Cherries’ rise to the Championship makes it more difficult for youngsters to move into the senior set-up, Mitchell believes producing their own players remains “paramount” for the club.

Mitchell added: “The problem when you buy players is you make it harder to bring through homegrown players because you are buying talent and it takes it further away from the youngsters.

“We are fully aware of that situation and, unless you get an exception like Sam Matthews, it is going to make it harder and harder. If we were to go back four or five years, maybe some of the players that are in the development group would have been with the first team now, but the bar has been lifted and it is harder work all round.

“While we have got a great squad and it is Eddie’s choice to bring in and move out players, we have got to spend a lot of time and thought on homegrown players and that is why we are looking for land to develop our own football pitches, instead of travelling to different locations.”

  • Cherries completed their pre-season campaign with a 4-0 defeat at Salisbury last night.

A team comprised mainly of development squad players and trialists were on the receiving end of a Ben Wright four-timer.

Cherries: Jalal (Collins, 66), McCarthy, Cargill (Legg, 19), Parry, Kamara (Simpson, 82), Losasso, Matthews (Colson, 66), Wakefield (Molesley, 60), Cornick (Bassele, 60), Chiedozie (Cleaver, h-t), Goodship (Kujovic, h-t).