Bill Foley: New AFC Bournemouth training ground one of league’s best

Building work is well underway on the £32million project at the site of the former Canford Magna Golf Club.

There have since been alterations, but the initial plans were officially approved in October 2019, after Cherries bought the site for £3.75million in January 2018.

Work was paused under former owner Maxim Demin, before restarting in 2022 when the club returned to the Premier League.

Foley has now accelerated the process of the 57-acre complex, with the goal of having it fully operational later this year, for the first team, academy and women’s sides.

The plan is for 15 football pitches, a large indoor dome, two padel tennis courts, medical and fitness facilities, administrative space and a press conference theatre.

“It looks spectacular,” Foley told Sky Sports.

“When it’s finished, it’s going to be unbelievable.

“Women’s, academy, first team - unbelievable facilities are going to be here.

“This is going to be one of the best training facilities in the league.”

Cherries have built a large dome (Image: NQ)

After purchasing the club in December 2022, Cherries were embroiled in a relegation battle, but Foley insisted they would not go down.

Under the stewardship of Gary O’Neil, Foley’s prediction came true.

The 79-year-old is relatively new to the sports world, but has already achieved success in America, with NHL side Vegas Golden Knights, who won the prestigious Stanley Cup in 2023.

Since purchasing Cherries, he has since gone on to make investments in football clubs in France, New Zealand and Scotland.

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Asked what the key is to keeping to the targets he outlined when he first took over, Foley said: “Transparency. I always tell the truth and I’ll always be honest.

“I have big ambitions for this team and I know we can do it, because I’ve done it with the Golden Knights, our hockey club.

“Same plans (here), same programme.

“It’s expensive. To keep your word, you’ve got to put a lot of money behind it.”

Asked if he was surprised how quickly things have progressed, Foley added: “I’m running out of time, so I have to make sure I do things quickly and efficiently!

“Once I’d met our management team and some of the football staff, I knew what we could do, with the right resources and attitude, a winning and never give up attitude.

“I was very confident.”

Speaking in January about the new training ground, Cherries head coach Andoni Iraola said: "I saw the updates the same way as everybody else.

"I went there once and I think especially the dome is something very good. Not specifically for the first team, but for the academy, I think it is looking really nice.

"It is good the club is progressing. We will see, but I think it is helping with the academy and it is something for the mid-to-long-term future of the club. They are all positives."