Today is the day! After four long years, Staplewood officially opens today. Expected to be 'unveiled' at 10am. Reporters have been invited this morning, with 5 supporters invited this evening (lucky me). Updates to follow. DTLW
BBC Sport reporter Jenna Hawkey: "At Staplewood for a behind the scenes tour of the new #SaintsFC training complex. Looks incredible. Not allowed to tweet pics til midday tho"
Ralph Krueger - Chairman: "We are delighted to officially open our new training facility and, in doing so, we are proud to pay tribute to the memory of Markus Liebherr. "The role Markus played in saving Southampton Football Club and enabling it to be transformed into the progressive and sustainable company it is today will never be forgotten. "In naming this outstanding new facility in his honour, Markus’s vision and legacy will live on in every player and member of staff who passes through these doors."
Gareth Rogers - Chief Executive: "Markus bought the club in 2009 and his vision was to create a sustainable football club and one that plays great football. "Integral to that was the building of the training ground. This has required a huge investment, but it is something that we see as incredibly important in terms of the future of our club. The club is about sustainability. "Most of the cost has come from [Markus's daughter and current owner] Katharina’s wealth, so it is right that there is a lasting memory of Markus at the club."
Les Reed - Sporting Director: "This is only phase one of a big project. "At the moment, we have what we call the Academy Village, which is a portacabin village at the other end of the training ground. It reflects the quality of the people we have that we’ve been able to produce a world-class academy in what are essentially temporary facilities. "We are taking the people that have worked very, very hard in temporary resources into another bespoke building that will take that development to another level. "We’re always looking forward, and the fact that we’ve done it in phases has meant that we’ve learned things as we’ve gone along, and everyone will benefit from that – from the academy through to the first team."
@SouthamptonFC: #SaintsFC also announces plans to extend the Markus Liebherr Pavilion with the construction of a two-story annex building. #TheNextChapter
Apparently the Pavilion (main building) has been named for Markus, but Staplewood keeps it's name. That's how I've read what is reported in the Echo. Naming the Academy which is integral to ML's dream is a superb tribute.
Correct. The justification being that the new building/facility was the dream of Markus, but the rest was already in place.
Katharina did the little curtain-pull to unveil the plaque at 10am this morning in front of the national media.
Katharina has handed Markus's lucky red-and-white Saints scarf over to the club, where it will remain.
