After a long debate, work has begun on the £ 100 million facility that will be used to develop English players in the future. But the FA also admitted it faced a race to finish the £100m centre in Burton on Trent, due to act as a hub for all 24 England teams and thousands of coaches, in time for it to host the men's and women's British Olympic football teams next summer.

David Sheepshanks, the chairman of St George's Park, as it is now named, said the start of construction was "a momentous day not only for the FA but for everyone who has football in their hearts".

It is more than 10 years since the FA acquired the land, which lay untouched amid a series of budgetary wrangles, debate over its purpose and countless false starts.

The FA had to find an extra £12m in November to underwrite the operating budget for the first two years of the centre. Thereafter it is envisaged that it will be self-funding, via a deal with the sponsors Umbro and the on-site Hilton hotels and conference facilities.