A campaign to bring Scotland’s national football academy to Dundee has been boosted by the official support of the city council.
A proposal to form a steering group to take Dundee’s case forward has been recommended for approval by the council’s policy and resources committee.
The development will be seen as particularly significant as it confirms the SNP-run council is backing the proposal first mooted by Labour MSP Jenny Marra.
The SNP Holyrood election manifesto contained a pledge to fund a national football academy, but the criterion for having local authorities bid to host the facility has not yet been made public.
Councillors will hear that the establishment of the group before any bid criteria have been published will put Dundee ”ahead of the game” in the drive to secure the academy.
A report says the steering group would be chaired by the council’s chief executive David Dorward and include representatives of the city’s two professional football teams, universities and college.
”Dundee has the singular advantage of having two professional football clubs in the city, as well as higher education establishments with sports science research and teaching and established partnership working,” the report states.
”Utilising these advantages the steering group would be a partnership established to not only undertake the bid but also go on to build and be part of the management of the national football academy in Dundee.”
The precise cost of the academy is not known but the majority of funding is likely to come from the Scottish Government.
Council officials believe the city does have suitable land for the development and the steering group will be charged with examining possible locations and designs.
Council leader Ken Guild said it is vital the city is ready to make a strong case.
”Dundee is a football city at all levels, with thousands following our two professional teams and thousands more playing the game every weekend,” the SNP councillor said.
”You only have to look at the increasing number of boys and girls playing the sport in Dundee to realise how popular football remains.
”The Scottish FA has been running a school of football at Craigie High which has been a real success and St John’s High has established links with Dundee United’s football academy.
”We are keen to use the working partnerships that already exist across the city to promote a strong case for Dundee to be the location for these facilities.”
Jenny Marra, who launched a campaign to bring the academy to Dundee in July, has welcomed the plans for a steering group.