A CRADLEY football club has opened a new £327k academy centre to help it discover the stars of tomorrow.

Cradley Town FC has officially opened its new academy 3G pitch, with the Mayor of Dudley Andrea Goddard doing the honours and cutting the ribbon.

Stourbridge News: The Mayor of Dudley Andrea Goddard cutting the ribbon on Cradley Town's new facility The Mayor of Dudley Andrea Goddard cutting the ribbon on Cradley Town's new facility (Image: Handout)

A spokesperson for the club on Beeches View Avenue said: "Cradley Town FC have had some major development and investments going on over the past couple of months to which it’s amazing to be able to share it all with you - the community it is all for.

"We have launched our brand new 3G 5 a side pitch which was opened by the lovely Andrea Goddard Mayor of Dudley Council.

"Was great to see our U8, U13 and walking football back on home turf last night enjoying the pitch.

"The pitch has enabled us to become self-sufficient in the future of Cradley Town FC, kids teams and development academy.

"It enables training and match day facilities for our squads opening up our capacity for more teams in the coming season."

Stourbridge News: The new pitch The new pitch (Image: Handout)

The club runs a development academy for six to eight-year-olds on Mondays from 6pm till 7pm.

A 3G pitch is a synthetic surface that replicates natural grass in playing characteristics. It is different to astroturf, replicating bounce, impact and overall performance.