Stoke City Unveils £10m First Team Training Facility at Clayton Wood.

Roger Hampel

Image: Stoke City F.C.

Stoke City F.C. has officially opened a new £10 million first-team training facility at Clayton Wood, marking the completion of the latest phase in a long-term infrastructure investment programme.

The facility became operational on February 17, concluding a 15-month construction process led by contractor Speller Metcalfe. Initial planning and design work began in 2023.

Largest Single Project Since bet365 Stadium Stoke City

According to the club, the new building represents Stoke City’s largest capital outlay on a single project since the construction of the bet365 Stadium in 1997. The investment forms part of a broader redevelopment of the Clayton Wood training base, with total expenditure on the site now exceeding £25 million since its acquisition.

The new first-team facility includes upgraded performance and recovery spaces, dedicated rehabilitation areas, expanded gym and sports science infrastructure, nutrition facilities, as well as a cryotherapy chamber and hydrotherapy pool.

The infrastructure is designed to support high-performance preparation and long-term player development, aligning with modern sports science standards across the EFL.

Phase Two: Academy and Women’s Team Investment

A second phase of redevelopment is now set to begin, involving the refurbishment of the existing building at Clayton Wood. The renovated structure will serve the club’s Category One Academy and women’s team. The phased approach signals a broader strategy focused on centralising performance infrastructure while maintaining long-term development pathways across senior and youth squads.

Executive Comments

Chairman John Coates described the opening as a significant milestone for the club, emphasising the importance of providing players and staff with an elite working environment.

Vice-Chairman Richard Smith acknowledged the scale of internal coordination required to deliver the project and confirmed that further investment initiatives are planned, including continued works at the bet365 Stadium.

Strategic Implications

Infrastructure spending of this scale reflects Stoke City’s commitment to long-term competitive positioning, particularly within the Championship environment, where marginal performance advantages increasingly rely on sports science integration and recovery optimisation.