Old care home to host Aussie footballers

Melvyn Wilkes and Kyle Wilkes in front of the former care home in Bishop's Castle

Standing empty in a Shropshire market town, the former Grange Residential Home is about to get a new lease of life.

In 2025, up to 40 young footballers from Australia will live, train, and study at the home in Bishop's Castle.

The building has been acquired by Sunshine Coast Football Club, based in Queensland, with the move forming the creation of its sister club, Sunshine Coast UK.

"Players are actually desperate to come to the UK... they see the UK as the epicentre of football development," said Melvyn Wilkes, sporting director for the Aussie club.

Mr Wilkes, who moved to Australia 10 years ago, has worked in football for 26 years.

He has experience at Manchester City, West Bromwich Albion and Nottingham Forest, but said the game down under had changed.

The players are expected to arrive in August 2025

"The game actually has gone backwards in Australia. The training programme hasn't, it's just the games' programme," he said.

"What we're hoping to do is replicate what happened in the early 2000s with the golden generation, and bring players over to the UK, which is one of the most robust leagues in the world."

The building is currently undergoing cosmetic remedial works, ready for 34 to 40 athletes to arrive next August.

The players will combine full-time training with academic studies, while playing in the Junior Premier League under 16s, and the National Football Youth League under 19s or under 23s leagues.

"We’re hoping to link in with the local college, which is Bishop's Castle [Community] College," said Mr Wilkes.

"We have our own partner school, Peregian Beach College, which is part of our programme."

Integrating the club into the local area is important to Mer Wilkes, who said the plans had been well received by local residents.

"I could never foresee the way people have embraced us," he said.

"We’re definitely going to utilise local people for some employment opportunities.

"We very much want to be part of the community here."