Steven Gerrard sets out football vision for Nottinghamshire town

Gerrard is currently managing Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq

A former England captain has outlined his vision to create more opportunities for children in a Nottinghamshire town.

Steven Gerrard plans to open an academy in partnership with Stapleford Town Football Club.

The new base will be located at the club's base in Hickings Lane, which has recently secured £6.4m in government funding.

Applicant Broxtowe Borough Council wants it to become a multi-purpose space which could open by 2025.

The FA and Football Foundation have also pledged £1m towards a new 3G pitch.

The revamp hopes to bring new education, jobs and opportunities through football for young people

Former Liverpool skipper Gerrard, currently manager of Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq, told BBC Radio Nottingham: "It gives kids the opportunity to run their education alongside sport and try to create more jobs in the area.

"We have opportunities that come off the back of it, kids have gone on to America and got scholarships but they've also had other job opportunities on the back of being better academically as well so it's important they run side by side.

"I wish I had more qualifications to run alongside my career because I often think to myself if I'd never reached where I wanted to reach I'd have been lost.

"Broxtowe council have given fantastic support, they were really passionate about creating something special and share the same idea about trying to keep kids at this age off the street, keep trying to further their education but also give them incredible facilities to keep improving as players."

It is envisaged the new building will have three areas for the youth centre, football club and a third room for community groups to use.

Ryan Stark, senior development officer at Stapleford Town, said the revamp would give young people opportunities

Stapleford Town chairman Pete Scott said: "It gives the football club some real foundation to build from and give amazing opportunities for people in our local area.

"Hopefully, it will bring further investment to the town on the strength of having such a well-known person involved."

It is one of the six regeneration projects funded through £21.1m government funding secured by the borough council for Stapleford.

The authority's regeneration project manager, Sam Comerie, said: "It's all about the community, it's about providing that anchor and venue for all of the different organisations that will benefit from it."