Wolves make £10m commitment to avoid serious club blow | OneFootball

The Old Gold have avoided losing a key status by committing to the significant commitment.

It has already been a whirlwind summer for Wolves as they prepare for their return to the Championship next season.

The Old Gold landed two eye-catching free transfers in Kieran Trippier and fan favourite Raul Jimenez before Rob Edwards was controversially relieved of his duties.

New boss Cesar Peixoto has laid out his expectations for the season, with Mateus Mane revealing his title-winning message upon the players' return to pre-season training.

However, the Black Country club were set to lose a key status ahead of the new campaign and have now made a £10million commitment to avoid the consequences.

Wolves retain Category One Academy license amid £10m commitment

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The Old Gold have been undergoing pre-season at their Sir Jack Hayward Training Ground at Compton Park, where Peixoto delivered his ambitious pre-season message.

Compton Park has been the location of Wolves' training for almost 30 years, and the complex has seen several developments, with the purpose-built Sir Jack Hayward Training Ground opening in 2005.

The club is not famed for its academy, although it did produce Morgan Gibbs-White, who has become one of the leading Englishmen in the Premier League with Nottingham Forest.

Just days ago, The Telegraph's John Percy reported that Wolves were at risk of losing Category One academy status amid concerns over facilities, and now there have been further developments.

Percy now reports that the Old Gold have had a lucky escape as they have retained their Category One Academy license, subject to completion of proposed additions to facilities.

He adds that the Black Country club expect to complete work on a £10m Academy expansion by next summer, but that the situation should have been avoided.

Why is this good news for Wolves?

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If Wolves had lost their Category One Academy license, then it would have been a major blow for the club both on and off the pitch.

Firstly, they would have had a reduced ability to prize young talent to the academy and would have found it hard to compete with the likes of Aston Villa, West Brom and Birmingham City.

Furthermore, the level of competition would have been reduced as clubs with Category One status can play against the strongest academies, preparing young players for the highest level.

Category One clubs also have the power to recruit from a much wider geographical area than lower-category academies, making it easier to identify and sign the country's best upcoming talents.

Higher-category academies also receive greater central funding and support through the Premier League Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) system, which would have been lost.

Then there is the long-term business model, which would have been damaged as a weaker academy would most likely lead to less profitable players coming through the ranks.

How Wolves fans have reacted to the £10m news

The latest development has caused a stir among Wolves supporters, with some pointing the finger at the club's hierarchy.

One even pointed the finger at Jeff Shi, who departed his position as executive chairman last December.