St.George’s Park is fast becoming synonymous with Roy Hodgson’s England Senior team, but the new £105m centre is also the home to 23 other England sides.

And crucially, the centre has been created to boost the profile of women’s football.

Speaking at the launch of the the new National Football Centre, England Women’s National Coach, Hope Powell, said: “Everything being on site is important and it’s the best of everything.

"It's the best pitches, the best rehabilitation centre and there’s an England feel about it.

“It’s where all the teams will train and your paths can cross – England women and men – and you feel as if it’s a home of football.

“You save two or three hours a day travelling from the hotel to a training venue, so your preparation is going to be better, but time will tell.”

After women’s football captured the nation’s imagination during the Olympics, Powell faced the task of lifting her players, many of whom represented Team GB, from their post-Games ‘hangover’.

And training at St. George's Park ahead of their European qualifier against Croatia in September, proved the perfect tonic.

Powell, who led Team GB to the Olympic quarter-finals before a 2-0 defeat against Canada, added: “It’s quite challenging to go again.

“Coming here was fantastic, the sun was shining and it was all new.

“The girls felt valued. They were exceptional in training, they enjoyed the layout and they enjoyed the training.”

It clearly worked. Powell’s side went on to beat Croatia 3-0.

But there is still a huge gulf in the riches and resources in the men’s and women’s game. However, Powell feels having full access to the new national football centre is a positive step to gaining greater recognition.

She said: “They were recognised here as the Senior England team and not just the Senior Women’s England team."