The present building on Bromborough International Business Park has changing rooms, a canteen, classrooms and a mezzanine viewing area, making it ideal for the scheme with minimal modifications.

The plan is to create three two-third size pitches, which will all be indoors to that they could be used throughout the year.

Local colleges have already said they would be interested in making use of the facility, as well as sports clubs.

Cllr Steve Niblock had told the committee there had been numerous examples of buildings being used for facilities outside the remit of their zoning.

He said: “Wirral would be shooting itself in the foot if it throws away this once-in-a- lifetime opportunity.”

Cllr Niblock also said the council’s own figures show there are another 11 empty sites comprising almost 150,000 sq ft of industrial unit space lying vacant in the immediate vicinity of the proposed coaching facility.

Cllr Niblock has written to the Government Office North West in support of the scheme and pressing for “a speedy and favourable decision”.

He said: “I am stressing to Government office North West not only would jobs and training places be created, but also the lack of indoor facilities in the area and the potential benefits for the local community of which unique facility that will put Wirral on a national and maybe even international stage for sports training.

Cabinet member for culture Bob Moon said a “world-class sports academy would not only raise Wirral’s profile nationally but also bring in jobs and investment”.