EXCLUSIVE: Take a look inside Birmingham Legion’s new training facility (PHOTOS)

As the club celebrates its seventh anniversary, Birmingham Legion FC is opening a new training facility connected to its training grounds on Highway 280.

While the official ribbon cutting is set for August 15, players have been using most of the facilities since June. And we were able to get in a few days early to see the building as the finishing touches were being added.

Read on for an exclusive look inside the new facility + learn more about the Legion’s season, including when you can catch them at Protective Stadium as the push for a home playoff game continues.

‘All the needs of a professional football player’

The Legion has always practiced at Dunnavant Valley Fields in Shelby County, and building a training facility there was an early priority. However, limited lot space and the pandemic temporarily curtailed those plans.

But the club finally started to see more progress over the last year and now, the facility is complete. The building includes:

• Weight room
• Meeting rooms
• Coaching offices
• Training room
• Changing room
• Direct access to the Dunnavant Valley fields

The largest room in the facility is the gym, which has all the equipment needed for things like weightlifting and cardio. They also built the gym with a large open space for players to do pre-workout exercises like sprints and stretches.

“The technology behind how players are going to improve and how we make sure they have the best tools to perform at their best. That was design number one. It created a gym space that meets all the needs of a professional football player.”

~ Jay Heaps, General Manager Birmingham Legion FC

The club hopes that this facility will be used not only to improve the players currently in the squad, but also to give other players a reason to want to be in Birmingham.

Whether it’s signing new players or convincing bigger clubs to loan their players to the Legion, this facility could play a role in the final selling point.

“It’s very important. As players are getting more involved in their playing paths, having a facility like this is definitely a great resource for players. We’ve been able to re-sign a lot of our guys because they knew it was being done. It’s something we’re actively discussing with potential recruits to say this is a place where you can come, do your rehab and do your work.”

~ Jay Montes

Although the team only recently moved into the building, there has been a noticeable change in attitude around the club. And that may be showing on the field too, with Legion currently on a four-game unbeaten streak, their longest of the season.

“It’s a game changer… Having a home gives you a different perspective on even things like strength and conditioning work. There are so many aspects to keeping these guys in tip-top shape and having all of that available is tremendous.”

~ Tommy Soehn, Birmingham Legion Head Coach

Partnership with UAB

Another part of the facility that is already fully functional is a UAB Medicine physical therapy clinic. The clinic opened to patients in late July, bringing a UAB facility much closer to many Shelby County residents.

The clinic focuses on treatments such as:

• Care for acute/subacute orthopedic injuries
• Treatment for Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
• Concussion Care
• Treatment for orthopedic, musculoskeletal and sports/athletic injuries
• Pre and post-surgical rehabilitation

The Legion’s partnership with UAB is nothing new, but having them as part of this new facility makes a big difference.

“Our doctors were the best I’ve ever had in my entire career. And I’ve had some really good doctors along the way… Having them in the house is just great.”

~ Tommy Soehn, Birmingham Legion Head Coach

For the next generation

While players may directly benefit most from the new facility, the Legion hopes to use it as another connection to the community.

The senior men’s team receives most of the attention, but the club also fields a women’s team in the USL W League and a youth team in the USL League 2. Both teams will use the facility for training and also as a locker room when they host matches at Dunnavant Valley Fields.

The Legion will continue to use the fields and facilities for various clinics and events. There will be a full-time team store at the main entrance of the facility, which will also be open during BUSA events at the fields.

“When I came here for my first interview six years ago, we talked about a lot of things we wanted to achieve. Six years later, a lot of that has come true. We’re moving in the right direction in a lot of ways, we have more teams, we have the whole academy under us and now we have this. It continues to move in the right direction.”

~ Tommy Soehn

2024 Birmingham Legion FC

The Legion are carrying some momentum into the final third of the season. With 24 matches in the books, the club currently sits fifth in the Eastern Conference standings, tied with Indy Eleven on points.

The top four teams in the conference will earn a home game in the first round of the USL Championship playoffs. Birmingham has a good chance of taking sole possession of fourth place with the next two games taking place at Protective Stadium.

Here’s what you need to know:

Have you been to a Birmingham Legion game this season? Post your photos and tag us @bhamnow to let us know!