Sky TV celebrity Jeff Stelling returned to Winchester last night to officially open a new floodlit artificial grass sports pitch.
Mr Stelling, Sky Sports Soccer Saturday and Countdown presenter and who lives in Alresford, was at Henry Beaufort School in Harestock as the guest of honour at the event, which included a reception with members of the local community, the formal opening and a football event with pupils and staff.
Earlier this year he presented a Football Foundation cheque to the secondary school to enable the work to start. The foundation's grant of £342,377, combined with £130,000 from Winchester City Council, has made a major contribution to the £600,000 scheme. Henry Beaufort is aiming to create a community centre of excellence for youth football for all.
The Winchester area is short of all-weather training facilities suitable for football and this state-of-the-art pitch will support the development and participation in football at all ability levels.
Mr Stelling said: "I am delighted to join the local community and staff at Henry Beaufort to celebrate the opening of this facility. People say it's an impossible dream to become a footballer but I see having a facility like this as a chance for youngsters to fulfil their dreams."
Jonathan de Sausmarez, headteacher, said: "It is a great moment to have finally reached the stage when we can open one of the best school and community facilities in Hampshire."
Prospective Winchester MP Steve Brine attended the opening, and is pictured above with Mr de Sausmarez and city councillor Ian Tait; “Winchester deserves the very best in every area; we have a world-class running track at Bar End and we have this excellent new facility at Henry Beaufort. It brought back many memories for me, I can’t wait to get my shorts on and test it out!”
