Pitch perfect for young Lions
EX-RAMS STAR HOPES NEW SURFACE WILL INSPIRE GENERATION OF FOOTBALLERS
A FORMER Derby County star and England Under-20s manager says he hopes a new artificial pitch at a Swadlincote school will inspire young footballing talent to fulfil their dreams to wear the Three Lions shirt.
Paul Simpson, who played for the Rams between 1992 and 1997, was joined by Brewers manager Nigel Clough to open the Pingle Academy’s new pitch.
The Coronation Street school has had an artificial pitch since 2005 but it has now been given a new lease of life following a £240,000 cash injection.
The money was spent upgrading the playing surface, installing a new drainage system and refurbishing the floodlights to bring them in line with new requirements.
The pitch was officially unveiled on Tuesday when representatives from local football, including Burton Albion, Gresley FC and Woodville Football Club, met youngsters who use the pitch.
Mr Simpson, who led England’s Under-20s to World Cup glory in South Korea last summer, was on hand to cut the ribbon.
He said: “You look at the facility and it’s an excellent surface to play on. I’m sure the Pingle Academy and the wider community will benefit from this facility and hopefully there will be some future England players coming through having played football here.”
Also at the unveiling was Councillor Michael Stanton, who spoke to youngsters at the academy about the pitch.
The academy worked with the Football Foundation, Derbyshire County Football Association and South Derbyshire District Council to secure £239,934 from the Premier League and the FA Facilities Fund towards the project.
Burton Albion manager Nigel Clough said: “It’s a great new facility that will be a tremendous asset to the school and the community.
“Pingle was named the most improved school in all of Derbyshire this year and everyone should be very proud of what they have achieved.”
The pitch will benefit community groups as well as pupils at the academy, including Newhall FC, Woodville FC and the Burton Junior League.
The surface is set to support several affiliated football teams over the next five years, with the number of teams using the facility rising from 48 to 73.