SAFC legend Kevin on the ball to open pitch

A Sunderland football legend has officially opened a new 4G pitch which is part of a £100,000 investment at a Wearside Sports Club.

Former Sunderland star Kevin Ball has officially opened the 4G pitch at one of the city’s oldest sporting institutions, Ashbrooke Sports Club.

The new 4G pitch is part of a £100,000 investment for the club, which also includes new floodlights.

The former Black Cats captain was on hand, along with pupils from St Aidan’s Catholic Academy who helped fundraise for the pitch, to welcome the investment to the area.

Ashbrooke Sports Club, in West Lawn, has a rich history in the city that dates back to 1887 and the new pitch will play a big part in the clubs future.

Commercial and Grants Manager at Ashbrooke Sports Club, Dermot Hamblin, is delighted with the benefits the pitch will bring to the club.

He said: “One of the challenges we have at Ashbrooke, like any other sports club that plays on grass, there’s certain times of the year where either the pitch is flooded or you don’t want to be on the pitch because it’s getting a bit tired.

"So now we’ll be able to offer all-season round training and better support members which is a huge benefit.”

“It’s a really great pitch which will be well used for the variety of sports we offer at the club.”

Dating back to 1887, Ashbrooke Sports Club has an almost 140-year history and is home to a number of sports such as bowls, cricket, hockey, rugby, running, squash and tennis, with the club hoping the pitch will allow it to further expand and develop more a relationship with the local community.

Dermot added: “It’s really important for the local community to have this kind of facility and we’re really keen to engage with the community and open it up to them.”

Future plans the club hope to introduce with the pitch include walking football and more sporting activities for the elderly in the community.

In March this year, Ashbrooke Sports Club opened a new coffee shop in its historic grounds with stunning views of Sunderland.

Kevin Ball has a helping hand from St Aidan’s Catholic Academy pupils, from left, Billy Robinson, Noah Taylor and Elliot Moon to open the 4G sports pitch.

Kevin Ball enjoyed a kickabout with Noah Taylor.