Matt Murray to Open Revolutionary Football Pitch
The brand new full size third generation (3G) floodlit synthetic grass football pitch opens at Telford College next Thursday April 26 when former Wolves goalkeeper and Sky Sports pundit Matt Murray cuts the ribbon.
It is a major development for the College and sees the continuing evolvement of the successful Sports Academy and will complement the indoor Super Dome with a facility to allow all year around outdoor activity. The revolutionary pitch will cater for both football and rugby following a £200,000 cash injection from the Football Foundation and will also be available for community use with AFC Telford United, local clubs Wrekin Juniors and Admaston Juniors initial supporters of the initiative.
Sky Sports pundit and former Wolves goal keeper Matt Murray will be doing the official honour of opening the pitch and there will be representatives from the Football Foundation and Football Association in attendance as well as local dignitaries. Wolves players Wayne Hennessy and Dave Edwards will be making presentations to the participants in a 5 a side tournament featuring Telford College students which will be the facilities opening event. Matt is also going to do a goal keeping clinic with some of the students. AFC Telford manager and former Tottenham Hotspur and England winger Andy Sinton will also be present. It promises to be an exciting day for the College.
Funded by the Premier League, The FA, and the Government via Sport England, the Football Foundation is the nation’s largest sports charity. Since it was launched in 2000, the Foundation has awarded around 8,000 grants worth more than £420m towards improving grassroots sport, which it has used to attract additional partnership funding of over £520m.
Colin Walker, Assistant Principal at Telford College of Arts and Technology said “The new facility is already attracting national attention with a number of governing bodies booked in to stage high profile events. This together with confirmation last night that AFC Telford have secured their conference status for next season augers well for the future of football in and around Telford”
Paul Thorogood, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: “This funding is excellent news for the Telford area. Telford College of Arts and Technology and the County FA deserve credit for their hard work in making this happen.”
For further details of the Sports Academy and related sports courses please contact Telford College Learner Services on 01952 642237. E-mail: studserv@tcat.ac.uk
