ASTON Villa and Wales defender James Chester, returned to his former school, Birchwood High School, Warrington, to open their newly refurbished third generation artificial grass pitch today.
The refurbished full-size pitch was made possible thanks to investment from the Premier League, The FA and Government, through their charity, the Football Foundation.
After netting a £367,235 grant from the Football Foundation, the refurbishment of the pitch began in December last year. The school also contributed £90,000 from school funds to make the project possible.
The existing floodlit all-weather pitch was installed in 2010, but due to on-going quality issues was rapidly deteriorating, which led to its closure for community use in 2017.
This forced partner clubs Birchwood Juniors FC and Woolston Rovers FC find other pitches for matches and training.
Both clubs can now return home.
The new pitch will also provide students with a first-class playing surface for use throughout the school day in PE lessons, for school sports teams and extracurricular clubs.
Bournemouth AFC and Wales winger David Brooks and Bristol City midfielder Josh Brownhill both also attended the school and will act as inspiration for the next generation of footballers in the community.
Headteacher Moira Bryan said: “We are absolutely delighted that through support from the Premier League, The FA and Government we are able to open our new 3G pitch. Our young people in school, the local community and grassroots sport in Warrington will all be able to benefit greatly from this facility.”
