United legend opens school pitches

Photo: Tony Miller

Paul Scholes walks to the pitches with head teacher Karl Newell

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A GUARD of honour greeted Manchester United legend Paul Scholes as he officially opened Crompton House School’s new “3G” pitches.

The facility has been named after the school’s former chairman of governors Leon Ashton, who held the position for 25 years. Pupils lined the road in football kit as the whole school converged on the pitches to see the football star.

Head teacher Karl Newell said: “I’d like to thank Paul for coming to open the pitches. He’s a respected figure and we’re glad he came to celebrate with us.”

The £955,000 all-weather pitches are used up to 9pm on weekdays and at weekends. They replaced an old shale-surfaced area and will be available for community use.

Paul told the crowd: “It takes a lot of hard work to get something like this built and I’m sure you will all look after it and play some great games of football on it.”

The project hasn’t been without controversy: local residents objected to the plans on grounds of light and noise close to their homes