Lord Pendry, President of the Football Foundation, visited Kirkby this week to officially open the new state-of-the-art 3G football pitch based on Cherryfield Drive.

The new full-sized, floodlit pitch is a welcome addition for the local area. The high-quality facilities are set to provide support for novices in the area, many of whom have gone onto become legends of the pitch – take Premier League players including Steven Gerrard, Leighton Baines, Phil Thompson and Peter Reid who are all from Knowlsey.

Local high schools including Kirkby High School and All Saints High School will be taking part in a football match to test out the new facilities.

The £610,736 facility has become a reality thanks to a £479,999 grant secured by Volair from the Premier League and The FA Facilities Fund, which is delivered by the Football Foundation.  The remaining investment has been provided by Volair.

The new pitch complements the recently refurbished Kirkby Leisure Centre, located on the same site, and provides better facilities for the local community to enjoy all year round.

The site will be used by Everton in the Community and Quarrygreen Football Club, along with local leagues, teams, schools and businesses. In addition, coaching sessions and walking football will also take place on the new pitch.

Kevin Schofield, Managing Director of Volair, said “I’m delighted to welcome Lord Pendry to Knowsley to see the high-class facilities we have here.  This new pitch wouldn’t have been possible without the grant we secured from the Preimer League and the FA Facilities Fund. This new pitch, with it’s 3G surface and floodlights, provides quality footballing facilities all year round and it will help to encourage and support more grassroots football in Knowsley.”