£700,000 artificial pitch to open in Sunderland

Houghton Kepier Sports College in Houghton le Spring near Sunderland, Durham, is to unveil a £700,000 full-size, dual-use artificial turf pitch tomorrow (11 October).

The facility – which will be open to the general public outside of school hours – was funded by the Football Foundation, which donated £400,000, while another £120,000 came from the Rugby Football Union (RFU) and the college itself provided £150,000.

Paul Thorogood, chief executive of the Football Foundation, said: “The fantastic new facilities on display here are testament to the work of the Houghton Kepier Sports College and the Durham Football Association.

“It is great to see rugby and football combining to support grassroots sports and I hope the foundation can continue its fruitful partnership with the RFU.”

Sunderland AFC and Wales defender Danny Collins will officially open the pitch.

As well as the new pitch, the college also now boasts new equipment and machinery, including goal posts, corner flags, rugby posts and padding and a maintenance tractor. Details: www.footballfoundation.org.uk