New £1.3million 3G pitch in Haverhill officially opened by Arsenal player Mohamed Elneny

Arsenal star Mohamed Elneny officially opened the second 3G pitch at The New Croft in Haverhill.

The midfielder, who has won 97 caps for Egypt, cut the ribbon to declare open the pitch, which is now part of one of the best football facilities not just in Suffolk but in the south of England.

Staff at The New Croft were joined yesterday evening by local dignitaries for the opening ceremony at the Chalkstone Way site, which now boasts three stadia pitches.

SIS Pitches, who also installed the first 3G pitch at The New Croft, started work on the second 3G pitch in June and this was completed in late September.

The project cost £1.3m, with 80 per cent coming via a Football Foundation grant of £825,000 and the balance via fund-raising, donations and small grants from organisations and businesses in the local community.

Peter Betts, chief executive of Haverhill Community Sports Association who operate The New Croft site, said: “This has been a massive project to deliver.

“The volunteers, clubs and local community have been exceptional, and I am incredibly proud that we now have two 3G pitches on the site.

“To deliver this second 3G pitch in a timeframe of just 13 months from start to finish is most impressive, and the Football Foundation have been outstanding to work with this time.”

Betts also paid tribute to his staff, in particular Sophie Grey, Lois Balfour and Holly Mayhew, for their contributions.

Tom Harrison, chair of HCSA, praised Mr Betts for his ‘absolutely exceptional’ work.

“He has worked so hard on this project and my only worry with Peter is that he works too hard and too long!”

Former professional footballer Kevin Horlock, who runs the Haverhill Football Academy, the HCSA Post 16 Football Programme, said: “This is now an unbelievable facility.

“To have two 3G pitches will enable us to grow and the number of users to grow.”

Horlock, whose clubs included Ipswich Town, Manchester City and West Ham United, said he wanted to grow the provision for girls’ football and had received an enquiry about catering for international students.

“I am really excited for the future and really proud to be Haverhill Football Academy manager,” he added.