New pitch for Abbey

England legend Gary Lineker was on hand to officially open the new football pitches for disabled children at The Abbey School in Surrey.

Lineker, on behalf of the Football Foundation, and trustees of the Children With Special Needs Foundation, conducted the official opening of the new football pitch and presented the school in Farnham with a new seven-seater vehicle and sports kit for football and rugby, on Wednesday 8th October.

The Abbey School is a special needs secondary school for students with Learning Difficulties and Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD).

Previously, the school's football pitch was sloped and had poor drainage, but thanks to a £40,000 grant from the Football Foundation, the UK's largest sports charity, and support from Surrey County Council, the school now has a brand new, flat pitch for their pupils.

The Football Foundation is dedicated to revitalising the grass roots of the game, constructing modern football facilities, developing football as a force for social cohesion and as a vehicle for education in communities throughout the country.

Funded by the Premier League, The Football Association and the Government, the Football Foundation is the nation's largest sports charity with a £40m budget going straight into the heart of football.

Paul Thorogood, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: "Football is our national game and the Football Foundation is investing money from the top of the game into the grass roots to help give everyone the opportunity to play it and stay healthy.

"These excellent new playing surfaces at The Abbey School are the latest example of how we are creating a level playing field across the country and opening up access to sports. It is fitting that one of this country's finest ever strikers in Gary Lineker is declaring them open.

"I want to congratulate the Abbey School staff and Surrey County FA for making this happen."

Jill Currie, PE Manager at The Abbey School, said: "The fantastic Football Foundation grant has enabled all of our enthusiastic special needs football players to be able to play on a high quality level grass football pitch of the correct size, through out the year.

"We will also be able to host teams from other schools. We would also like to thank Surrey County Council for their generous contribution towards this partnership funding enterprise."

source:-The FA.com