May 21, 2015 11.59 am This story is over 105 months old

Football star Paul Merson to open Lincoln school sports pitch

Star-studded opening: Former England football star and Sky Sports presenter Paul Merson will be the guest of honour for a Lincoln school, as they celebrate their new all-weather sports pitch.

Former England football star and Sky Sports presenter Paul Merson will be the guest of honour for a Lincoln school, as they celebrate their new all-weather sports pitch.

The Priory City of Lincoln Academy will be officially opening their 3G artificial turf pitch after a £550,000 investment on Monday, June 22.

The school's new 3G artificial pitch was made possible after significant grants.

The school’s new 3G artificial pitch was made possible after significant grants.

The school on Skellingthorpe road completed the work last year, celebrating by inviting more than 190 children from Lincoln primary schools to its Priory Olympics and Paralympics Values Festival.

The floodlit pitch was made possible by a £250,000 grant from the Premier League & the FA Facilities Fund, topped up by £300,000 from The Priory Federation of Academies Trust.

The all-weather facility, which is marked out for 11-a-side and five-a-side matches, is also available for community hire outside of school hours.

The all-weather facility, which is marked out for 11-a-side and five-a-side matches,

The all-weather facility, which is marked out for 11-a-side and five-a-side matches,

In celebration of the opening Paul will join guests at a special ceremony.

Paul Merson, who also played for Arsenal, Aston Villa, Middlesbrough and Portsmouth during his 20-year career, is now a popular studio analyst and presenter on Sky Sports television.

Mrs Jane Hopkinson, Headteacher at the academy, said: “We’re delighted to be welcoming Paul and we are sure he’ll be as impressed as the rest of the community with what is a wonderful new facility.”