Guy Ritchie attends opening of Shaftesbury football pitch

Guy Ritchie attended the opening ceremony of a new artificial football pitch in Shaftesbury on August 6, delighting children, parents and organisers.

The new £500,000 pitch is a collaborative project between Shaftesbury Football Club and the town council which began in March in a bid to make sport more accessible to residents.

The Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels director, who lives just across the border in Wiltshire, was among around 300 people who attended the opening ceremony. The football club now stocks 'Gritchie' beer made at Guy Ritchie's brewery.

Councillor Piers Brown, representing the Shaftesbury East ward, was one of several councillors at the launch. He said: "I think it's fantastic that Guy was there, he was a true gentleman and couldn't be more generous with his time.

"He is a great champion and advocate for the community and nothing was too much bother for him. He recently directed Aladdin so the kids went wild and he was happy to take photos with them all which was great.

"He was an absolute superstar."

New football pitch in Shaftesbury Picture: Shaftesbury Town Council

Before the new pitch was completed, the children of Shaftesbury had to travel to Guys Marsh Sports Field to play football, however, most of them will now be able to walk to the new pitch, making it easier for them to get active.

Shaftesbury Town Council say the new pitch is a game charger for sport in the town being able to host more than 150 youngsters weekly as well as all of the football club's 4/5 competitive teams. It will also available for anyone to hire.

The artificial pitch is said to offer the town greater flexibility and durability, allowing for continual back-to-back use compared to the one game a week the old grass pitch could host.

Cllr Brown said: "Historically, we've had the best part of 200 children going to Guys Marsh to play football on a Saturday, whereas now they can walk to footie practice which is a massive thing if they are unable to get a lift. The new pitch can give kids structure and somewhere to go."

Plans are also in the works to create a BTEC registered football academy, providing post-16 vocational education for young people interested in careers in sport.

The loan taken out to build the new facility will be paid back from the income of a new permit holders car park currently being constructed adjacent to the football pitch. Future replacement and maintenance costs will be covered by the fees of hiring the facility.

Cllr Brown said: "Shaftesbury's sporting facilities are now the envy of Dorset. A massive thank you to everybody who worked with and supported the town council and the football club to make this dream come true."