Football
Athletic’s new home is officially opened

Buy photos » Former Leicester City legend Steve Walsh is presented with his medal by Mayor Robert Coleman. (s)

LUTTERWORTH Athletic enjoyed one of their busiest weekends since their move to Hall Park with the official ground opening taking place on Saturday.

Athletic invited the newly formed AFC Rushden Diamonds to the renamed Weston Arena and in front of a large crowd Chairman Mick English introduced Leicester City legend Steve Walsh and Town Mayor Robert Coleman to complete the honours.

Mayor Coleman presented Walsh with an inscribed gold medal to remember the day by whilst chairman Mick English went on to thank ground sponsor Clive Weston, stand sponsor Mark English and over 30 other local companies that had made the day special.

Walsh then thanked the club and praised them on providing one of the best facilities in the Midlands. He went on to say a special thanks to English and all of the other club members who had worked tirelessly to make it all possible.

Phase two of the development of a further ten acres is also well underway and should be ready for all 24 Athletic sides to be housed at Hall Park for the start of next season.

Walsh also drew out the raffle of all companies that took place in the prize draw to become first team sponsors for the forthcoming season and Combined Knowledge was the name drawn out of the hat, much to the delight of Company Director Steve Smith, who said: “Firstly on behalf of Combined Knowledge we are really proud to be the first team sponsors for this season and as a local company we hope to support the club well into the future and support all levels and age groups within the club.”

Smith also asked if he could have a charity on the front of the shirts instead of his company name and after speaking with club member Phil Needham, decided to donate this to the Matthew Needham charity, now well established at the club.

On the field, Athletic’s u18s took on Rushden’s u18s and lost a very close match 4-3.

Athletic’s first team then entertained Rushden’s first team and despite taking a 2-0 lead well into the second half with goals from Danny Laywood and Ben Laxton, had to settle for a 2-2 draw.

The Development Squad entertained an American touring side from the college of Philadelphia on Friday and after a very tight 60 minutes eventually ran out 4-2 winners.

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