Petr Cech returns to Walton to launch Xcel3, Elmbridge's new Synthetic Turf Pitch

Three years on from when he opened the Xcel Centre the Chelsea keeper Petr Cech returned to Walton on Thames to launch the centre's fantastic new football pitch.

The Chelsea Goalkeeper was happy to attend the opening: "It's great that the area now has this great new pitch and to see so many children down here today enjoying themselves. It's good that Chelsea, the Football Foundation and the Council are putting something back into their communities and I know the Chelsea coaches are looking forward to making a huge difference."

Since October 2009, Elmbridge's new state-of-the-art synthetic turf pitch has proved very popular with local football clubs and 5-a-side teams. Regular training slots have been snapped up and the Council has received excellent feedback on the quality of the paying surface.

The new Xcel3 facility could not have been achieved without a grant of £949,500 from the Football Foundation and is being used to provide a range of footballing activities to players of all ages and abilities in Elmbridge.

The full size floodlit pitch can also be divided into thirds for five-a-side games. The grant has also helped fund a four-changing room pavilion, situated adjacent to the pitch.

The site will be a base for Chelsea's award winning community coaching and social inclusion work in the area - providing opportunities for thousands of local children as well as using football as vehicle to engage disaffected young people, cutting down crime and anti social behaviour in the area.

The Council will also be maximizing the use of the pitch, and engage a wide range of partners to help develop football to the whole community including Walton Casuals and the Surrey FA County Disability League.

The pitch is available for the community to use and for private hiring. For more information on booking the pitch please contact |Elmbridge Xcel Leisure Complex