England Under-21 manager, Stuart Pearce MBE, has officially opened a new third generation (3G) pitch in Peterborough funded by the Football Foundation and Peterborough City Council.

The new pitch will allow Netherton United Football Club to deliver their ambition of facilitating football-for-all throughout the local area. The venue will also play host to The FA’s Football Mash Up programme, which in partnership with England team sponsor, Vauxhall, is aimed at reducing the dropout rate of 14-17 year olds in football.

Stuart Pearce said: "New 3G all-weather pitches, like this one in Peterborough, are crucial to the development of young aspiring footballers who need quality facilities to train and play on.

"It is fantastic to see Football Foundation funding making such a difference to clubs and communities across the country."

Netherton United Football Club and Peterborough City Council worked in partnership with the Huntingdonshire FA to secure a £246,000 grant from the Football Foundation.

Peterborough City Council has invested over £700,000 in the project that also includes a football development office and improved access and car parking. The community facility is available to be hired by residents and teams from across Peterborough.

Ron Seddon, Chairman of Netherton United Football Club, said: "The project has already done more to integrate and encourage young footballers from different living areas and communities in Peterborough than anything else we have achieved in our 21 years of providing football.

"We are grateful to the Football Foundation and Peterborough City Council for making this happen."