By Alana Razzell

PUPILS at Charters School went football crazy last week at the official opening of their new playing field and sports courts.

As part of the ribbon-cutting ceremony teachers from the Sunningdale school thrashed it out on the pitch against a host of local celebrities — including former England player and manager Glenn Hoddle, ex-Manchester United and England star Ray Wilkins and pundits and presenters Jim Rosenthal, Tony Jardine, Richard Keys and Alan Parry — in a seven-aside football match last Thursday.

The new floodlit astro turf and netball courts, which were officially opened by the ex-England manager, is part of the school’s transformation into a specialist sports college.

The astro turf, which cost a whopping £50,000 to construct, was heavily sponsored by Hoddle’s old club, Southampton FC, which donated £15,000.

The new field will enable pupils and local residents to try a wider variety of sports.