Footballing legend and World Cup hero, Sir Geoff Hurst, last week took time out of his busy schedule to visit Shildon, where he officially opened the Alun Armstrong Soccer Centre.
Although the centre – on George Reynolds Industrial Estate – has been open to the public for over a year, former Middlesbrough striker Alun Armstrong wanted a noteworthy figure to officially open it.
Sir Geoff, who scored a hat-trick in England’s 4-2 win over Germany in the 1966 World Cup Final, was impressed with the centre, saying, “In one word, the centre is fantastic.”
He went on to reminisce about how he learned to play football in the streets of his home-town and said that – with facilities like the Alun Armstrong Soccer Centre – there is no excuse for the North East not to produce top-quality players and perhaps even produce another Paul Gascoigne.
During his visit, Sir Geoff also presented medals to young footballers who took part in a half-term training camp, and signed autographs for fans of many generations.
Steve Coulthard, mastermind of the event, gave a warm thanks to Sir Geoff for officially opening the centre, which has been five years in the making.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
