Ian Wright opens the ‘Rocky & Wrighty Arena’ at former primary school

Former England and Arsenal striker Ian Wright opened a new all-weather football pitch at his old school this week.

Popular pundit Mr Wright was joined by members of the family of the late David ‘Rocky’ Rocastle, with whom he played for the Gunners and who tragically died from cancer at the age of just 33.

The 3G football pitch at Turnham Academy in Turnham Road, Brockley is named the Rocky and Wrighty Arena, and is overlooked by the estate the close friends grew up on.

The pair honed their football skills on the concrete playground at the school before going on to play alongside each other as professionals.

The pitch, funded by the Football Foundation, is flanked by a spectacular mural dedicated to the friends and former teammates, painted by artist Lionel Stanhope.

The floodlit pitch will provide children and people in the community access to a quality, safe and inclusive place to play all-year round. Mr Wright said: “Seeing this pitch open and looking so good makes me really proud. It’s going to make such a difference to so many kids in the area I grew up in.

“For me, it’s more than a pitch, it’s a tribute to my dear friend, David Rocastle, which I hope will inspire more young people to fall in love with football.

“We used to spend hours kicking a ball about and now these kids have a proper pitch to play on. It’s so exciting for them.

“Everyone deserves the opportunity to reach their potential, and this pitch will give kids from Turnham Academy and the local area the space to do that.”

Mr Rocastle died in March 2001 after suffering an aggressive from the aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

As well as being used by Turnham Academy, Millwall Community Trust will use the pitch outside of school hours to run sessions.

Hillyfielders FC will also be using the pitch for their training sessions throughout the week.

Miz Mann, headteacher at Turnham Academy, said: “This pitch will be game-changing for the pupils at Turnham Academy and for the local community. Ian and David’s legacy as former pupils mean a great deal to this school.

“I hope their success and Ian’s dedication to honouring his friend’s memory will inspire everyone who comes to play here.

“You never know, the next Rocky and Wrighty might be playing on this pitch right now.”

Pictured top: Ian Wright at the new Turnham Academy pitch (Picture: Football Foundation)