A new 3G pitch has opened at Marriotts School in Stevenage.

Carl Piergianni, captain of Stevenage Football Club, visited the school to chat to students and officially open the pitch on Tuesday, November 21.

Previously, grassroots football clubs had been stopped from using the pitch at Marriotts for matches because it was not on the FA's national register.

The Comet: Students line up with Carl on the new pitch at Marriotts School.Students line up with Carl on the new pitch at Marriotts School. (Image: Marriotts School)

But that will no longer be an issue, as the new pitch is set to be added to the relevant register, meaning clubs such as Bedwell Rangers can play games at the school again.

Beth Honnor, headteacher at Marriotts, said: "The new 3G pitch surface with FA certification means we can continue to provide our students and local community with world class facilities to continue to promote football and other sporting activities."

The Comet: Jay Drackford (left) led a Q&A session with Carl for the studentsJay Drackford (left) led a Q&A session with Carl for the students (Image: Marriotts School)

The refurbished pitch has been funded as part of the school's PFI contract with Hertfordshire County Council, and will be used for PE lessons and extra-curricular clubs during the day.

In the evenings and at weekends, it can be hired by local community teams for training and matches by emailing hirings@marriotts.herts.sch.uk.

Neil Finch, club chairman at Bedwell Rangers, said that the new pitch will be a "lifesaver" for them.

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He continued: "The last couple of months have been an absolute nightmare.

"We've been having to train - almost through the dark - on park pitches when we can get them. It's brilliant to get it back."

Steve Maker, head of football development and investment at Hertfordshire FA, said: “We welcome the news that the necessary improvements have been made to the 3G at Marriotts School.

"Once this is confirmed and listed on The FA 3G Pitch Register it will be available for clubs to use for affiliated fixtures.

"Good facilities are valuable assets to local communities, so it’s important to ensure that artificial pitches used for affiliated football are of suitable quality and provide a safe and satisfactory playing environment for all to enjoy.”