THE wind blew and it was chilly, but that did not prevent a large and enthusiastic turn-out for the official opening of the 3G pitch at Anstey Park.

Alton Town and Alton United Youth will next year become united as one club – Alton Football Club – in a venture that will promote grass-roots football and hopefully advance Alton’s fortunes as a Wessex League club.

The Brewers now have facilities which will be the envy of many non-League clubs in the south.

The focal point is the 3G pitch, a high-tech synthetic surface specifically designed for football and rugby. The 3G ‘grass’ is supported by a thin base layer of sand with an infill of rubber crumb.

The surface requires little maintenance and is proof against heavy rain. Indeed, Alton should be able to play in all weathers, even snow if there are enough volunteers to sweep it off.

The major refurbishment has been financed by Molson Coors, Alton Town’s previous landlords at the Bass Sports Ground, which is now to be developed, and the Enclosure at Anstey Park also boasts a compact grandstand, spanking new floodlights and the associated walkways and fencing which clubs require for senior football. The changing-rooms have been refurbished too.

Amongst the guests on Saturday was George Burley, the former Ipswich, Derby, Southampton and Scotland manager. The man who played almost 400 games for Ipswich as well as representing Scotland 11 times, had a coaching session with the Alton United Amazons girls U14 team on the new pitch and addressed a few words to the Alton Town first team before kick-off in their match against AFC Stoneham.

It clearly helped because the Brewers won 4-0.

Matthew Bayliss, Alton’s deputy mayor, cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony and was joined by George Burley, Jonathan Fair of Molson Coors, Ben Norfolk, chairman of Alton United Youth, and members of the Amazons team.

George Burley said: “This is a fantastic facility for grass-roots football and the community and its value will be seen in training. The kids are the future and hopefully they will filter through to first-team level.

“It was a great experience for me to play under Bobby Robson who was a great believer in football being part of the community.”

Matthew Bayliss remarked that he had seen Burley’s Ipswich lift the FA Cup in 1978. “You usually see an excellent all-weather surface like this on the continent. Grass-roots football in Alton can only get stronger with this facility.”

Many people had been involved in the scheme, said the deputy mayor, but he singled out Jim McKell, Alton Town’s indefatigable chairman, Ben Norfolk, the Town Council and Molson Coors for their “constant engagement with the local community.”

Jonathan Fair paid tribute to the “mums and dads who support grass-roots football” and he wished the future Alton FC the best of luck.

Jim McKell, too, thanked everyone who had helped Alton on “the long road leading to all this.” This sentiment was echoed by Ben Norfolk, the driving force behind Alton United Youth. “It has taken five years and it makes Alton feel like a proper club again.” But he added that the work carries on as the two clubs prepare to become Alton Football Club next year in a merger that will see some 30 teams of all ages coming together.