The King of Cappielow Park Andy Ritchie was back on home turf to mark the official opening of Inverclyde's latest 3rd Generation Fieldturf pitch.

A stones' throw from the ground where he made over 200 appearances for Greenock Morton, the former midfielder teamed up with another legend, ex-Scotland goalkeeper Alan Rough at Lady Octavia Park.

Andy said: "I am delighted. It is always nice to come back to Greenock, especially on an occasion like this. I remember the old pitch and this is long overdue. It is nice to know new, modern facilities are available for the East End of Greenock."

The Lady Octavia pitch is the second 3G pitch in Inverclyde at a cost of half a million pounds. East End United will play there.

Last month Inverclyde Council’s Regeneration Committee rubber-stamped the first phase of a five year £3m scheme allowing work to begin on another two 3G Fieldturf pitches at Broomhill and George Road in Gourock this financial year.


Convener Councillor Jim Clocherty said: "The fact two legends of Scottish football are here is a glowing endorsement of the Council's commitment to improve the provision of pitches in Inverclyde. Andy Ritchie was the top scorer in the old Premier League for three consecutive years and with first class facilities I am sure we can nurture record-breakers of the future."

The new Lady Octavia pitch will allow up to 28 games a week rather than just three with a grass pitch. 3G pitches are sanctioned for use by the Scottish Football Association for all levels of play up to Junior Football.

Andy said: "I am delighted. It is always nice to come back to Greenock, especially on an occasion like this."

In its 2009/11 Budget Inverclyde Council set out ambitious plans to spend £23m on new and refurbished leisure facilities in communities across the area.

They include £2.8m for a new community stadium facility at Parklea in Port Glasgow which will also be used by Port Glasgow Juniors as their home ground.

A further £2m will see the Pavilion at Parklea replaced with new changing accommodation.

Incorporating money from the £3m Sports Pitches Action Plan and other funds Parklea will be transformed to ultimately provide two 3G all weather pitches with floodlighting, seven grass pitches and a training pitch.

(GK/JM)