Joe Thompson has sports pitch named after him by local primary school

Joe Thompson opens St Vincent’s Primary School Multi-Use Games Arena

Rochdale AFC footballer Joe Thompson has had a multi-use games arena named after him by St Vincent’s Primary School.

Thompson returned to his former school in Norden on Wednesday to officially open the ‘JT Arena’.

The whole school turned out onto the playground to watch their guest of honour cut the ribbon and unveil a special plaque which takes pride of above the entrance to the sports pitch.

The 29-year-old is extremely grateful, he said: “The ‘JT Arena’ is a fantastic new facility, and it's such an honour to have had this named after me. I can’t thank the school enough for this amazing gesture or the reception I received on Wednesday afternoon – it was really quite humbling.

“I’ve got nothing but fond memories of my time at St Vincent’s Primary School, so it was great to go back and visit. I remember when I was a kid getting kicked off the playground by the caretaker as late as 4.30pm, having stayed behind to play football, and although things have changed and everything looks a bit shinier and newer, I can remember it like it was yesterday.”

Stephen Callaghan, the school’s head teacher, added: “We were delighted that Joe was able to come to the school and officially open our new sports pitch which we named the ‘JT Arena’ after him.

“Joe was great with the children, he spent time talking to them and answering lots of their questions. We are very proud that Joe is a former pupil of St Vincent’s and his story of perseverance and determination is an inspiration to us all.”