STUDENTS had the chance to meet former Ipswich Town midfielder Matt Holland when he came to their school to open a new all-weather sports pitch.

He made the special visit to St Benedict’s Catholic School in Bury St Edmunds on Friday, where he chatted to students and signed autographs.

The new sports surface - which is equally suited for hockey, five-a-side football, tennis and netball - is part of the upgrading of the school for September this year, when it takes in its first year seven students.

Mr Holland, who is now a media pundit, also enjoyed a school meal during the visit and put in a few kilometres on a running machine in the fitness suite as part of a fundraising sports marathon.

Headteacher Hugh O’Neill said: “He was a delight. He was charming and did everything we asked him to do.”

He added: “We have a very good school playing field with full-size pitches for rugby, football and hockey, but we have felt the need to have an all-year, all-round multi-use surface.

“This will be a great facility for PE lessons, and also for leisure use at breaks and lunchtimes.”

The school hopes the new facility - which cost about £45,000 - will prove of interest to local sports clubs, and hopes at some stage to install lighting to make it even more versatile.