WATFORD Football Club stars were out in force for the official opening of the new site at King George V Playing Fields on behalf of Barclays Spaces for Sports in Watford yesterday (Thursday).

Five of the club's first team - Marlon King, Malky Mackay, Gavin Mahon, Jobi McAnuff and Hameur Bouazza - joined guests and the local community to celebrate the opening, where local youngsters took part in sporting activities to showcase the new facility.

Following a £255,000 cash injection from Barclays and support from delivery partner Groundwork, a new Multi Use Games Area has replaced an existing, rundown games area. The site, just two miles from Vicarage Road, provides a range of activities for the local community including football, cricket and basketball.

Striker King was impressed with the new facilities and felt humbled by the occasion, "These guys are the future, they are what keeps sport and the whole world ticking round. It's important that they get the support they need because it is so easy for kids to go in the wrong direction. We all do a number of these events each year, they are always enjoyable. It's certainly very flattering to see kids out there with your name on their back - it brings you down to earth and shows that people pay attention to what we're doing at Watford."

With the backing of Watford FC the site is part of a £30million investment from the Barclays Spaces for Sports initiative to create sustainable sports facilities across the UK. The project will receive a further £20,000 from Barclays to ensure the sustainability of the site plus kit and equipment worth £2,000.

Malky Mackay added his support to the project and said: "It's fantastic what Barclays and the Football Foundation are doing here at the moment and they've found a great area here in Watford. The kids here are thoroughly enjoying it, the turnout has been good so it's beneficial for the local community."

Since the announcement of the scheme in September 2004, Barclays Spaces for Sports has opened more than 150 sites and awarded more than 3,450 coaching packs to local communities up and down the country, giving over 420,000 disadvantaged people the opportunity to benefit from sport.

Watford FC Manager Aidy Boothroyd, said: "I think it's great that Barclays Spaces for Sports is investing in this site, which is close to Vicarage Road.The facility will give lots of people the opportunity to try new sports and activities and hopefully we'll see some Watford stars of the future using the new site."

Jeremy Rance, Regional Director for the Eastern Region at Barclays, said:"Barclays believes that sport has a key role to play in revitalising our communities and sites like this one in Watford are central to this. The new site will make sport more accessible and encourage a new wave of participants to enjoy the facilities on offer."

Tony Hawkhead, Chief Executive of Groundwork, said: "Not only will this site provide a local resource for young people and adults to boost their health and fitness, it will also provide a focal point for members of different communities to interact and come together.By investing in sports at grassroots level Barclays Spaces for Sports is also helping to build stronger neighbourhoods."

Sir David Richards, Chairman of the Football Foundation and Premier League, added his support: "It is essential for the future of sport and the health of our nation that all communities have access to the kind of modern grass roots facilities that will be on display here in Watford. This outstanding new development is set to offer a host of new sporting opportunities for communities in and around the area."

Elected Mayor Dorothy Thornhill, of Watford Borough Council, said: "This new venue will be a great asset to many people, right across the town. We are really proud to be associated with Barclays Spaces for Sports, and Watford Football Club, with whom we have excellent relations."

Barclays Spaces for Sports, a partnership between Barclays, the Football Foundation and Groundwork, will create further sports sites for local communities and continues to provide kit and equipment for groups across the UK.