Football-mad youngsters could scarcely believe their luck at St Mary’s School in Menston.

Not only were they among the first to step out on to a new state-of-the-art pitch, they also found themselves pitted against members of a world-famous rock band.

Under newly-installed floodlights, junior footballers were joined by former pupils and Kaiser Chiefs members Peanut Baines and Nick Hodgson during the official opening of the £750,000 artificial turf pitch.

Looking on were other famous faces from the school’s past – professional footballers Aiden White, Niall Canavan, Tom Taiwo, Jordan Sinnott and Luke Hendrie, and cricketer David Wigley.

The star-studded opening ceremony was the culmination of 15 years’ work to install an all-weather pitch at the school. It has been part-funded by a £325,000 grant from the Football Foundation. Existing grass pitches at the school have also been drained.

The ribbon was cut by Sir Trevor Brooking, director of development at the Football Association, who congratulated the school on its tenacity to complete the project. “Sport has the potential to add so much to a person’s all-round education,” said the former West Ham United and England midfielder.

Former pupil Luke Hendrie, who plays for Manchester United and England youth teams, said he was itching to play on it. “The pitch is top quality,” said the 16-year-old. "Since I started, it’s been crying out for something like this to play on and not just for the school – it’s good for the wider community.”

His father, former Bradford City and Middlesbrough forward John Hendrie, said artificial pitches had come on leaps and bounds since he started playing.

Mr Hendrie, whose children have all played at Menston Juniors, said: "It will help different kids with different skills to improve dramatically, not just in football but in all sports."

The pitch, which will be used by sports clubs across Menston, Burley, Guiseley and Otley, was blessed by parish priest and school governor Father Tom O’Connor.

Acting headteacher Catherine McMahon said: “The facilities we have had at St Mary’s have never been commensurate with our status as a sports college.

“We are massively proud to have brought the project to fruition at a time of economic austerity.”