A JUNIOR football club has been given the chance to play in its own backyard after its devoted coach bought land from a local farmer.

Johnny Walker, a staunch Manchester United supporter, was tired of seeing his Tarvin Rockets side play their games away from home.

So after completing a deal to purchase farmland off Ashton Lane, adjacent to the Kelsall bypass, the club finally have a pitch they can call home.

Using contacts at the Old Trafford club, Walker, who has labelled the ground the ‘field of dreams’, was delighted to have former United striker Brian McClair in attendance for the official opening.

“For years we had nowhere to play. This ground came up for sale and we decided to buy it.

“My brother Rodney has built the clubhouse and it’s a pretty impressive building.

“The FA had promised to give £20,000 for another pitch which I have been chasing for a couple of years but I have given up now.

“But what I have done is to continue fundraising. We are raising cash through lots of different activities with help from parents and volunteers.”

Walker said his ‘field of dreams’ was named after Old Trafford, known as the Theatre of Dreams, but also because of what the football pitch represents.

“It is a dream for me and for these boys to have a such a place like this to play,” he said.

“It’s a great surface which encourages players to play good football. Brian McClair was really impressed by it.”

As well as the Rockets, who play in the Mid Cheshire Youth League, Tarvin seniors and veteran teams also play regularly at the ground.

They are sponsored by Ed Whalley’s Crocky Trail and Paul Heath’s All Pave UK design and construction firm.