Arsenal legend Ian Wright is giving back to the community that helped shape him and honouring his close friend David “Rocky” Rocastle by constructing the “Rocky and Wrighty Arena” at his former primary school in Lewisham.Â
Ian Wright and David Rocastle both grew up on the Honor Oak Estate and went to school at Turnham Academy. Wrighty is now looking to pay tribute to his much-loved friend by installing the small-sided 3G football pitch on the grounds of the school.
This isn’t the first time Wrighty has honoured his late friend in recent days, as it was only in the beginning of October when the Arsenal legend and Adidas came together for the collaborative “Honor Oak” trainers collection. Take a closer look here.Â
You can check out the new “Rocky and Wrighty Arena” football turf pitch just below:
The new facility has been funded by EA SPORTS, plus the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation.Â
Expected to be ready for action in early 2023, the new pitch will provide a much-needed grassroots sports facility in the heart of South London. The pitch will also feature a mural dedicated to Ian Wright and David Rocastle – designed by local artist Lionel Stanhope.Â
In a statement, Ian Wright said: “Rocky and I grew up playing on small pitches, we’d play anywhere and talk about our dreams of playing professionally. Those dreams started right here at Turnham Academy, I think everyone knows what this school and my teacher Mr Pigden mean to me.Â
“The Rocky and Wrighty Arena is here, right behind Rocastle Road! It’s here for the school, it’s here for the Honor Oak community and the local clubs that will have access. An incredible amount of work has gone into the project over the last 18 months and I’m very grateful to the Football Foundation and EA SPORTS for really following through on their commitment to grassroots sports.”
Turnham Academy was the school where Ian Wright met his teacher and friend ‘Mr Pigden’ who Ian described as: “the first male figure in my life who was trying to guide me on the right road.” The name may ring a bell from THAT viral video of Wrighty meeting Mr Pigden for the first time in 25 years.Â
Ian Wright continues to set a positive example on how to give back to your friends, mentor, and community in which you spent so many years of your childhood life.Â
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