Chelsea player returns to his Newton Aycliffe school (From The Advertiser Series)

Chelsea player returns to his Newton Aycliffe school

5:24pm Monday 4th February 2013 in News By Lizzie Anderson

A FOOTBALLER who helped his team win the FA Cup and Champions League returned to his old school in County Durham today (Monday, February 4).

During his visit to Woodham Academy in Newton Aycliffe, Chelsea goalkeeper Ross Turnbull talked to GCSE PE pupils about diet, fitness and the pressures of playing at an elite level.

As a former Woodham pupil and ambassador for the school’s Sport Academy, the 28-year-old was happy to chat to youngsters and answer questions about his experiences at the Premier League club.

PE teacher and assistant head Jon Tait led the session and said the pupils had hung on Turnbull’s every word.

“Ross is someone they have seen on television and the fact they were able to speak to him and ask questions was really exciting for them,” he said. “He was fantastic with the pupils and is someone they can relate to.”

Mr Tait said the pupils had been particularly enthralled by a story Turnbull told about watching the Champions league final in 2005 when Liverpool played AC Milan.

“He watched the game with his mates in the bar at the sports complex,” said Mr Tait. “A few years later he was holding the cup aloft for Chelsea.”