1966 World Cup Winner Sir Geoff Hurst back on the pitch

Sir Geoff, who scored a hat-trick in the 1966 4-2 win over West Germany at Wembley, nearly 49 years ago, was at Castleford Academy, on Ferrybridge Road, on Friday afternoon.

The 73-year old was there to launch the 2015 FA Community Awards.

Last year Castleford White Rose Ladies FC were the winners of one of the categories.

West Riding County FA also launched their search for Grassroots heroes, as part of the FA Community Awards which are presented by McDonald’s.

Sir Geoff, who in his role as McDonald’s Director of Football, is leading the search to find this year’s grassroots heroes.

He said: “It is my absolute privilege to see the work of Castleford White Rose. The club exemplifies all that is great about the grassroots game and I can see why they impressed the judges so much.”

Friday’s launch event coincided with the presentation of a £375,000 cheque from the Football Foundation to Castleford Academy. The cash will contribute to the construction of a full-size all-weather floodlit pitch which will complement the existing sports facilities and expand the number of opportunities for the local community to access high level sporting facilities.

For more information go to http://www.thefa.com/my-football/community/fa-community-awards