Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley was the guest of honour as Oxenhope Football Club kicked off their centenary celebrations last Saturday.

The former Bradford City junior was there to officially open the club’s new pitch at the Recreation Ground.

And despite the bad weather, over 300 people braved the elements to see the Premier League star cut the ribbon.

Cleverley spent more than two hours at the ground, signing autographs, shirts, footballs and posing for photographs. He was stunned by the number and enthusiasm of the fans.

Those who attended also got the chance to meet Cleverley’s girlfriend Georgina Dorsett, of television’s The Only Way Is Essex fame.

The opening of the club’s new £35,000 pitch refurbishment was the first of the club’s centenary year events.

It was brought forward because Cleverley has been called up for training with the GB Olympic squad.

The next date in the calendar will be the first match on the centenary pitch, which will see the first team take on illustrious local rivals Silsden from the North West Counties League on Saturday, July 14.

This will be followed by pre-season friendlies at home against Lancashire Amateur Cup holders Langho FC and Craven League champions Skipton LMS before the team commence their West Yorkshire League Premier Division fixtures on their new pitch.

Paul Brearey has returned to manage Oxenhope as they return to the village after a four-year exile, which saw them playing their home games at Marley.

Pre season training is on Tuesday evenings (6.45pm) at the Rec-reation Ground, with new players welcome.