RYAN SHAWCROSS went back to school before reporting for pre-season training . . . when he opened new playground equipment that should keep pupils in 'trim'.
Stoke City's highly-rated defender made a guest appearance at the St Anne's Catholic Primary School in Nantwich to launch the £8,000 Trim Trail play facilities.
Shawcross delighted the 190 school children by cutting a ribbon to officially open the playground and then had a five-minute kick about with some of them.
Clare Peberdy, Chairman of the Friends of St Anne's Parent/Teacher Association at the school, said that the pupils were very excited because it was the first time that they have had some outdoor play equipment to make break times more enjoyable.
The Friends of St. Anne's raised £8,000 through a series of school events, including discos and fayres, to fund the project to upgrade the playground.
"The equipment looks good fun so hopefully the children will get a lot of use out of it," said Shawcross. "It's nice to support community events where you live."
