Halesowen pupils inspired by ex-Manchester United player Lee Sharpe
Former Premier League footballer Lee Sharpe returned to his home town to cut the ribbon on a new school library.
The ex-Manchester United midfielder gave an inspiring speech to pupils at Huntingtree Primary School in Halesowen and said he was delighted to be back home.
Lee marked the opening by cutting the ribbon before speaking to pupils at an assembly.
The 44-year-old said: "It is nice to back in the Midlands.
"My sister, who works at the school, said the students had done a lesson where they discussed ideas of what they want to be when they grow up and how they would get there.
"I spoke to the kids about perseverance, and my experience of getting let go by clubs and practising football by myself in my garden.
"Before I did the speech my sister said the paper was pretty blank and no one had a lot to say. But after that all the kids went in and had plenty to write about with a lot of of ideas – they were pretty inspired which is nice to know."
Lee, who also played for England eight times, grew up in Halesowen and enjoyed a successful career playing for the Red Devils under Sir Alex Ferguson, winning nine medals in total including the Premier League title three times and the FA Cup twice.
Deputy headteacher Emma Grice described the opening as a 'great afternoon'.
She said: "He is a great local role model."
