SCORES of youngsters were left disappointed when their World Cup hero Trevor Sinclair failed to show up for the launch of a new ball zone in Whitefield.

The former Mersey Drive Primary School pupil was invited as guest-of-honour to officially open the new facility in Stanley Road park on Wednesday afternoon (Aug 21).

But after his team West Ham lost 4-0 to Newcastle on Monday evening, Trevor and the rest of the players were "grounded" as a punishment.

Coun Joan Grimshaw said: "Unfortunately his agent called us late on Tuesday evening to say he wouldn't be coming. He said none of the team was allowed out of West Ham and all players' days off had been cancelled."

Coun Grimshaw and Coun Pam Walker, who had organised the launch day, said they had tried without success all Wednesday morning to get a replacement.

Coun Walker said: "We are very disappointed, but anyone who understands football will realise why this has happened."

An announcement was made by Coun Walker to the crowd, which had gathered and she added that the ball zone would be named after Trevor Sinclair in tribute to him.

The facility was built after three years of campaigning. Some 1,000 signatures were collected in protest at Bury Council's plans to sell the land, when there was a covenant on the site which designated it for public use.

Trevor Sinclair is to be invited back to the park as a guest at a five-a-side football tournament at some time in the future.