Rising to challenge ... a true giant of football

AT a towering 6ft 7in and with a goal celebration not quite like any other, he is one of English football's most recognisable characters.

But while enjoying a career that has seen him play in the finest stadiums across the globe and score 22 times for his country, Premiership star Peter Crouch yesterday found himself back at the game's grassroots – a frozen pitch in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.

The Tottenham striker was in the tiny Wensleydale village of Carperby, which has a population of 220, to play in a local derby between Carperby Rovers and Askrigg United, fierce rivals in the Wensleydale Creamery Football League, as part of an advert for confectionery giant Mars.

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With a muddy pitch, bitter north-easterly wind blowing and the breathtaking scenery of the Dales looming all around, it was a world away from the cosy life of a Premiership star.

And "Crouchy", as the gangly forward is known, admitted he couldn't help but be slightly overawed by the unfamiliar surroundings.

"I have never been to the Dales before but it is really beautiful", he said in a post-match interview with the Yorkshire Post.

"It is lovely to get to be up here and it is a very picturesque setting. It is completely different to what I am used to in London.

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"My Tottenham team-mate Michael Dawson grew up around here and actually played on this pitch, so he told me what to expect.

"But it is freezing.

"I enjoyed playing with the young lads and some of them were at a very good standard."

While Carperby Rovers, currently fifth in the table and without any silverware since they won an impressive double in 2003, usually attract no more than a handful of supporters, a record crowd of around 50 villagers turned out and cheered, jeered and heckled through the match.

The opposition defenders were under strict instructions not to tackle the star man but that did not stop him getting a bit of jostling at corners and enough attention to send a few shots flying far over the crossbar and bouncing off the dry stone walls surrounding the pitch.

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Despite Crouch's reputation, Askrigg United's pipe-smoking secretary in charge of the team yesterday, Tim Prudden, was slightly underwhelmed with his new centre forward.

"He trod on the ball, tried a scoop pass which went totally wrong and missed a couple of good chances", he said. "But he had a few touches where everybody could see his skill.

"I think I would sign him up, but mainly for his height.

"For the players it was great to have him here and to be on the same pitch is just brilliant."

The filming was part of a deal struck between Mars and the village to replace the old wooden club hut with a new sports pavilion which has cost around 200,000.

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Since 2004, residents had managed to raise about 40,000 to go towards the new building and then secured another 55,000 in grants.

But last September, the fundraising committee said it was told by Mars it would stump up more than 100,000 if the pavilion was built within a certain time-frame.

Villagers worked non-stop over Christmas and one of the coldest winters in living memory to get the job done in time.

"I never thought I would see anything like this in Carperby, this is the pinnacle of my career here", said Stephen Thompson, 37, who has played for Rovers since he was six.

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"When we were children there was absolutely nowhere to get changed you would have to do it at home or in the car before and after games.

"I remember the goalposts that we used to have were wooden. Then gradually the community saved up to get a little hut, then a bigger one and now this brilliant pavilion.

"I coach between 25 and 36 boys and girls from the area every Monday and this new facility is going to be here for years to come."

Mr Thompson added: "It is incredible when you think of the size of the village.

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"We didn't know what to expect when we heard Peter Crouch was coming but he has been an absolute gentleman and really good with everyone.

"I just wish we got crowds like this at the games every week."

The pavilion team, which consists of three members each from Carperby Playing Fields Association, Carperby Football Team and Carperby cum Thoresby parish council, has carried out the project in three phases.

The new facilities, which have been praised by Richmond MP and Foreign Secretary William Hague, will be used by villages around Carperby for a range of activities.

Star battled past setbacks

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DESPITE his unorthodox frame and a number of early setbacks in his career, Peter Crouch is now widely regarded as one of the best centre forwards in England.

The 29-year-old plays for Tottenham Hotspur, a club he was released by as a youngster because the coaches thought he would not make the grade.

He has also played for Liverpool, Aston Villa and Portsmouth and has notched up 442 club appearances throughout his colourful career.

The lanky striker has a remarkable scoring rate for England where he has netted 22 times in just 42 appearances.

Crouch is famed for celebrating his goals by doing his "robot dance".