A RETIRED football player has come back to college to present awards and celebrate pupils success.

Melissa Fletcher who previously played for Reading FC and the Welsh national football team was a guest of honour at Garth Hill College's awards evening.

The celebration of success took place on Thursday, November 22 and highlighted the academic, creative and sporting achievements made by pupils.

The former student at the college presented more than 100 awards to pupils along with long service staff awards and honours to parents, carers, governors, teachers and support staff contributors.

More than 300 people attended, where they got to see their sons and daughters pick up an award and listen to musical interludes and a photographic presentation highlighting the College's year.

Principal Keith Grainger said: "It was wonderful to celebrate a year that finished on a high as pupils secured some of the best GCSE results in the College's history.

"Congratulations to everyone concerned. We are proud of everyone who received an award or was recognised for their achievement. We were especially delighted that former pupil Melissa Fletcher was able to be with us."

Melissa was a student at the College between 2003-2010 and joined the Reading FC women's senior team aged 16.

In 2018, she was forced to retire from professional football aged 26 following two unsuccessful ankle operations.

At the awards evening, she held a question and answers session about her career and how she balanced her studies whilst wanting to become a sporting star to inspire the next generation.

The principal added: "I want to thank parents, carers, families, and the staff, governors and friends of Garth Hill for the important role they play in supporting our pupils in their journey to excellence."