The club’s very own former England full-back was among the guests at the opening ceremony before the first team hosted West Bridgford in the NLD Shield.

It was all part of a rugby festival to open the new facilities and the 2017-18 campaign.

Besides the first team, the club’s second team also played West Bridgford while the colts took on Syston before the opening ceremony.

After Dusty performed the official duties, mini and youth groups staged training games to highlight the depth of rugby at the club ranging from minis to seniors and including an expanding girls section.

The club is set to be a stage for about 500 players of all ages this season.

Dusty, a member of England's Grand Slam team in 1980, was once a young player at Newark when he started his senior career when a sixth former at the Magnus School.

From there he progressed to play for Nottingham, Leicester, England, Barbarians and the Lions.

The new facilities are part of a huge building project by club members aiming to re-develop the Kelham Road clubhouse in time for the centenary in 2019.