FOOTBALL legend Ian Wright will be cheering on this team of hardened young criminals at Portland tomorrow.

The former England striker, who is attempting to turn around the lives of young inmates for a new TV show, will be on the touch line at Portland’s Big Grove Summer Festival.

The eagerly-awaited six-a-side tournament has been added to the family event, which boasts 12 hours of live music and a full programme of entertainment.

Wright, who hosts television’s revamped Gladiators and has a spot on TalkSport radio, has been filming a show called ‘Banged to Wrights’ at Portland’s Young Offender Institution.

The former Arsenal star has been holding trials for a prison football team, with the aim of picking a side to eventually play in front of Premier League scouts.

Jane Hurdiss, one of the Grove festival organisers, explained: “There has been a football academy happening inside the YOI, with Ian Wright training the prisoners as part of a scheme to get these real roughy-toughies back into society through football.

“Ian Wright will be coming to support his team from the YOI, and it will be filmed for the Sky TV show.

“We have a lot of activities on the day and six teams will be playing in the football tournament, but it is mainly a family music event.

“Although, I think its fair to say we’re expecting a few more people because they’ve found out Ian Wright is coming along. It should be good.”

A Sky TV spokesman said the six part documentary will focus on prisoner rehabilitation and ‘address re offending issues through sport’. It will be aired this autumn.

Thousands of people are expected to attend this years Big Grove festival, which, with 20 confirmed bands, is fast becoming one of the largest events on the island.

It started off as a fundraiser for the Grove Infants School, but since then has grown into a major event for local charities.

The musical line-up includes local bands Robbie MacIntosh and Marco Rossi, Jess Upton and Steve Wilson, Hallelujah Bay and Freak Circus.

Spinning and weaving demonstrations, free African drum workshops, a beer tent, hot food stalls, and a host of other attractions will be available.

Mrs Hurdiss, said: “The weather doesn’t look great, but never mind, we’ve got lots going off under cover so we’re going for it.”

The festival will be opened by MP Jim Knight, followed by a demonstration by the 2nd Edition Majorettes.

Big Grove Summer Festival is in the YOI Bowl behind St Peter’s Church, Portland, and runs from noon until midnight on Saturday, July 11.

For more details on the festival event visit its website at myspace.com/groveportland.