Lakeside FC have secured a sponsorship deal with North-East printing firm Hillprint Ltd.

The Newton Aycliffe club, who play in the Bowman Anderson Accountants Spennymoor Sunday League, put pen-to-paper on the one-year shirt sponsor deal, with the option of extending it to two years next summer.

Lakeside took the unusual step of offering Aycliffe-based firm Hillprint an option next year to extend the deal.

"We are thrilled to have clinched this significant deal with Hillprint," said the club's Corporate Fundraiser Steve Woodward. "We have been lucky enough to have had three sponsors in a row, but with no disrespect to our previous shirt sponsors, this deal is a major step forward for us.

"Should Hillprint be happy with our relationship this time next year, they will take us up on our offer to extend the deal, which will guarantee us much-needed funds next summer."

Hillprint print the matchday programme for Middlesbrough Football Club as well as boasting major contracts with famous performers and TV productions like A League of Gentlemen.

Managing Director Richard Mortimer said: "We are delighted to support the local community through our sponsorship of Lakeside Football Club. We have been following their progress closely over the years (as Huntsman) and we know they're one of the leading clubs in Newton Aycliffe. We hope that this deal will bring them more luck on the football field, and we wish them all the very best of luck for the 2002-2003 season."

The new shirt deal comes just weeks after Lakeside bar manager Richard Parker gifted the club a brand new strip - a gesture which, in-turn, gave Lakeside the opportunity to obtain a new shirt sponsor.

It means Lakeside - established only a month ago when the club moved from the Huntsman - have a good base to move on and build for the forthcoming season.

"It's all going extremely well," said the club's Director of Football Stuart Hodgson. "Richard's support has allowed us to obtain a new sponsor, which obviously gives us the financial start we needed when we moved. I am delighted that we have managed to secure this deal with Hillprint. Now we can move on and hopefully build on that to create a solid football club both on and off the football field."

Meanwhile, Lakeside's on-field preparation for the season continues to flourish, with pre-season training progressing nicely. The season begins on (August 18), when Lakeside take on Newton Aycliffe Sports Club.