A grant of £8,422 from the UK's largest sports charity has helped to set up a girls' football team in Bishop Auckland.
The cash, from the Football Foundation, will enable St Mary's Juniors FC to establish a new girls' section for under-10s and under-12s, called St Mary's Juniors Angels.
The side is open to girls in Wear Valley and will play in the Durham FA League on Saturday mornings.
Secretary Fred Anderson said: "We are an FA charter standard club, and to develop, one of the prerequisites is to have a girls' side, so we've got the girls up and running now.
"A lot of these girls were travelling through to Darlington to play but now they can play in Bishop Auckland."
The grant will be paid over the next three years and cash has also been given by local firm Stormking Windows.
Girls wishing to play can call Mr Anderson on (01388) 608885.
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