A FOOTBALL team which won its first ever league this year is ready to train through the cold season after being given new winter jackets.

Chester-le-Street Amazons Football Club has more than 130 members aged from four upwards.

The club was established in 2005 with a single team of nine players aged between eight and ten years old, and despite not scoring a goal for the first three seasons is now attracting more girls than ever before.

They have been given £2,000 by Chester-le-Street councillors Simon Henig, Linda Marshall and Tracie Smith to buy the new jackets.

Club chairwoman Julie Scurfield said: “Having the proper kit allows us to keep training throughout the season and ensures we have a strong and professional-looking club identity when we play our matches across the region.

“As a volunteer-led club we are always extremely grateful for any funding received and we want to thank Cllrs Henig, Marshall and Smith for their financial investment.”

She added: ““Amazons has grown massively over the last 12 years, mirroring the huge rise in popularity of girls and women’s football on a national level.”