A FOOTBALL team is trying to turn around its fortunes and is calling on its village for more support as it tries to get more people through the turnstiles for matches.

Brandon United, which has had a makeover ahead of the season, is kicking off its campaign in the Northern League Division Two on Saturday.

The club has finished in the bottom half of the league for the last ten years but is hoping to turn its luck around and is getting more younger players involved with five teams between under sixes and under 16s and a development squad.

Dean Johnson, from the club, said: “Getting local people to come and watch us over the last few years has been an ongoing concern.

“It doesn’t help that we have been starved of success for quite a few years as well. It’s a catch-22 situation. People come through the gate, pay their money and we have money to spend on players that can bring success. Or the club has success and it brings people through the gate. At the moment we have neither.”

The club has had a substantial makeover ahead of the start of the season with the help of businessman George Rae and as well as a new strip, has had an extension, renovated its changing rooms and converted a store room into meeting facility.

It also now has separate changing rooms for female officials - making it one of the few grounds in the Northern League to offer the facility.

Mr Johnson added: “Over the last few years we’ve hardly set the league alight and we’ve finished in the bottom half of the league for the last ten years or so.

“However, we are hopeful of a much better season for 2017/18 and whilst we don’t think we’ll be pushing for promotion just yet, it is a goal of the club for the not too distant future.”

The first match of the season is against Ryton and Crawcrook Albion at their home ground at Brandon Welfare Ground. Kick off is 3pm and admission is £5 for adults, £3 for concessions and accompanied children under 13 go free.