A GROUP of young footballers have hit the back of the net after landing a sponsorship deal with a local house builder.

Richmond Town under-nines, who play in division three of the Teesside Junior Football Alliance (TJFA), are sporting new tracksuits and jackets following a donation of £500 from Mulberry Homes Yorkshire.

Coach Jon Rutherford said: “Like all junior football teams we need to do our own fundraising to pay for equipment so this is a generous and much appreciated gesture.

“This is the first time the players have had tracksuits and jackets and they all look very smart - it gives a better image when they arrive for games all wearing the same outfit; just like their favourite players in the Premier League.”

David Meacham, sales and marketing director for Mulberry Homes Yorkshire, said: “We are about to start work on our first development in Richmond, so as part of our goal to build long-term links in the communities where we have homes, we were looking for a local organisation to sponsor.

“Richmond Town is the perfect fit because it is a family club with a fantastic community ethos."

Mulberry Homes Yorkshire is building 20 luxury two, three, four and five-bedroom homes on Reeth Road, Richmond, known as The Orchard, which overlooks the historic Temple Grounds.