A YOUTH football team from an ex-mining community with a rich tradition in the sport is proudly sporting new colours.

Hetton Juniors Under-14 team has been giving opponents the blues since it was presented with new royal and white kit by Taylor Wimpey.

It supplied the 11-a-side team from Hetton-le-Hole with funding for a full set of strips, including a distinctive cerise goalkeepers’ outfit.

The company will be the 2013/14 season’s official sponsor for the club, which plays just a short distance from the house builder’s new Signet Grange development, in nearby Houghton-le-Spring.

Club chairman Keith Finch said such donations are vital to the running of the club.

“The funds we received from Taylor Wimpey enabled us to provide brand-new kits for the entire under-14s’ team which would have been extremely difficult without such help.

“Here at Hetton Juniors we provide excellent resources for a great number of local children.

“We not only work with them to build self-esteem, but to deliver important lessons in sportsmanship, team-work and self-discipline.

“The players absolutely love their new kits.

“It’s given them a boost going into the new season, so we’re very grateful.”

Sporting the new colours, the team has risen to second spot in the Russell Foster Youth League, Under-14 level second division, winning six of its last seven matches.

Joan Peart, sales and marketing director for Taylor Wimpey North-East, said: “We’re thrilled to be partnering Hetton Juniors FC.

“As a club with so many links to the local community, and with our Signet Grange development just a short distance from where the team plays, we were keen to help out and supply them with kits.”

The teenage prospects hope to follow in a famous line of Hettonians who have gone on to football stardom, headed by former Liverpool player and managerial great, the late Bob Paisley.