A FLEDGLING female football team is ready to kick-off in competitive action for the first time, barring one essential item.

Bowburn Girls' team has been in training, eagerly preparing to enter Durham County FA's mini-leagues, which resume next month.

But only weeks before the kick-off the players are still without any kit.

The club already has full sets of strips for its under-eights and nines teams, which are allowed to be mixed under FA rules.

Recognised as a "focus club" by Durham Sport - an agency that backs sport development in the area - the club has forged ahead to establish its first all-girls' team.

Girls keen on football in the area, but unconnected with any side, have been channelled in Bowburn's direction.

A squad of 12 players, drawn from Bowburn and further afield, has now been practising regularly for three months, but are still minus a set of shirts, shorts and socks.

Club secretary and under-eights coach Alan Wilson hopes a company might step in at the 11th hour to help pay for a set of strips, with the reward of a name sponsor on the shirts.

"It's an excellent opportunity for exposure for a business and a chance to do some good for the community.

"We start the seven-a-side leagues in March and so its looming large."

The club has only been running for two years, but within nine months it won FA Charter-status for the high standards.

It has always included girls in its under-11 teams, but now hopes its first fully fledged all-female team will respond to the challenge.

Mr Wilson is keen to hear from anyone with an offer of playing kit. He can be contacted on 0191-377 9866.