IT was nearly a tale of dashed hopes and crushing defeat.

But a woman's football team who had their sponsorship deal disallowed have found their saviour - in the form of a hypnotist.

Chester-le-Street Ladies' Football Club thought their financial worries were over when author Keith Brown offered to provide £1,300 sponsorship.

But the County Durham team found itself at square one when it was ordered to ditch its controversial "No bollX" logo, taken from the title of Mr Brown's book.

The logo, printed on the back of the club's 20 tracksuits, was ruled inappropriate by the FA two months ago.

The club planned an appeal but decided against it because of the high cost.

Instead Bill Godward, who coaches the team with his wife, Pauline, came up with the idea of selling his incredible collection of signed memorabilia.

The collection is his life's work, which has taken him nearly 50 years to build up, and he is selling a third of it in a new shop, Signed Collectables, in Newcastle.

The items, ranging from signed football boots to photographs autographed by Elvis and Bond actors is worth an estimated £90,000.

But the team's luck really took a turn for the better when hypnotist John Grierson came forward and offered to sponsor the players.

Mr Godward, 66, said: "He came in and purchased a few things and saw all the paper cuttings about the team and he said he had been following the story and he would step in and be the sponsor."

Before matches, Mr Grierson is going to use his expertise in mind over matter and give the players motivational talks.

With the backing of a new sponsor and proceeds from the shop being put into the team, the side now hope to become the first semi-professional women's team in the North-East.

Mr Godward said: "My collection has been a labour of love for many, many years. It cost me my first marriage. But I am selling it for the benefit of our club.

"Pauline and I have already had the pleasure of coaching five girls from the club who have gone on to represent England at different levels, so who knows what we can do now."