FOOTBALL bosses have blown the whistle on a new sponsorship logo sported by a women's football team.

Chester-le-Street Ladies Football Club had hoped to raise its profile with new tracksuits, featuring the suggestive title No bollX - words taken from the title of a new book.

But they have raised a few eyebrows with Durham County Football Association which has said the players cannot wear the tracksuits until they have got the necessary permission.

Unrepentant, the women footballers are now digging their heels in.

Coach Pauline Godward said: "The girls love it. One of the grandmothers did ask if it wasn't a little rude. But it isn't because it is spelt a bit differently. It is a normal phrase used every day by young people.

"We will continue to wear them, no matter what."

Her husband and team founder Bill Godward had to turn to his native Midlands for funding after an appeal to the region's businesses failed to come up with a sponsor.

He turned to author Keith Brown, from his home town of Nottingham, who has written a book called True Masculinity: No BollX.

Mr Godward said: "He has supplied 20 tracksuits for the team with his logo. He says if his books sell well he will make sure we will reap the benefits and will have no financial problems."

Mr Brown said the FA did have jurisdiction over what was worn on the field, but not what was worn to and from matches.

But County Durham FA said Mr Brown was wrong. FA secretary John Topping said: "They must have prior permission to advertise anything with a logo or trademark of any nature.

"Clothing for the match, according to the regulations, includes shirts, shorts, caps, tracksuits and waterproofs - and any other garments worn by the team. I think this is something we do need to investigate. I will write to the club and spell out the FA rules.

"I will instruct the club they are not to wear the logo until they get permission. It is obvious what is referred to in the logo. I don't know whether parents would want their girls to be playing in a tracksuit of that sort."