A youth league has received a boost ahead of the new season after securing a sponsorship deal with the North-East Ford Dealers group

They will be sponsoring the Russell Foster Tyne and Wear U-15s Youth League this coming season which has attracted teams from around the region.

Teams register to the youth leagues on an annual basis and last year the U-15s league had three divisions consisting of 42 teams with 750 players.

Applications to join the league for the forthcoming season, which begins in September, have been received from teams from as far apart as Newcastle, Hartlepool, South Shields, Stockton, Whickham, Bishop Auckland, Spennymoor and Consett.

The Russell Foster Tyne and Wear Youth League is a registered charity which caters for football teams around the region for children in the U-11 to U-18 age groups inclusive

The charity formed in 1975 and just two years later businessman Russell Foster adopted it and gave free office space, and more recently 80 acres of land. The charity is hoping to turn the land into indoor and outdoor pitches very soon.

Nas Khan, Chairman of North-East Ford Dealers and Sales Director of Jennings Ford is looking forward to the start of the new North east Ford Dealers league season and has emphasised their need to bond with the community

He said "North-East Ford Dealers try to be involved with their local communities as much as possible and to sponsor this league covers many of what we see as our responsibilities we are helping children do what they enjoy and giving parents the joy of seeing their children having a good time and being part of a team and in a league competition."

Mick Clark, secretary of the Russell Foster Tyne and Wear Youth League, was delighted with the support saying: "The leagues are a huge success with local football teams and now it seems that the businesses of the region are recognising the hard work we put in and the pleasure that the community get out of it.

"We are very happy to be associated with North East Ford and can't wait for the new season to start."

Ann Cresswell, a Marketing Executive from Patterson Ford, met some of the boys who play in league and was delighted with the decision to support them

"This is something that U-15s benefit from across the whole region that North East Ford Dealers trade in" she said.

"To help so many people have something firm in their lives is great!"