A REFORMED American football club is taking to the streets to drum up support and find potential players.

The Chester-le-Street-based North East Presidents plan to compete in the British American Football Association Community League from April to September.

The club played for three seasons before disbanding in 1996 but started reforming last year with a mix of old players and new blood.

On Saturday (feb5) members of the club will be out in Durham City’s Market Place on the look-out for other new recruits, the day before the NFL Superbowl final between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers, which could attract a worldwide TV audience of 400 million.

Team manager Jeff Rutter said: "Obviously Superbowl weekend is a high profile time for the sport of American Football, even in this country.

"So our aim is to raise awareness of there being a local team in the area that will teach people how to play the game, and also that there is a club people can support as well"

The club is progressing rapidly since reforming in November and boasts more than 40 players and has signed three coaches .

"Ideally we are looking for a senior squad of around 70 players, which sounds a lot but because of the nature of the game this is the average for a team in the States,’’ said Mr Rutter.

The club, which is based at the Riverside Park, has designed a new strip and is looking for sponsorship Anyone interested in sponsoring or joining the club can find out more through its website www.northeastpresidents.com