Junior footballers take to the field with funeral firm

A newly formed junior football team has agreed a sponsorship deal with a Nottinghamshire funeral firm.

Members of Eastwood Community FC’s new Under-12s boys team have all been issued with brand new shirts, shorts and socks after Gillotts Funeral Directors stepped forward to fund their strip.

In return, the company’s logo has been emblazoned across the front of the team’s home shirts, which are red in keeping with Eastwood CFC’s colours.

The team was only formed a couple of months ago after joint managers Sandra and Darren Bailey’s son Craig asked them to set up a new team for him and his friends.

Sandra and Darren already run the club’s Under-9s team but agreed to take on the team while Craig, who used to play for Priory Celtic, recruited other players from school.

They have played a number of friendly games at Under-11 level but will make their competitive debut in the Young Elizabethan League as an Under-12s team in August, complete with their new red strip.

Sandra, who has been running teams alongside Darren for three years, said: “It can be very difficult to get sponsorship at our level so we are very grateful for Gillotts for agreeing to sponsor us and pay for the new kit.

“We are really looking forward to the new season. We are a new team and some of the lads are very naturally talented, so although it will take a while to really get going, the team is full of potential.”

Joanne Hutsby, a partner in Gillotts Funeral Directors, said: “Eastwood Community FC is a very active club in the community so we were very pleased to be able to do our bit to help get the new team off the ground properly.

“We look forward to seeing them enjoying themselves playing in the new strip, win, lose or draw.”