Firm Support

Budding David Beckhams at Whittlesey Junior Football Club have been helped by the support of a local business. Hanson Building Products Whittlesey factories have sponsored the club s new kit and leased them a playing ground. Whittlesey Junior Football Cl

Budding David Beckhams at Whittlesey Junior Football Club have been helped by the support of a local business.

Hanson Building Products' Whittlesey factories have sponsored the club's new kit and leased them a playing ground.

Whittlesey Junior Football Club has 186 members, boys and girls, playing in 13 teams - from the under-6s to the under-17s.

Club chairman Steve Fidler said: "In the past, each of our team managers approached local companies for sponsorship on an individual basis. A few of these managers just happened to work at the local plant, and eventually this led to Hanson's interest in our club.

"As the town of Whittlesey grows, so does the interest in junior football and the demand for more pitches. To take the pressure off the local council, we decided we wanted to operate more as a club than a group of separate teams. Hanson's generous support is helping us to do just that."

The ground is agricultural land. The football club needs to raise a total of £115,000 to convert the 11-acre site, which has been granted planning permission for six adult-size football pitches.

The club has raised £25,000, and has applied to the Football Foundation for a grant which could provide 60 per cent of the amount needed.