STAVELEY United Football Club has a new team sponsor.

The Watermill Inn at Ings has offered the club a new kit and will accommodate away teams after matches in the second division of the Westmorland Football League.

New manager Carl Batty said: "Over the past five years the club has seen the number of players dwindle down to the stage where it has had to drop down to one team and with that come the financial loss as well.

"With the closure of the Duke of William in Staveley, who used to back the club with kit sponsorships, food and fundraising events, we have found it hard to accommodate away teams after the match and the other two public houses in the village weren't interested in taking over the sponsorship deal."

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But now Mr Batty, and assistant manager Kaine Taylor, are looking forward to a successful partnership with the pub, whose owner and manager is Brian Coulthwaite

"We are hoping it is something the club can build on and also have a very successful relationship with them," added Mr Batty.

"We are also looking for a couple of new sponsorships to help with the running of the club and are happy to listen to any one who is willing to help us.

"Since the pre-season started we have seen number jump back up again to around the 30 mark with the majority of them being young players from the village