A FOOTBALL team is backing a campaign that bids to confront, reduce and raise awareness of domestic abuse in Cumbria.

Shap Football Club has showed their support for Cumbria Police's United Against Abuse appeal by sporting bright red lines on their cheeks during their friendly win against Lunesdale.

The campaign, which was launched on August 6 by the police, Carlisle United and the Cumberland Football Association, aims to reduce domestic abuse offending, encourage greater reporting of the issue and increase understanding of it.

Shap FC manager Pete Fraser said he was proud of his players to support such a worthwhile cause.

Detective Inspector James Yallop admitted that using the power of football and sport it would help to send out a "strong message" that domestic abuse had to stop.

"Domestic abuse effects people for the rest of their lives and people shouldn’t have to live like that," he said.

“People who abuse their partner or a family member can be of any gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity or age. Their actions can affect the lives of entire families.

“It can be really difficult for people to report domestic abuse to the police so it is important they know what support is available."

Such support includes charities such as Turning the Spotlight which are able to offer support to anyone who may be abusing their partner or displaying unhealthy behaviour within their relationship.

Shap FC's captain, Sam Wood, aged 31, said that everyone in the team agreed to support the campaign.

"As a club we have players ranging in age from 15 up to 35 and everyone wanted to be involved and show their stance against domestic abuse," he said.

The Cumberland FA has asked teams across the county to take part.

Teams who play with the red stripe and tweet a picture of players doing so with the hashtag #UnitedAgainstAbuse will enter a competition to win a full football kit for their team.