Budding Shearers!

Young West End footballers are ready to kick off the new season in style after three local traders stepped in to provide top quality kit for their teams.

The three community-spirited traders - Hutchinson's Fruit & Vegetables, On Time Claims and Solomon's Dhaba restaurant - joined forced with New Deal to help launch the area's new Neighbourhood Football League.

'Young people can learn so much through sport - and the fantastic generosity of these businesses will make a huge difference to our work,' said Mark Oliver of league organisers the Hat-Trick project.

'The Neighbourhood Football League is all about encouraging West End youngsters to get active and healthy through football, and this will help us do just that.'

'The kids are over the moon with their new kits and they really appreciate the help we've had from the traders,' said Mark.

'One of our teams was even singing 'There's only one On Time Claims' in the minibus last week!'

The trendy new kits will be on display at matches in the West End all season.

Games will take place each week between teams from Arthur's Hill, Cruddas Park, Rye Hill and Elswick.

'It's the first time we've been involved in something like this,' said Mehboob Dad of personal injury specialists On Time Claims.

'We're local lads ourselves and we didn't have anything like Hat-Trick when we were kids, so we wanted to give something back.

'When the lads see us in the street they all jump about and cheer!'

Shaban Suleman of Arthur's Hill-based restaurant Solomon's Dhaba agrees: 'I think businesses should get involved with things for young people,' he said.

'I know a lot of kids in the teams and it's great to see them getting involved. I hope the league takes off in a big way and spreads to other areas too.'

Hat-Trick, which is also funded by the Football Association, is one of over twenty New Deal-backed projects working to improve people's health in Arthur's Hill, Cruddas Park, Rye Hill and Elswick.

Organisers are inviting new squads to register for the Neighbourhood Football League by calling Hat-Trick on 0191 273 9212.