A NORTH East girls’ football team are sporting brand new kit following a generous donation from a local supermarket.

Blyth Town Girls Under-15 Lions were able to take on teams in a top tournament wearing the new gear thanks to staff at Tesco Kingston Park, in Newcastle.

The girls were pipped at the post at a youth soccer festival, but graced the pitch in a professional new kit, after the kind donation of more than £300.

Ranked second in the country after a fierce competition in the Tesco Cup last season – a home nations grassroots football competition organised in conjunction with the Football Association – Blyth Girls competed in the festival in Scotland against teams from Germany and the UK.

The team was narrowly beaten 1-0 by rivals Hibs Girls in the first game, the girls went on to beat Scottish team Deveronvale Girls 5-1, with a final 2-2 draw against Dunfermline Athletic Girls, securing the Northumberland team a final position as runners up.

Team coach John Williamson said: “While we narrowly missed out on taking the top place in our group, the team was delighted to go to the festival with new kits. We are all very grateful to staff at Tesco Kingston Park who donated money to the team. The girls are very professional and take the game extremely seriously – now they look the part too.

“We had a great time at the festival in Loch Lomond and are looking forward to the new season. The festival was great preparation for the games we have coming up.”

Staff at the Kingston Park store decided to help out after being impressed by the team’s dedication.

Customer services manager Pat Crooks said: “We are delighted to have helped Blyth Town Girls Uunder-15 Lions get new a new football kit. They are a top team and needed a kit that matched their professional attitude. We are always so impressed by the girls’ dedication to the club and are proud of their achievements.”

Doug Wilson, corporate affairs manager for Tesco, added: “Tesco stores are very much involved in their local communities. The Tesco Kingston Park staff are a great example of this having donated £300 to a local team, who are clearly passionate for the game and are a great example of a successful local club.

“Blyth Town Girls Under-15 Lions took part in the Tesco Cup, which is part of a wider commitment from Tesco to encourage young people to get involved in sport, in conjunction with the Football Association.”