Herrington Girls Under-13s from the Sunderland area have been proudly supported by local housebuilder Bellway.
Herrington FC Youth Girls are taking to the field in a brand-new home kit for the 2026-27 campaign thanks to sponsorship from Bellway.
Bellway’s £400 donation has gone towards the cost of providing new strips for the 14 members of the team, which competes in nine-a-side matches in the Russell Foster Tyne & Wear Youth League U13 Girls Premier Division. The new green home shirt features the Bellway logo on the front as well as the club’s pit emblem which pays homage to the area’s mining heritage.
The players will also be sporting the new kit during a trip to Italy next Easter, when they will take part in the Soccer Cup in Lake Garda, competing against other girls’ teams from across Europe
Ross Gardner, coach of Herrington FC Youth Under 13s Girls, said: “The donation from Bellway is greatly appreciated. It’s meant we have only had to put a couple of hundred pounds from our own pot towards the new kit which helps to keep the running costs of the club down. Fundraising and sponsorship are vital to grassroots football clubs. It’s what keeps us alive.”
Former professional footballer Ross, who played in the Football League for Nottingham Forest and Port Vale during his career, started the girls’ team at Herrington FC Youth in 2022 after his daughter showed an interest in playing the sport off the back of the success of the England Women’s team in the home European Championships that summer.
The team began with just eight players but now has 29 girls on its books and formed a second team last season.
Ross said: “It was our first year in the Premier League last season so we will be looking to push towards the top half of the table and avoid relegation again. That would be success for us. We don’t look to poach players. Our focus is very much on developing the players that we have got. This year we have also added a second training session during the week to give the girls a bit more exposure to sports science.
“Being part of the club helps the girls build relationships and prepares them for the next stage in their life. We have girls from a wide range of backgrounds and the friendship they have as a team is amazing.
Emma Chesterton, Sales Director at Bellway North East, said: “It’s been wonderful to see the growing popularity of girls’ football in recent years, with the success of the Lionesses driving increased female participation in the sport.
“As a company which is committed to improving the gender balance across its workforce, we are proud to be supporting a club which is providing increased opportunities for girls from all walks of life to take part in competitive sport, make new friends and develop valuable life skills.”
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