CFC Shalford Football Club are sporting new kits thanks to sponsorship from Redrow.

The housebuilder stepped forward with a £1,600 donation helping to kit out the Braintree and North Essex Sunday League team and contributing towards the cost of a new website.

Club chairman Ian Butcher, who a customer services technician for Redrow Homes (Eastern), said: “Sponsorship makes a massive difference to the club as it allows more funds to be spent on other things like maintaining the pitch, which has previously been named Essex Playing Fields Association’s best kept pitch.

"This season we have a new manager - Adam Morris - who’s brought a squad of players with him and we’re hoping for a successful season in the Braintree and North Essex Sunday League premier division.”

The club plays its home matches at Shalford Village Hall and shares the cost of maintaining the pitch with the village hall.

Redrow has plans to build new homes off Rayne Road, Braintree, just a few miles away from the club’s homeground.

Kerry McCoubrey, sales director for Redrow Homes (Eastern), added: “Sports clubs like CFC Shalford help create a sense of community, where people want to live.

"We’re keen to support community groups in the areas where we operate and so were happy to team up with the club, having previously sponsored them in 2010 when we were building at the Maltings in Braintree.

"We wish the team every success for the 2017/18 season.”