A JUNIOR football team is celebrating after being given the spark they needed to carry on competing for the next two years.

Runcorn Linnets JFC’s under 14s Sunday Blue team were in danger of being forced to fold despite winning the league and cup double in the Chester and District JFL Premier Division last season.

With the players having outgrown their kit and with the coaches struggling to find a sponsor willing to fund a new one, it was looking doubtful that the team would be able to try to defend their trophies.

But Halliburton Electrical Ltd came to the rescue at the 11th hour and thanks to the Runcorn-based company’s donation the team can continue to compete against the top sides in Chester, Wirral and Runcorn.

The players wore their new kit in Linnets’ distinctive yellow and green hoops for the first time in a 1-0 win at home to Upton Juniors Pumas earlier this month.

Team manager Sean Gaskell said: “The team did fantastically well to win both of the trophies that were on offer last season in the Chester and District JFL Premier Division.

“But the kids had outgrown their kit and desperately needed a new one.

“Now that we play 11-a-side and the players are in adult sizes, a new kit doesn’t come cheap and we were really struggling to find a new sponsor.

“I can’t thank Halliburton Electrical Ltd enough for answering our SOS call and agreeing to sponsor the team for the next two years. Without the company’s support the boys wouldn’t have a kit to play the sport they love in.

“We will wear the Halliburton Electrical logo with pride.”

Company director Karen Halliburton said: “Halliburton Electrical Ltd has been based in Runcorn for more than 50 years, providing commercial and industrial electrical services to Halton, Cheshire and Merseyside schools, colleges and businesses.

“We feel that it is important to support local teams and are proud to have our company logo on the Runcorn Linnets junior football team’s new kit.”