YOUNG players at Stourport Swifts Football Club will pay tribute to the NHS every time they step on the pitch thanks to sponsorship towards their new kits.

Lee Denver, whose son plays for the under-16s team, came up with the idea of including a thank you message to lifesaving NHS staff in the new kit design, and a raffle was held to help raise the funds.

Coach Steve Bloomer said: "The lads have grown quite a bit this season so we needed a new kit. Lee came up with the idea to say thank you to the NHS and we all got behind it.

Kidderminster Shuttle: Stourport Swifts' new under-16s kitStourport Swifts' new under-16s kit

"The NHS have done a massive job since Covid so we all wanted to do something to say thank you.

"Lee put a lot of money towards the kits and we held a raffle and came up with a design we're really happy with."

The new kits feature a rainbow with the words "thank you" and the NHS logo, and will be worn by players as they head into their first match of the season against Welland Juniors this Saturday.

Steve added: "The lads are all chuffed to be back on the pitch - they couldn't wait to start playing again."