Against the background of Euro 2008 and £multi-million transfer deals, two local youth & junior teams from Dudley are achieving great things, with a little help on a more down to earth scale from its main kit sponsor, Allied Maxcut (AMEC).
The kits for both the under 13 girls and the under 9 East boys teams at Dudley Sports football club are sponsored by AMEC and have already set about emulating the club's all conquering senior team which won the West Midlands Premier League title last season.
During last season, the girls' team made it to three cup finals only to finish runner up in each trophy, but rounded off the season as winners of the Merit Shield competition, which they won 2-1 against one of the other 600 teams playing in the Stourbridge and District Youth League. Even though it was the first season for the under 9 boys team, they rallied after a poor start to the season and managed a good finish in the Division 3 table.
The club's youth team manager, Fred Walters said: "AMEC's sponsorship of these two youth teams is very important to us and we're delighted that the company has renewed the deal for the forthcoming season, especially as they are a local business."
AMEC's Managing Director, Rod Crawford, added: "It's absolutely fantastic what these teams have achieved over the past season and we're delighted to be involved with such a progressive club with great players and managerial staff. I guess, you could say, we're over the moon!"