Junior Footballers’ New ITS Strip has Opposition On The Run

Sponsorship by Industrial Technology Systems Ltd has Thornaby & Ingleby Barwick (TIBS) Under 9s junior football team running out with a renewed sense of purpose and determination this season.

The 11 eight-year-olds are no longer reduced to wearing hand-me-downs, getting soaked to the skin during training and putting up with old equipment thanks to an ITS makeover that has made them the envy of the Teesside Junior Football Association.

The TIBS are now resplendent in match strip of blue shirts with the ITS company name and logo, blue shorts and yellow socks, a training kit of blue tops and rain jackets and for the goalie, grey padded keeper top and padded trousers.  The sponsorship money also allowed the team to buy new footballs, cones, training goals, and slalom poles and hoops.

Team captain Joe Hazel, aged eight, said:  “It scares the opposition when we turn up at their ground looking so professional!”

Already the new image has had an impact on the team’s performance.  Over the summer they were runners-up in two tournaments, and this season they have won three matches, drawn three and only lost two, putting them fourth in TJFA’s Division 1, the county’s top division and Europe’s biggest junior league.

“It shows what an improvement the lads have made through their effort,” said TIBS’ Manager and Head Coach Leslie Curvis.  “Last season was tough because the other teams had played together for a year before their entry into the league, and we were brand new.  But we avoided relegation.

“The new equipment has improved training a lot and the lads love it with all the new equipment.  They all like their new gear so much they wear their rain jackets to school!” 

ITS’ Managing Director Malcolm Knott said:  “As I live near the TIBS’ ground, I often saw the lads playing on a weekend and thought it was a shame they didn’t have proper equipment and kits, so when the opportunity presented itself to help out by sponsoring the team and giving them the money to buy kits etc., I thought it was an excellent idea; a chance to give them a sense of teamwork and team spirit.  So I’m very happy that we’ve been able to do that. 

“The team’s response to the new kits is very pleasing.  I’m delighted that they take so much pride in wearing them and I hope the sense of pride it gives them, brings them together.  Their results seem to be improving, so maybe we’ve made a difference.”

The team, comprising young players from Ingleby Barwick but also team members from Hartlepool, trains every Thursday and Saturday and plays away every Sunday, travelling as far as Redcar and Thirsk.  Leslie has been with the team since August 07 and seen a real turnaround in their enthusiasm and team spirit. 

“We want to say a massive thank you to ITS for everything.  Now we will have to do it on the pitch for you all!”