Has council scored own goal with decision to sponsor pub team in Grimsby & Cleethorpes Sunday League?

Despite a battling performance, Nunsthorpe Tavern (in blue shirts)  went down 2-3 in yesterday's thriller against promotion-chasing  Jubilee Inn FC

A PUB team that plays in the Grimsby Sunday League is being sponsored by North East Lincolnshire Council.

The authority has confirmed that it has provided playing kit for members of Nunsthorpe Tavern FC which currently lie near the foot of Division 4.

Says NELC: "Along with our partners, we believe in helping local community groups to improve their wellbeing and the things that matter to them.

"By donating football kit to Nunsthorpe Tavern FC, we are helping a group of determined young men who are representing the Nunsthorpe every week."

Club manager Jamie Torrington has expressed delight at the sponsorship.

                                           

James Torrington - 'the players love their new kit'

"The players love their new kit," he says. "They are proud to be doing it for the Nunsthorpe Tavern. 

"Thank you for giving us the opportunity to get the local pub a football team back up and running."

Equally upbeat is NELC's portfolio holder for safer and stronger communities, Cllr Ron Shepherd.

Says he: "It’s great to see how we are helping local groups and teams.

"This kit donation may seem like a small gesture, but to these clubs it gives them an identity for the season ahead and allows them to represent Nunsthorpe Tavern with pride.

"This is just the start of our plans to help build on and improve South ward and I look forward to seeing what else the scheme can achieve."

The value of the kit has not been revealed.                            

Competitive - Tavern players were sharp in midfield

The Tavern's keeper was blameless for any of Jubilee's three goals and made many excellent saves 

Spot the Ball! Clue - it's up in the air 

Silky-skilled ball control - Tavern have some really talented players 

Fans - and possibly a couple of scouts - watch from the touchline

The Grimsby News says: Good luck to Nunsthorpe Tavern FC, but this sponsorship will raise more than a few eyebrows.  Is this the right way for NELC to spend public money, especially when it is in such short supply. And is it fair to favour one club over all the others in the same league, many of which will have had to pay for players' kit out of their own resources or fund-raising activities. It is good to see the Tavern squad being described as "determined young men". But, if they are that "determined", why did they not raise the money by their own efforts rather than depending on the largesse of the public purse?