Olympic gold medallist Jamie Staff has decided to sponsor Smeeth and Brabourne Football Club’s under-nines team.

Track cyclist Mr Staff, 36, who lives in Smeeth, turned out to watch the budding footballers at Smeeth School on Saturday as they played their first match in the new kit he has paid for.

He said: "When I was young I remember how difficult it is to get sponsorship to pay for anything and how expensive buying kit can be for parents.

"By doing this the kids get some kit, it saves them having to pay for it themselves and hopefully it will last for a few years."

Mr Staff, who next to the school pitch where they play, was also pleased to see his team get an impressive victory on the day.

He said: "The club ethos is for them to have fun and that it’s the taking part and not winning that counts. However they actually won 6-1 on the day, they’ve got a great striker."

For more information about the club go to www.sabfc.net