CHARLTON have underlined their commitment to football in the county by signing a two-year sponsorship deal with the Kent Youth League.

The league has 2,500 registered players between the ages of 13 and 18 playing in 10 divisions. Until Charlton’s intervention they were facing up to a season without a sponsor in their 25th year after a previous agreement expired.

When the new season kicks off at the weekend, the competition will be known as the Valley Express Kent Youth League after the cut-price coach service which takes Kent-based fans to Charlton home games.

The sponsorship deal will be formally signed at The Valley before the match against Chelsea on Saturday, September 17.

Kent Youth League chief executive Colin Boswell said: "The league is absolutely delighted to be associated with a Premier League club, especially as Charlton is Kent’s only Premiership club.

"We believe the deal is unique as no other Premier League club has become involved in grass roots football.

"Their commitment to the Kent Youth League is a great boost for football throughout the county, but especially for our competition."

Peter Varney, Charlton’s chief executive, added: "When we heard that the Kent Youth League were seeking a new sponsor, we were delighted to step in and put something back into grass-roots football.

"The sponsorship will help us to spread the word about our Valley Express service and hopefully introduce lots of youngsters and their parents throughout Kent to Premiership football at The Valley."

Earlier in the year, Charlton and Kent County Council signed a deal whereby KCC would tap into the club’s renowned community schemes.