THE Medway Today Sunday Football League look set to open their doors to a prison team next season. It has been agreed at a management committee meeting to consider an application from Rochester's Young Offenders Institute who are former members of the Rochester and District Saturday League.

If accepted the team would start in the Sunday's League's lowest division and would play all their games at home. Andy Mauldon, physical education officer at the Institute, said: "Unfortunately last year, because of the type of prisoner being held at Rochester, and the fact that restrictions were placed on the majority of prisoners using the sportsfield, it was decided by the then governor to withdraw from the Rochester and District League.

"A new governor has now joined the establishment and a different category of young offender is being brought into Rochester. The sports field will be upgraded to allow all prisoners access to the field, thereby solving previous problems."

He added: "All players would be carefully selected. They are bound by prison rules to behave and show respect to any person visiting the prison."

Colin Boswell, secretary of the Medway Today Sunday League, welcomed the application.

He said: "In view of the situation early in the season when the league was accused of discrimination against a certain organisation, we are pleased to invite the Institute for an interview with the intention of including them next season. We are only too pleased to try and play a part in the rehabilitation of young footballers who perhaps have not had the best starts in life. With their excellent facilities, we believe the Institute will be an asset to the competition."