THE Kent Messenger has become main sponsor of the Maidstone area’s biggest local football league, the Maidstone and Mid Kent Sunday Football League.

The league will now become the KM Maidstone and Mid Kent Sunday Football League. Simon Haydon, West Kent head of sport for the Kent Messenger, said: “We’re delighted to be helping local football.

“The KM aims to be an active participant in sport and to encourage people to get their kit on and play football. This is an exciting step for us."

The KM Maidstone and Mid Kent Sunday League runs five divisions, with 55 teams, and over 1,000 registered players.

League chairman John Perkins said: “The Maidstone & Mid Kent Sunday Football League is absolutely delighted that the Kent Messenger will become the new main sponsor of our league.

“The KM has always supported local sport, particularly men’s football, and this agreement can only improve and raise the profile of a flourishing league. We all hope that this will encourage more players to come and join us in the local parks on a Sunday morning.”