Youth football team gains sponsorship with local construction firm

A Darlington-based under-nines football team has been newly kitted out after scoring a local sponsor thanks to Teesside Airport’s help. Middleton Rangers is a popular community football club which trains on pitches a stone’s throw from Teesside International and delivers activities for all ages and abilities, from children to adults.

The club, which has seen players go on to have trials or play within academies including Middlesbrough, Hartlepool, Darlington, Newcastle and Sunderland, recently approached the airport seeking backing for its under-nines boys’ team, the Middleton Rangers Hurricanes.

Airport staff gave them an assist by linking them up with the town’s Wharton Construction, one of the firms involved in the £3m terminal redevelopment, which was all too keen to get involved and invest in its local community.

This new dual-branding sponsorship now includes both Wharton Construction’s branding and that of Teesside Airport on the club’s new home kits, and both the club and the company are delighted with this new partnership which has also seen them buy new training jackets.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “As well as securing new routes that people have been crying out for, we’re putting our airport at the heart of the community like never before, whether that be by employing local firms, our partnerships, or simply by connecting groups with the assistance they need.

“It’s fantastic that the airport has been able to play a part in helping the Hurricanes, by linking them up to Darlington-based Wharton Construction, a brilliant local business that worked hard on the airport’s terminal redevelopment.

“The firm is now going further to give back to the area, making a real change for these young people, who could very well be the footie stars of the future.”

Jenny Hill, on behalf of Middleton Rangers, said: “The boys would like to thank Ben Houchen and Teesside Airport for arranging the sponsorship with Wharton Construction. We would like to say a massive thank you to Wharton Construction for its contribution towards our team, these boy all look very smart when they arrive to matches now.

“Middleton Rangers is proud to be connected with Teesside Airport – which is a big part of our local community – and Wharton Construction. The club is always looking to work with people and get support from the local community so this has been a perfect sponsorship deal.”

Matthew Wharton, Director of Wharton Construction, said: “We are delighted to be supporting Middleton Rangers by sponsoring their football kit – it’s more important than ever that young people engage with sports and activities, and we hope that our contribution allows this continue.”

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