THAILAND HAILS NEW KIT SPONSORS: TRACKSPEED1-UK!

A unique deal between Trackspeed1-UK Head Coach, John Powell and Nongtor-Tephatan United - a youth football outfit in N.E. Thailand - has seen the teenage squad smartly kitted out by Adidas UK.

The team, drawn from a group of villages just outside the city of Roi Et, had only old kit to play in for the current season, but their plight quickly came to the ears of John's wife, Chanphen, whose home town was Roi Et.

A life-long supporter of young people in sport, John contacted Adidas UK who were happy to provide cost-price kit, which John purchased and duly had printed up.  Squad numbers, the team name on the back, and the Trackspeed1-UK logo on the front as the team's now principle sponsors, made for a smart outfit.

Nongtor-Tephatan United with a rather obvious kit sponsor in the back row!

"It was a bit of an unexpected expense just before my family left for a trip to Thailand ourselves," said John, "but the area that these guys represent is so poor, villagers have very little money and certainly couldn't dream of buying football kit like this.

"Obviously with half the family based there, I've been a few times, and the people are so humble, and live in pretty modest conditions, it's brilliant that sport can still play a part in the lives of their young."

The squad were presented with their kit prior to a Thai Cup fixture yesterday (Saturday 22nd) versus the holders Maunglat Tream - a match that they narrowly lost 1-2.  The photo-call before kickoff certainly showed just how excited the team were to don their new kit for the first time.  They played again in the league today and drew 1-1.

Team Manager Suwit Chaiyasri said: "We can't thank John and the Trackspeed1-UK brand enough for this kit.  The team have been thrilled at the prospect of having a European sponsor - it's unheard of out here, and they look really smart and professional, which makes a big difference."

The cup match saw the visitors score first in the first half, with an early second half penalty that levelled things wiped out by the winner a few moments later.  The league clash saw a goal in both halves with the Trackspeed1-UK team levelling with another penalty.

A close-up of the team kit...