WEYMOUTH Youth got the chance to show off their news kits and trophies before the first team clash with Kettering Town.

Weymouth FC Youth secretary Michelle Tapper, was delighted with the showcase that was given to the club's youngsters.

She said “It was a great honour to be able to gather our Weymouth FC youth teams and to show how proud they are to wear their club strip this season.

"This represents a beginning of great things for Weymouth FC and its youth section.

"Working together we hope to maintain a youth section that supports players from our newly formed under-six team and throughout, who all have the future goal in mind to play for the first team.

"The merger with the parent club has been something we have been working on for some time and is something we are very excited about.

"This celebrates the beginning of that relationship and developing it to involve more local children to be part of their home town club.

"The children tell us all the time how excited they are to be wearing the same kit as the first team.

"Weymouth chairman Steve Mills, has been fantastic by raising the money from sponsors to pay for the kit for all the teams. "We are very grateful to those sponsors and Steve. It means a lot to us to be a unified club not only in spirit but in our team wear."

The kit is only one part of the work put into helping the youth section.

Children have had the chance to play friendly matches at the stadium and we have been able to host open evenings.

Free entry passes for all Weymouth FC youth players have been given.

Tapper added: "The monies raised by the youth tournament held at the end of May this year, also mean we can financially support our teams this season leaving our dedicated managers and coaches to focus on providing the best footballing experience possible for all Weymouth FC youth players.

"We are thankful for the support we have received from directors at the club who have not only talked to us at length about how we can move forward with the club but also supporting us with opportunities such as overseas tournaments and future fundraising among other things.

"We consider it a privilege to be part of our parent club and hope to contribute to providing the town with developing players for years to come.”