TAVISTOCK Thistles U14s football team is aiming for league and cup success this season with the backing of Tavistock Tyres.

The team, which plays in the Devon Junior and Minor League Under-14s Raleigh division, has agreed a two-year kit sponsorship deal with tyre and exhaust centre in the town.

Tim Schmid, manager of Tavistock Tyres at Plymouth Road industrial estate, said: 'We're delighted to sponsor the Tavistock Thistles U14s team and wish them every success this season. The team's manager, Mick Calvert, is confident his squad of players have the talent and ability to do well in the league and cup during the coming months. The Tavistock Thistles Football Club take a lot of care and pride in coaching their players to be respectful on the pitch and to play the game in the right manner. They want to provide teams for all junior age group levels.'

 The U14s team play their home matches at Lamerton near Tavistock on a Saturday.  The team will be training on Kelly College's all-weather pitch in Tavistock on a Wednesday evening under the guidance of Mick and the assistant coach Peter Holland.

Mick said: 'We're very grateful to Tim and Tavistock Tyres for sponsoring the team for the next two years. It's a great help in providing the best for our players, who also benefit from the good pitch and changing room facilities at our home ground.

'I'm hopeful the team will do well this season. We have added a couple of extra players to the squad, which numbers about 19 boys.

'The team is maturing and we've got some players who are hitting that period of time when they should be able to take the lead in matches.'