Notts' Positive Goals football league is looking for sponsorship

A FOOTBALL league for people with mental health problems needs sponsorship for next season.

Positive Goals Football Festival launched the league at Arnold Town FC's Eagle Valley ground last April.

OUT OF THE BLUE: A Stonebridge Rovers player shrugs off rivals from The Equals; the Positive Goals Football Festival launched its first league last April.

Notts Healthcare Trust joined forces with Notts Disability Football Focus Group and the Notts FA to run the league. It kicked-off in November and four days of fixtures have been played so far.

Twelve teams from across the county played each other at a five-a-side event attended by MP Vernon Coaker.

But Positive Goals only has sponsorship for this season.

Money to cover running costs currently comes from the trust and football association. Notts FA's disability football development officer, Kevin Sanders, said he would apply for funding from the trust and FA again and from other organisations, including the Football Foundation.

But sponsorship from businesses was also needed to help with other costs, he said.

These include providing kit and training facilities.

"We are looking for sponsorship for the whole season," he said.

"We've had really good feedback [from the games] and it's good for everyone involved to play regular football.

"It builds up their self-esteem and confidence.

"Sponsorship is really important to get the league more into the mainstream."

The competition is the third-largest of its kind in the country, after London and Manchester.

There are currently nine teams involved. They meet up once a month for a day of matches.

Mr Sanders said he hoped the league fixtures would remain at Arnold Town's ground next season as this would best suit the players.

He said: "Each team plays three to four fixtures and the players get to play around 90 minutes of football.

"It's an opportunity for the players to get with each other in an environment that's suitable."

This season ends on April 29 and a day-long football festival is planned for May.