A pub boss has finally ended a football team's 77-year search for a kit sponsor.

The Benfleet Tavern, in Richmond Avenue, has became the first sponsor of Thundersley and Hadleigh FC.

Pub manager Darren Cook said: "It's great to help out.

"A lot of the players and their families are now regulars here, so when we heard the team had been looking for a sponsor we were more than happy to help.

"The team has been going for 77 years but has never been able to secure a sponsor - until now, that is."

Chuffed chairman and secretary Cyril Gray, who has been involved with team since the 1970s, said: "We were delighted when Darren agreed. We have been waiting a long time for this."

Published Thursday March 4, 2004

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