SANTOS AFC have kicked off the New Year in ideal fashion by announcing a new sponsorship deal.

The Lancashire and Cheshire League side have agreed a deal with Heywood company Yellowgrid Ltd, based at TOPS Business Centre,.

The company was set up in 2007 by Craig Graham and Daniel Butterworth and success led it to expand last year, employing two new staff members and moving to a larger office within the TOPS Centre.

Its main clientele consists of small and medium businesses, which are mainly local, and director Craig said this focus was one of the main motivations behind sponsoring the Santos.

The team has only been in existence for three years but already has two adult and one youth teams.

Craig said: "All the staff at Yellowgrid have played football since we were kids and still have the occasional game now.

"After over-indulging at Christmas we probably should increase our sporting activities, but we probably won’t!

"So as we work with many local businesses, we were pleased when we were given the opportunity to sponsor a local football team."

Santos AFC chairman, Ian Dunkerley, said: "All the talk within the business circles is of the current economic downturn and a lot of companies are concentrating on survival, so it is great to know that there are still companies willing to support grassroots football.

"The sponsorship is essential to the existence of the club."

They have an ambitious youth strategy and plan to start an under-sevens team next season with further squads following.

Further details are available at ian.dunkerley@santosafc.co.uk

BOTH Santos’ first and second teams had their games postponed.