IT'S an expensive business running a youth football team these days never mind four which is what Gala Fairydean Youth FC does every week during the course of the season.

Especially when the club wants to take full advantage of the magnificent facilities that are now available at Netherdale's 3G Arena.

In order to keep match day and training fees for players of all four age groups to an affordable level, the committee organises fund-raisers to offset the heavy costs involved.

But the club faced another major headache at the start of the season when it was obviously apparent that the stock of strips worn by the players had come to the end of their shelf lives.

That is when an appeal was issued to businesses in Galashiels to come to the club's aid and sponsor a new set of strips for the under 13s, 14s, 15s and 17s teams who are part of the Scottish Borders Junior Football Association set-up.

The club was delighted when four local firms - Baguette N Go, Safe Services, John Scott Plumbing and Heating and 5 Star Taxis - rallied to the cause and agreed to sponsor a team.

And the icing on the cake came when Citreon Dalgleish generously provided 100 club polo shirts for all players and coaches to wear on match days.

The club is also grateful to Reiver Embroidery for their support and ensuring the smart turn-out of club members.

Gala Fairydean Youth FC chairman Robert Fairburn said: "We live in tough economic times so it is all the more gratifying to appreciate the support we have received from businesses in Galashiels.

"Gala Fairydean teams have always been smartly turned out but it was identified at the start of the season the current stock needed replaced.

"It would have been a huge task to raise the money to replace the strips and there was a lot of scratching of heads on how this was to be achieved.

"But thanks to these generous businesses our teams are now playing in new strips while the smart polo shirts were a fantastic bonus.

"We cannot thank these firms enough for their support of youth football in Galashiels."

Gala Fairydean Youth FC was established in 2006 and gained the SFA Quality Mark Certification in September of that year.

Fred Blackie, the club's youth co-ordinator, explained that they aim to provide football opportunities for all youngsters between the ages of 12-17 in the Galashiels and surrounding area - regardless of ability, race or gender - to participate in organised football.

He said: "Our aim is to provide an educated football programme to players through a coherent structured coaching programme delivered by Scottish FA certificated coaching staff.

"All the coaching staff and parent helpers at the club are volunteers who give up endless hours of their valuable time to provide football for the youths of Galashiels and beyond.

"Gala Fairydean Youth FC are part of the Gala Football Club pyramid which gives a clear pathway for players from six years old at Tweedbank Thistle and Gala Dean Juniors through the youth system then onto the senior game.

"The club over the years has been very successful in winning leagues and cups at the various age levels but the emphasis will never be on winning but to educate players on the technical and tactical side of the game itself so they are ready to step up to the senior teams.

"Winning is the bonus from playing football in the proper manner.

"The main objective of the club will always be to provide players for the senior game and hopefully progress to the Gala Fairydean first team."

Despite this financial boost from local businesses, the club is not able to rest on its laurels as it now needs to fund putting all coaches through First Aid Training Courses to ensure the best possible treatment for any injured players during games.