Home kit! AFC Stoneham Under 10s secure sponsorship from Hampshire housebuilder

The Under 10s jerseys at AFC Stoneham will bear a new name next season.

As part of a long running relationship with the club, Bargate Homes has agreed to sponsor the squad and provide new kits for their weekly Sunday matches.

Founded in 1919, AFC Stoneham has gone from strength to strength and will be fielding an impressive 92 teams for the 2023/24 season across all ages and abilities.

Seven years ago the club set up Stoneham Academy to offer a structured player pathway into both its male and female teams, with a focus on fostering youth talent.

Pete Lawrence, head coach for the under 10s, has been with AFC Stoneham since 2019 and was excited to hear about their latest sponsor.

He said: “We really value Bargate Homes’ support throughout the years, and this sponsorship is especially welcome.

“Football is an excellent way to teach young players life lessons and disciplines through the joy of team sport, which they can utilise throughout their everyday lives.”

Bargate Homes is currently overseeing six live developments, including Heritage Place in Eastleigh – just a 15-minute walk away from AFC Stoneham’s home ground at Monks Brook.

This represents the final phase in a wider £97 million scheme which, when complete, will feature 1000 homes within the 120-acre neighbourbood of North Stoneham Park.

Mark White, managing director of Bargate Homes, added: “We have always been keen to support community projects and sport in the Southampton area, so when the opportunity to sponsor a team at the Academy arose, we jumped at the chance.

“We pride ourselves on being a local Hampshire housebuilder with strong values and have fostered a culture that is completely inclusive and supportive for all.

“We want to give back to local communities in which we develop, and we choose to deliver a limited number of selected projects annually, exclusively within 45-minutes of our Fair Oak headquarters.”