Young footballers are to be given more "zing" in their step with nutritious meals from their restaurant sponsor.

Chefs at The Blue Bicycle, in Fossgate, York, have promised to fuel the Heworth under-eight team after they suffered a heartbreaking end-of-season defeat. The promising junior footballers went down six goals to five on penalties against Rawcliffe in an end-of-season nail biter.

Head chef Kenny Noble, whose eight-year-old son Ryan plays in the team, says he hopes the top-notch tucker will reverse their fortunes.

"We're going to feed them up for next season," he said.

"Some good meals could well give them a winning advantage."

Updated: 09:09 Friday, May 23, 2003