GRASSROOTS football in York is bucking the cost-cutting economic trend.

As organisations nationwide tighten their purse-strings, the York Football Association are celebrating a clean sweep of sponsorships for their junior cup competitions.

Delighted York FA secretary Bob Grainger said: “All the FA cups are covered by sponsorship and that is great for football locally.

“Before this season, we’ve only had the Acaster Steel Cup sponsored and that has been going for 12 years now.

“It is fantastic for local businesses to support junior football and it keeps cup fees down for the clubs.”

As well as long-standing backer Acaster Steel, the York FA sponsors include Pavers Shoes, Wallis Business Services, PB Curran Insurance, F1 Racing, Stoneplan Construction and The Helmsley Group.

The York FA held a get-together for representatives of their sponsors at Poppleton Junior Football Club’s Millfield Lane base, where a new clubhouse development is scheduled to open in September.

Grainger said that would be another welcome boost.