A YOUTH football team in Kelvedon Hatch is making rival clubs "well jel" (a phrase made famous by TOWIE) with its new star backing.
Brentwood celebrity Amy Childs, 22, dropped by to see Kelvedon Hatch under-8s in action last Saturday after agreeing to sponsor the team, with her boutique and salon logo now emblazoned on their new shirts and tracksuits.
The former TOWIE star said: "I'm a big West Ham fan, so it's amazing for me to sponsor a local football team."
Amy's godson Freddie Derbridge, seven, plays in goal for the youth side.
"As Freddie's in the team I'll come and see them play more in the future," she said.
"I wanted to make the kits a bit glitzy, so hopefully the boys don't mind."
Response from the players has been positive. Amy's godson Freddie and team captain Ben Gosling, also seven, are both fans of the new-look kit.
"I'm proud to have Amy's name on my shirt", Freddie said. "I've been playing for six weeks now and I support West Ham too."
Skipper Ben added: "I scored a hat-trick last week so I don't mind that the shirt has got a girl's name on it."
The added touch of Essex glamour seems to have brought a turnaround in fortunes for the team, after their new kits inspired them to victory last week.
"Last week they won their first game so I've brought them luck," Amy said.
She is also happy to support children staying active.
"It's important for the boys to stay fit and also just to enjoy it. I'm running the London Marathon next year with my boyfriend Dave [Peters], so maybe soon I'll be able to keep up with the boys", she said.
Joint managers of Kelvedon Hatch FC. under-8s, John Divall and Barry Mackay, are delighted with the new sponsorship and hope it will encourage more players to join the team.
Barry said: "It's great for the local area, with the new kits we might be able to get a few more boys down playing for the side.
"We get kids from all different areas wanting to play. The club's been around for 70 or 80 years now, and we want to keep that tradition going", he added.
