Mis-sold Expert Sponsors Eight Youth Football Teams
Anyone who's stood on the sidelines in the rain, holding someone's spare gloves and a flask of lukewarm tea, knows that grassroots football runs on more than just talent. It runs on volunteers, on car boots full of cones, and on parents who somehow always know where the missing shin pad went. We think that deserves a bit of backing.
That's why we've partnered with Gift of Kit to provide brand new Joma match kits to eight youth football teams. Shirts, shorts and socks, the whole set, no odd socks in sight.
If you've ever kitted out a growing child for a new season, you'll know the drill. They're finally the right size for last year's shirt, and then it's August and they've shot up three inches over the summer holidays. New kit isn't cheap, and it's rarely anyone's favourite item on the fundraising list. So we wanted to take that one off the pile.
What we did
We put the call out, asking local football teams to share their stories with us. In return, we'd pick eight lucky clubs to receive brand new kits, fully funded by us.
We had hundreds of entries, which honestly blew us away. Reading every single story was genuinely heartwarming, and it meant a lot that so many teams took the time to get in touch. Choosing just eight wasn't easy. After hours of reading, there were eight stories that stayed with us long after we'd finished.
The teams we've chosen come from communities across the UK. Some have been playing together for years, while others are just starting out. There are boys' teams, girls' teams and mixed teams, all with their own story and their own reasons why a new kit matters.
Why we're supporting grassroots football
Mis-sold Expert helps people understand whether their car or van finance agreement may have been mis-sold, and what options might be available to them. That's the day job. But we don't think community spirit should stop at the office door.
Grassroots football runs almost entirely on people giving up their own time. Coaches, team managers and parents organise the training sessions, sort the fixtures, drive the minibus, wash the kits, and somehow still show up smiling on a cold Sunday morning.
If we can take one cost off that list and let these teams focus on what actually matters, playing football, that feels like time well spent.
“The team at Mis-sold Expert is passionate about supporting people and making a positive difference in the communities around us. Grassroots football brings people together, but we know clubs and families face increasing costs during these challenging times. Providing eight teams with new kits felt like a practical way for us to give something back and support the volunteers, families and young players who make these clubs what they are.” - Mis-sold Expert.
Meet the eight teams
Calderglen Thistle 2014
Calderglen Thistle 2014 are an U13 boys' team in Scotland, playing in the Central Lanarkshire Youth Football Association league. This season is a big one for the team as they make the step up to 11-a-side football for the first time.
For the club, the value of the support is simple:
“Support in grassroots football is vital.”
Gainsborough Trinity Community FC
Gainsborough Trinity Community FC are a new U16 boys' team formed by bringing together three previous teams. Their squad includes players from Gainsborough, Scunthorpe, Doncaster and Lincoln, and they play in the Junior Premier League Yorkshire White Division.
As a new team, they had only been able to afford one kit, so having another will make a real difference on away days.
“This is huge for us. As a brand new team we could only afford one kit, so having two is amazing. It means the players don't have to wear bibs when we play away.”
Hackney Borough Youth F.C
Hackney Borough Youth F.C is a boys' team whose players have been together since they were six years old. The squad comes from a diverse range of backgrounds and has grown up playing football together.
The club said receiving the kit will also help bring more visibility to the work taking place in its local community.
Inclusion Sport Foundation
Inclusion Sport Foundation is a mixed team for boys and girls with disabilities or learning difficulties.
For the club, the kit is about much more than simply having something new to play in. It helps the players feel part of a team and shows that smaller inclusive clubs are being recognised and supported too.
“A sponsored kit means the world to the players as they feel included.”
Killingworth FC
Killingworth FC's mixed U11 team has been together for three years and has found it difficult to secure sponsorship.
Their message about what the new kit means was short and pretty hard to improve on:
“Means the world to the kids.”
Tigers Junior Football Club
Tigers Junior Football Club's girls' team grew out of the club's Wildcats programme and entered a league during the second half of last season.
The club describes them as a group who want to learn, have fun and enjoy grassroots football, backed by supportive parents cheering them on from the sidelines.
The new kit will help get the team ready for the 2026/27 season and take some of the pressure out of finding sponsorship.
Wincanton Town Ladies Football Club
Wincanton Town Ladies Football Club's U14 girls' team is the only team of its age group in its local community, with players travelling from across the county to take part.
They compete in the Somerset Girls County League and have continued to grow in both numbers and confidence.
For the club, receiving a new kit is about giving the players something they can feel proud to wear.
“It helps to highlight to our players that they deserve to be proud to play for our club and be supplied with quality kit.”
Winstanley Warriors Under 15 Girls
Winstanley Warriors Under 15 Girls are now in their fourth year together, with many of the current squad having played together since U11 level.
The club says the players have built a strong team spirit and social bond over those years.
They also highlighted one of the biggest challenges facing amateur teams: the constant need to fundraise.
“A sponsored kit means the world as it alleviates the pressures of constant fundraising. It also provides a proper uniform which makes the girls feel they belong to a proper team.”
What each team is getting
Each of the eight teams will receive a full Joma match kit for 16 players, covering the starting 11 and five substitutes. Each team has also been able to choose its kit colours from a broad selection, giving clubs the chance to pick something that suits their own identity.
Each kit includes:
- Shirts
- Shorts
- Socks
That means 128 young footballers across the eight teams will receive a full match kit, ready for the season ahead.
That's eight squads heading out this season looking sharp and matching, with no odd shirt from three seasons ago holding the back line together.
For some teams, the kit means less fundraising. For others, it means having a proper away strip, giving players a stronger sense of belonging or simply being able to start the season looking and feeling like a team.
Whatever the reason, the message from the clubs has been pretty consistent: practical support at grassroots level matters.
Following the teams this season
We'll be sharing more from the teams as the season kicks off, including photos of the new kits in action and updates from the clubs involved. This is part of our wider aim to support local communities in practical, hands-on ways, not just with words, but with things that actually make a difference.
If you're involved with a grassroots football club and want to find out more about our community work, get in touch with the Mis-sold Expert team. We'd love to hear from you.
Regulatory Information
Mis-sold Expert is a trading name of M. R. Consumer Services Limited. We are a Claims Management Company authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, FRN 838452. M. R. Consumer Services Limited is registered in England and Wales, Company No. 07102609.
We may handle your claim directly or refer it to our panel of solicitors. If your claim is referred, we may receive a commission. This does not affect the amount you receive.
Customers can also complain directly to their finance provider for free and, where appropriate, refer the complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service for free.
If you choose to instruct Mis-sold Expert, fees apply if your claim is successful. Our fee is 18 to 36% of the compensation recovered, including VAT.
If you cancel outside the 14 day cooling off period, cancellation charges may apply at £80 plus VAT per hour for work carried out.
Helpful resources
- Car Finance Claims: Complete UK Consumer Guide (2026)
- How Car Finance Really Works in the UK | Mis-Sold Expert
- Understanding Mis-sold PCP Car Finance | Mis-Sold Expert
- How The Car Finance Compensation Process Works - Mis-Sold Expert
- Key Facts Worth Knowing
- Introducing ‘You Could Claim Yourself’ with Nick Knowles
- Car Finance Claims Explained: Self Managed Claims vs Claims Management Support
Disclaimer: This article is for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice, financial advice or a recommendation to pursue a claim. Information is based on publicly available sources at the time of writing and may change as regulatory, legal or court proceedings develop. If you require advice about your individual circumstances, you should seek independent professional guidance.
