LEGEND Alliance have linked up with Hatch Warren Phoenix FC and will be sponsoring their training kit this season.

Managing director of Legend Alliance Jason Gambling said: “As I live in Basingstoke I had heard a lot of positive things about the Hatch Warren Phoenix and having seen their website I investigated further.

“It was clear from the outset that Daren (Bavister) and his team put a tremendous amount of effort into the development of the players. As a business Legend Alliance were very impressed by the positive influence that the Phoenix and their volunteer coaches have on the children and this is a very exciting venture for us to be part of.”

Club chairman Daren Bavister said: “Setting up a new junior team is inherently financially challenging as we witnessed firsthand last season. This year we have expanded further, which to us as a club is proof that we are doing things right.

“When Jason approached us with this sponsorship we really were taken aback and the response from the room when I displayed the kit was a sight to behold.”

The Abacus Employment sponsored Hatch Warren Phoenix Inferno, Flames and Blaze sides returned from their summer break and travelled to Andover New St.

The under-seven Inferno conceded just one goal over the duration with Sadie Martindale and Niall Waite sharing the shot stopping duties.

Goals were plentiful for the youngest of the club’s teams with new members George Sharp and Georgie Gambling claiming a clutch of goals between them.

The Phoenix sides returned to training with more than one goal to achieve. The players have also raised £100 for 12-year-old Hannah Murrey’s CLIC Sargent Justgiving page. Hannah’s brother Ben played for the club as an under-12 Phoenix.

Chairman Bavister said: “Helping Hannah towards achieving her target is the very least we could do. We all wish her the very best and sincerely hope that she feels better very soon.”