Young Porthleven football players are set for a season of success, thanks to a brand-new kit and an exciting new development for their club.

Just months after Porthleven FC was granted planning permission for a new youth football pitch, one of its youth teams the Porthleven Panthers is now kitted out for a new season – and it’s all thanks to local car dealership, Toyota Parklands in Helston.

The under-seven’s team have received away shirts and rain jackets following its new sponsorship from the dealership.

The Panthers in their new away shirts (Image: Helston Packet) At a special presentation held at Toyota, players excitedly received their new kit, after being praised for a successful season that saw them win seven out of eight matches in 2024 by manager Freddy Ash.

“The jackets look fantastic – perfect for the wet weather,” Freddy said. “We’re also chuffed to have Toyota on board, it’s a very exciting moment for the team.”

General Sales Manager of Toyota Parklands, Ryan Bosustow told the Packet why the garage wanted to sponsor the Porthleven Panthers. He said: “We just wanted to keep it local.

"We are one of three family-run dealerships remaining in Cornwall. That’s why we were happy to sponsor the Panthers, it’s the local community and we wanted to keep it more personal."

Ryan, who used to play for the Helston Athletic Football Club when he was younger, said he still has a deep love for the sport.

L-R Feddy Ash, Ryan Bosustow, Jamie Thomson and Stephen Rendall (Image: Helston Packet) This new sponsorship comes just a few months after planning permission to turn a field behind Porthleven Primary School into a youth football pitch was granted.

This new pitch aims to relieve pressure on the club's single pitch at Gala Park, where nine teams are currently trying to share the space.

This development will allow the club to cater for a growing number of young players by providing not just a new pitch but also changing and toilet facilities and parking.

In an application on behalf of club chairman Rob Hichens, architect Chris Strike of RA Design stated at the time: “This application is to change the use of a field to a youth football pitch for the benefit of the growing Porthleven FC Youth.

Daniel Wolstencroft looking lovely in his new rain jacket (Image: Helston Packet) “Currently the club benefits from four youth teams, with lots of other players wanting to join, but the club is already struggling to cope with the demand on facilities. This area will allow the youth teams to grow, along with a changing area, toilet facilities and parking.

“This proposal will benefit the local community and its youth players, girls and boys. The land is not currently used, and this new youth area will have limited impact on the area.”

You can read more about the agreed plans here: Porthleven to get brand new football pitch for young players

General Sales Manager Ryan with the Panthers (Image: Helston Packet) Freddy added that the approval of the planning permission was “huge” for the Panthers and that it would provide a significantly more “beneficial” environment for the players and the community.

Additionally, the team will be fundraising through a series of events to help raise the remaining funds for the new pitch.