CONGLETON Town issued an SOS this week for a sponsor for the team shirts after a firm pulled out two weeks before the start of the new season.

The Bears are seeking a new shirts sponsor after Pulse Fitness decided not to continue its links with the club.

"The company said they could not commit themselves to that expenditure,'' said Ken Mead, who deals with the commercial side of the club.

"We are very disappointed they pulled out, as the shirts sponsorship is our biggest single source of revenue.

"If we cannot find another sponsor we will have to find other ways of raising the revenue, because we have budgeted for what we want and can afford to do this year.''

He stressed that any business interested in sponsorsing the team shirts would not be expected to pay the same figure as if the deal had been signed and sealed a month or so ago.

Mr Mead thanked Smurfit Cartons and local Indian restaurant The Taste of Raj for their support, with Smurfit sponsoring the programmes and The Taste of Raj the training tops.

Anyone interested in sponsoring the team shirts can ring Mr Mead on 01782-288234.

The Bears went down 4-1 at home on Thursday to Stoke City in the last of their pre-season friendlies.

They were 2-0 down at half-time, but striker Rod Thornley pulled one back in the second half to make it 3-1.

Congleton take on Bradford Park Avenue at home this Saturday in their first game of the new season.

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