Pictured: Pertemps People Development Group's Malcolm Buchanan (left) with Football Futures FC players (from left) Adika Glynn, Luke Henry and Omar Buchanan

Players at a Birmingham football club are in a league of their own when it comes to stylish kit - after a company answered their plea for support.

Football Futures FC, based in Kingstanding, was struggling to buy much-needed new kit for one of its two under-16 teams after cutbacks in funding at various organizations.

Team coach Malcolm Buchanan turned to his employers, Edgbaston-based Pertemps People Development Group (PPDG), for help through the company's highly successful payroll giving scheme.

Malcolm, an employment coach who helps unemployed people find jobs and training, said: "Football Futures has been providing coaching and playing opportunities for thousands of local young people for around eight years. Recently it has become very difficult to access funding due to the economic situation and we were becoming desperate because the lads had outgrown their kit.

"I nominated the club for a donation from Pertemps People Development Group's Give As You Earn scheme and they were kind enough to grant us £450. It's getting more and more expensive to run a football team, due to increases in the cost of pitches and referees, so this donation is very welcome and will make a real difference."

The £450 donation paid for a complete kit of shirts, shorts and socks for the under-16s squad who have been coached by Malcolm since they were aged eight.

Football Futures FC runs nine teams for boys aged seven to 17 and provides coaching for around 1,000 children each year. Based in Kingstanding, the teams play at Burford Playing Fields and coaching sessions are staged at Cardinal Wiseman School.

Any companies or organizations that can provide further support should contact Malcolm on 07739677201 or 07833952185, or email malcolm.buchanan@ppdg.co.uk.

PPDG's total donations to charities and good causes through its payroll-giving scheme recently broke the £150,000 barrier. Around two thirds of employees are involved in payroll deductions that benefit others less fortunate in the community.

For more information about Pertemps People Development Group, please visit their website here: www.ppdg.co.uk