HULLBRIDGE Sports have been rewarded with a brand new kit after winning a national competition.

The youth football team are one of 72 local teams to receive a new strip thanks to the EFL’s official DIY partner, Wickes, and Mitre.

More than 1,000 EFL tickets have also been won by all Kit for Kids winners.

Hullbridge Sports received their prize at Southend United’s Roots Hall.

Blues boss Phil Brown, along with John White and Stephen McLaughlin, joined the Rayleigh Wickes store manager James Degiorgio to present the under- 9s Tigers with their new kit.

Degiorgio said: “We were thrilled to meet the Kit for Kids winners.

“It enables us to see first-hand the value of supporting youth football teams and our community.

“We are committed to our involvement within football, so will continue to build and grow our local involvement and support grassroots football.”

The competition invited junior sides up and down the country to share their stories with Wickes, with a chance of winning the ultimate kit giveaway.

Despite scores of youth football clubs entering Wickes’ competition, Hullbridge Sports were one of the lucky few who were successful in their application.

The EFL were delighted to see a large number of clubs enter for the chance to win a new kit.

EFL commercial director Ben Wright added: “It is very exciting to see how the Kit for Kids initiative has captured the imagination of junior teams nationwide, and I am confident that local communities will really benefit from this competition.

“It is testament to the working relationships between Wickes and Mitre, in their roles as official partners of the EFL, that this campaign has proved so popular and will now help inspire youngsters to enjoy playing football and become lifelong fans of the game.”