THE future of a community football club which has helped turn the fortunes of a once troubled Bournemouth estate around has been guaranteed.

Townsend Junior Spartans was set up in February last year to take eight to 13-year-olds off the streets and channel their energies into sport.

Managed by local resident Roche Graydon and football coach Graham Parker, the team meets twice a week for training sessions.

They had been struggling to find sponsorship for new training equipment but Bournemouth Rotary Club has come to the rescue, providing much-needed grant-aid to purchase items including kit, hurdles and balls.

A delighted Roche told the Daily Echo: “Finding sponsorship can be hard, especially at the moment, which is why we are so grateful to everyone at the Bournemouth Rotary Club.”

She added: “We operate on a tight budget so support like this is invaluable. The Rotary Club has made a real difference to the children of Townsend.”

Bournemouth Rotary Club representative Mike Dwyer said: “Our members greatly admire the work that Roche and Graham are doing for the local community and are delighted to be supporters of Townsend Junior Spartans FC.”

Claire Geraghty, chair of Townsend community centre and the Townsend Together Team, said: “The Spartans is run and funded by the children themselves.

“But sponsorship was a big issue. We really appreciate the help of Bournemouth Rotary Club which has secured the future of the Spartans.”

Latest crime figures show that crime on Townsend has plunged by 20 per cent during the past year with the number of anti-social behaviour incidents down by almost a quarter.