Beal Homes is backing non-league football club Goole AFC as part of the housebuilder’s commitment to supporting the community in the town.

Beal’s sponsorship is a welcome boost for the club during a challenging time due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Based at the Victoria Pleasure Grounds in Marcus Street, Goole AFC is currently closed due to Covid restrictions.

Club Chairman Alan Wilson said it has been a difficult financial year for the club because of the impact of the pandemic.

He said: “It has been an incredibly challenging year for the club. Not knowing when we can train, play and sign players, and temporarily losing players when they’ve had to isolate, has meant we’ve lost money this year, so this sponsorship is vital.

“Without sponsorship, the club goes out of business, so having the backing of Beal is fantastic and we really appreciate what they’re doing in Goole.

“We want to make Goole AFC a community club and give local kids a positive focus. It’s good to hear how Beal supports the areas where they’re building.”

Beal’s backing for Goole AFC is part of its support for grass-roots community causes in Goole where the East Yorkshire-based housebuilder will invest £130m over the next 12 years building The Greenways.

The development is the largest in Goole for decades and the biggest single scheme in Beal’s history.

The football club has been in existence for around 130 years and was reformed in 1997 as Goole AFC. Known as The Vikings, the club plays in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division.

As part of the Beal sponsorship, the housebuilder’s logo will appear on the sleeve of the team’s home and away shirts as well as on the front of the team tracksuits.

Mr Wilson added: “The value to the town of having a decent football club can’t be underestimated and could be seen as a draw to move here.

“Beal Homes’ The Greenways development is great for Goole and brings more people to live here, as well as complementing other current regeneration and investment efforts in the town.

“We’re looking forward to hopefully working with Beal Homes even more in the future.”

Beal Chief Executive Richard Beal said: “We’re delighted to be supporting Goole AFC, especially during such a difficult time for grass-roots football.

“We’re committed to being very much part of the community in Goole and this partnership reflects that. Goole AFC has an important role in the life of the town and we’re proud to be associated with the club.”

Beal’s support for Goole AFC follows another commitment to a local community sports organisation. Beal is enabling at least 2,000 children to take up tennis and increase participation in the sport through a two-year programme of community engagement delivered by Goole Tennis Centre.