Gateshead Football Club (GFC) and Gateshead Council have entered into a new partnership in a bid to develop sport in the area and encourage local residents to lead a healthy lifestyle.

The football club, which was promoted to the Blue Square Premier at the end of the 2008-09 season will incorporate a new logo on its home and away shirts to promote the 'Gateshead Fit for a City' initiative. Mick Henry, leader of Gateshead Council, said: "We believe in making Gateshead fit for a city, not only in terms of the investment in infrastructure and redevelopment, but also by becoming a shining example of an active and healthy place to live and work. We believe this partnership will help us to deliver both of these aims.

"We're an ambitious borough with aspirations of stepping up to the next level, just as Gateshead Football Club has aspirations of reaching the next level by returning league football to Gateshead." GFC chair Graham Wood added: "This partnership will help promote and develop sport in Gateshead. We firmly support the council's aspirations for healthy and active living and for creating the infrastructure of a successful city."

Image: GFC chair Graham Wood, Gateshead Council leader Mick Henry and GFC players Craig Baxter (white home strip) and Kris Gate (away strip) at the launch of the new partnership