KIRKLEES College has officially sponsored a third local sporting team.

The college has a longstanding partnerships with Dewsbury Rams and Huddersfield Town and has now joined forced with the Batley Bulldogs as their new official education and training partner.

And the college has wasted no time in already putting its stamp on the Mount Pleasant stadium with a giant banner on the disused stand along with several other banners among the terraces.

The new deal was cemented as the Bulldogs took on the Dewsbury Rams on Good Friday, with the college as official sponsor of the match.

Michael Bennett, spokesman for Kirklees College said the partnership would open up many opportunities for students along with raising the profile of the college in the local community.

He said: “We expect to see some real benefits from this partnership.

“We’ve already spoken about a number of potential projects our students could get involved with to put their skills to use.

“The Batley Bulldogs are at the heart of our local community and we’re delighted to be associated with them.

“They have good links with schools, which means that the young people who get involved with the club also have access to information about what choices are available to them at Kirklees College.”