A Blyth Spartans sponsorship idea has been given short shrift by the Football Association.

The Blue Square North club had agreed a deal with Newcastle–based Viz comic for them to sponsor the team’s shorts. However the proposed design fell foul of the FA’s rulebook which prevents any disrespectful or indecent logos or images on football kit. Club spokesman Phil Castiaux commented “The FA felt the original design was a bit cheeky – as it implied a rip in the back of the shorts exposing some flesh, so we had to ask for a revamped version. Fortunately the alternative passed the FA’s strict decency criteria so we will be sporting the new sponsored shorts for our FA Cup tie this Saturday” Graham Dury, Editor of Viz and Spartans season ticket holder, commented, “The FA were quite right to knock back our first design. It was absolutely disgraceful. If they had accepted it, I think I would have stopped going to the games in protest. ”The final design on the back of the shorts is much more tasteful. I only hope the players remember to keep their shirts tucked in, or we may be asking for a refund."