THIRSTY sports fans can enjoy a pint with their team's name on it - after a football club and a brewery teamed up to produce a new ale.

Northallerton Town FC and Wall's County Town Brewery have launched 1895 Town Bitter, to commemorate the club's proud history.

The ale found popularity beyond expectations on its first weekend on sale, with more than 1,150 pints poured.

It was on offer at the football club's clubhouse, as well as at selected pubs in the town, before supplies ran dry.

Brewery staff have been working hard to produce more, with replenishments expected to be on sale this weekend.

The 1895 in the beer's name refers to the year the club was formed.

Committee member Jamie Tosh said: "Not many people in the town realised that the football club was that old.

"It took a month from the first meeting with the brewery for the beer to be ready.

"We had a launch in February and it sold more than 1,000 pints in the first weekend.

"We're looking forward to the arrival of the second batch."

Mr Tosh said it was hoped the beer, which is described as a golden ale with a light, refreshing taste, will become a regular fixture at the club, and further afield, for years to come.

Mr Tosh is urging Northallerton residents to support the town's football club, rather than being tempted to spend big money travelling to Middlesbrough or Leeds.

He said: "More people should try it, I would like to see 300 people through the gates. That's an ambitious target, but I do not think it is insurmountable."