Chester-le-Street are building for the future after agreeing an amalgamation with a local junior club.

Chester already has one of the best reputations for developing youngsters in the Northern League, but that reputation is set to improve with the announcement that Riverside Juniors from Chester-le-Street will now be a big part of their growing and ambitious club.

Chairman Joe Burlison said: "The amalgamation of Riverside Youth is something that has been discussed now for over twelve months and finally we have seen it come to fruition.

"It is something that will benefit the club for years to come in that we will have ready made access to a stream of players coming through the ranks.

"From the Riverside Youth perspective they now have a base from which to work and hopefully somewhere where a training facility and improved social facility can be adopted and used by all.

"The groups ranging from Under 7 – Under 16 will now be know as Chester le Street Town Youth and are being registered as such with their respective leagues and the DFA. The Under 8 / Under 9 / Under 10 started playing under their new names in a summer league which commenced on Saturday 11 June. "All age groups will adopt the club's colours of Blue and White hoops with yellow and black as their away strips, it is also hoped that polo shirts and training tops etc will also be standardised throughout the whole club."

There is already a ladies' team playing on the ground, as Chester strengthen their links with the local community.

Former Premiership referee Alan Wilkie, who lives nearby, has also been elected vice chairman.

"Alan is a regular attender at the club and has assisted us in many ways previously and he wanted to be involved when he can," said Burlison.