A KILWINNING football squad have become the only Ayrshire team to score a place in a top women's league - but have issued a desperate plea for the sponsorship they need to keep winning.

Kilwinning Sports Club (KSC) Ladies players need financial backing to pay for kits and proper training sessions after gaining promotion to the Scottish Women's Premier League in record time.

Despite only starting up in May 2009, KSC gained promotion from the second to first division in 2011 and last year landed a place in the elite division.

Team captain Michelle Collins said KSC desperately needs cash to take on big teams like Celtic and Glasgow City when the season starts in March.

She said: "We made a joke about getting into the premier league in two years when we first started but then it happened. It is quite surreal that we have achieved this.

"Now we need sponsorship to provide our players with proper kits but we are looking at shorts and T-shirts at the minute.

"The success of the team in recent seasons has attracted a number of new players and volunteers to support the team, and we are in dire need of both new training kit and a new away strip. We currently train twice a week and are looking to progress to a third training night if we can secure finance to do so." KSC needs about �8,000 this year for training and matches alone and Michelle said a sponsor would benefit from national exposure by supporting the team.

The squad is aiming for a mid-table position in the premier league this season but aims to be at the top in future years.

Midfielder Michelle said the squad's success so far has been down to drive and teamwork.

She said: "We are a very closely knit team and also good to play against. We are pretty determined and have ambition." To find out more about sponsoring the team or volunteering, telephone: 07590 815 116 or email: chelby@hotmail.co.uk.