SPONSORED kits and lucrative boot deals are nothing new in football – but Sam Nunn may be the first player to secure a sponsor for an artificial leg.The footballer, who plays for Ipswich Town Disabled Football Club, is having his new leg sponsored by the Ipswich and Norwich Co-op.

SPONSORED kits and lucrative boot deals are nothing new in football – but Sam Nunn may be the first player to secure a sponsor for an artificial leg.

The footballer, who plays for Ipswich Town Disabled Football Club, is having his new leg sponsored by the Ipswich and Norwich Co-op.

Mr Nunn's prosthetic limb will bear the logos of his club and his sponsor – and he hopes it will help his team climb the league.

The 20-year-old attacking midfielder decided to seek sponsorship for the leg when his previous one needed replacing.

"The other leg was a bit short so I needed to get a new one and thought it would be a good way to raise money for the club to get it sponsored," he said.

"It might seem a strange thing to do – I've never heard of anyone doing it before – but the new leg looks great.

"I had enquiries about sponsorship from several companies but I chose the Co-op because it is a local business that supports a lot of charities in the area."

Mr Nunn, from Chelmondiston, near Ipswich, has always been a keen football fan and started playing with Somersham United and Shotley Rangers.

He answered an advert to join Wimbledon Disabled Football Club before moving to play for Southend.

The travelling became too much for him and he took a break from the game, before joining up with Ipswich Town just over a year ago.

The team's season in the London and South East Ability Counts League got off to a bad start, but results have been improving and they have received another boost with the cash injection from the Co-op.

It will help with the cost of travelling to matches as far away as Birmingham and Mr Nunn is hoping his new leg, which was fitted by Addenbrooke's Hospital, in Cambridge, will also make him an improved player for the rest of the season.

"I can stand straighter with the new leg so it means I can kick the ball a bit harder," said the trainee construction technician.

Mariam Harrup, communications and community manager for the Ipswich and Norwich Co-op, said: "We have donated money to a huge range of charities, but we certainly haven't sponsored an artificial limb before.

"When we heard Sam was looking for a sponsor we thought it was a great idea. It's wonderful that he is doing something like this for his team-mates and his club – he is an inspiration for others."

Anyone interested in further sponsorship or fundraising for the club should contact Dave Mullett on 07850 779770 or 01473 683471.