FOOTBALLERS toasted the launch of a new ale by putting their name to it.

Players with AFC Masters were in Bolton Market Hall for the launch of Blue Sky Tea at the Great Ale stall — the brewing of which they oversaw every step of the way.

The pale ale has been brewed by Allgates after it teamed up with AFC Masters, a football team for disabled people in Bolton.

Blue Sky Tea was first brewed in October 2013 and proved to be a hit at beer festivals.

Now it is bottled for everyone to enjoy.

Ian Massingham, general manager of AFC Masters, said: “Coincidentally this year happens to be the 10th year anniversary of the club.

“I love beer, I love football and I love my team so this is perfect.”

He said: “I like to give my team different experiences, and as part of that we go on brewery tours and from that the team became involved in this.”

Player Steven Percival, aged 25, said: “We worked really hard, and it is a really good ale, I like it.”

Allgates bosses say they had wanted to brew a tea infused beer for a while.

The ale is lightly hopped with Summit and Mount Hood from the USA and infused with award winning Blue Sky Blend Tea, by way of a giant muslin tea bag, dunked in the copper at the end of the boil.

Great Ale, who were also part of Saturday’s Bolton Food and Drink Food Festival launch event, prides itself in stocking quality beer.

And on Saturday, owner Ann Simms tried the tea infused pale ale for the first time.

She said: “It’s really nice, really impressive.

“It is a lovely summer pale ale.”

Mrs Simms said: “It is wonderful to support the club and the community. We support a lot of local charities.”