Little Mix star Jade Thirlwall has become the Honorary President of South Shields Football Club.
The singer, who shot to fame after winning X Factor with the group in 2011, has taken on the role "to increase the club’s profile" and "put the town on the map".
Club bosses described Jade as a "proud Sanddancer committed to investing in the town".
Jade is currently a patron of South Shields-based charity Cancer Connections and recently invested in her own bar, Arbeia, and nightclub, Industry, in the town.
She said: “I’m so grateful to be asked to be the Honorary President of South Shields Football Club.
“I’m incredibly proud to come from South Shields and one thing I am most proud of about my hometown is the sense of community and how we love to support each other and see each other do well in all aspects of life, which is something the football club very much embodies.
“I hope through my role I can raise awareness and increase the club’s profile, encouraging others to do the same and support our incredible team.
“I’m looking forward to also being involved with any future projects the club will embark on that coincide with what I am passionate about.”
Jade attended the final fixture at 1st Cloud Arena before the 2019-20 season was brought to a premature end, and was enthralled as the Mariners defeated FC United of Manchester 5-3 in an exhilarating game.
She also said she was impressed with the club’s charitable Foundation – which works with more than 900 children every week during school term times - and is keen to be an advocate for tackling issues including homophobia, sexism and racism.
She has watched on with pride as her hometown team has progressed not only on the pitch over recent years, but off it too.
Jade added: “I’m really hoping our club can be very progressive in that sense as well as being insanely talented on the pitch.
“I’m so excited and I hope I can do everyone proud, just as our team has for our hometown.”
South Shields FC Chairman Geoff Thompson said: “We are delighted Jade has agreed to this ambassadorial role with the club.
“The club, its charitable Foundation and its academies are increasingly important in our community, helping to deliver a series of health and well-being programmes for people of all ages.
“Jade’s commitment to the town mirrors the club’s commitment and we are thrilled she is on board to further promote what we are trying to achieve.”
