A PAIR of self-made marketing gurus have teamed up with Barry’s sporting elite to help the town score big.

Barrybados and Barry Town United AFC signed up to a joint objective to promote the town and what it has to offer.

Barry Town United home and away kits will carry the distinctive Barrybados logo on their shorts with further initiatives set for the New Year.

Both parties will advertise Barry and its attractions to the widest possible audience - something that will now continue at Barry Town United matches across South Wales and beyond.

By displaying the Barrybados road sign logo on their travels, Barry Town United will reaffirm the message that Wales' largest town is both open for business and a fun, attractive destination for holidaymakers and other visitors.

Friends Louis Ross, a bid co-ordinator, and painter and decorator Rhys Howell, 30, who attended All Saints Church in Wales primary school, in Barry, and then Barry Comprehensive, were tired of seeing Barry run down and set about doing the town “proud” with a social media and merchandise campaign. They began by marketing their home town and Island in a bid to spread a feel-good factor using the brand 'Barrybados'.

Louis said: "We’re delighted be to working with Barry Town United. It’s a fantastic opportunity to work together not only to promote the football club but to promote Barry as well. Our logo will be featured on the shorts, which will be printed over the Christmas period. We’re hoping to get some photos done on the weekend with the team, manager and some of our products, and look forward to a long-lasting partnership.

"It was Barry Town officials who approached us and we jumped at the idea. Working together can only be beneficial to the town, and help raise awareness especially with our logo on their kit. I remember the first ever game of football I ever saw, It was Barry Town V Aberdeen, I was only a kid and Jenner Park was packed to the rafters. Their past troubles with the owner are long in the past and the only way is up for The Town now.

"They have a great, loyal, dedicated fan base that only want what’s best for the club and town, and we’re now glad to be part of it. Hopefully, this partnership will bring more interest into the club and Barry too."

The link-up will allow the innovative marketing work of the Barrybados group to be magnified by the town's newly fan-run community club.

For information on Barrybados and Barry Town United, visit the www.barrybados.com and www.barrytownunited.com