Their goalkeeping is competent, their teamwork solid but it is not their skills that make Voukefalas FC stand out on the pitch, it is their shirts - bright pink and emblazoned with the words "Villa Erotica".

In tough times, who else to turn to but the local brothel? For this amateur club in the central Greek city of Larissa, it was the last option available to save them from bankruptcy.

The team's coach, Yiannis Batziolas says there is nothing to be ashamed of, and that the game is full of far shadier sponsors.

"When you see that, in professional football, betting companies and alcohol are advertised, I think that's far more immoral," he says.

"In Greece, it's not peculiar to visit a sex house. I think most young people have been to these places because it is a human need.

"And I'm proud of the woman who owns this brothel, proud that she helps our dreams of playing football come true."

The woman in question is Madam Soula Alevridou who sits in the stands, proudly watching the team show off their tackling skills.

Petite, with cropped grey hair and dressed in a jacket and tie, she has built a reputation in the city as a wealthy businesswoman.

Telling myself there is a first time for everything, I pay a visit to her brothel on the outskirts of Larissa.

Inside the ordinary-looking building, the rooms are bathed in red light, with gold gilded mirrors on the scarlet walls. The decoration is suitably kitsch with purple velvet thrones and multi-coloured crystal lamps. The suite is even equipped with a jacuzzi and minibar.

In Alevridou's apartment within the Villa Erotica complex, I ask her how she came to support the team.

"It's because I love Greece and I like helping young people," she says.

"The authorities here don't give money for sports, for education or anything. So why shouldn't a poor football team come to me to help make ends meet?"

don't think this is amateur football any more but a fully fledged 'pro' team ...

And sex before, during and after the game too...