The shirt on your back

I was travelling on the train to Charlton last Saturday and a very intelligent lad of about ten was sitting opposite me and talking to his much older brother who was evidently already in work.   The lad noted that Andrews Air Conditioning were Charlton’s shirt sponsors and asked if air conditioning units were for sale in the club shop.

The ethics of football club sponsorship

How concerned should football clubs be about the ethics of the companies on their shirts?  It’s an issue that has caused some controversy at Newcastle United who are sponsored by payday loan company Wonga.   This blog post attempts to rank Premier League clubs in terms of the ethics of the firms that sponsor them.

Red rag to a bull?

Leeds United are in talks over a lucrative link-up with energy drink giant Red Bull that could lead to the renaming of the club’s Elland Road ground. It is being reported that top-level discussions have started between the club and the company about a possible shirt sponsorship agreement.

No-one involved in those discussions is prepared to go on record as to how far reaching any deal could be. But today’s revelation is likely to prompt speculation that a stadium naming rights deal could also be under consideration.

Biggest ever sponsorship deal for Swansea City

Swansea City has agreed its largest sponsorship deal in the club’s 101-year history with GWFX which is one of the core brands under the fast growing global financial services provider Goldenway which is based in Hong Kong. Goldenway Global Investments (GWFX) provides a full range of online trading services such as forex trading and contract for differences (CFD) to clients.

Fan power defeats sponsorship deal

In what must be one of the first decisions of its kind, Bolton Wanderers have quickly dropped a sponsorship deal with a pay day loan company after protests from fans and local politicians. They had satisfied themselves that QuickQuid were regulated and responsible, but said they did not want to damage relationships with the local community for commercial reasons.

New sponsor for Sunderland

Sunderland AFC has announced that BFS Group Limited will become the club’s new principal partner from season 2013-14. BFS Group is the main UK operation of The Bidvest Group Limited, which is headquartered in South Africa will replace Invest in Africa as the team’s main shirt sponsor.

The Bidvest Group is a global business operating across a range of sectors with over 105,000 employees across four continents. It also operates the largest global foodservice business outside North America and has significant presence in the UK market.

Big kit deal for Arsenal

Arsenal are set to sign the biggest kit deal in English football with Puma as they bring to an end their 20-year association with Nike at the end of next season. A number of improved commercial deals for Arsenal are in the offing.

The five-year deal with the German sportswear manufacturer is reported to be worth as much as £170m – more than £30m a year That’s even more than sponsors Emirates pay to have their logo on the Arsenal shirts, and will give Arsene Wenger, or his successor, extra financial clout in the transfer market.

Cheap shirts deal for Pompey fans

Portsmouth fans and staff have signed a £10,000 deal with new replica kit partner Sondico. The cheque – which will be used to purchase 10 community shares – was the first instalment of revenue from the ‘In Pompey We Trust’ commemorative t-shirt campaign which has gone down well with fans.

Swans seek to upgrade their shirt sponsors

On the back of their recent success, Swansea City are seeking to upgrade their shirt sponsors.   Their contract with online betting company 32Red has been terminated after four years with one year to run. The parting of the ways has been amicable with 32Red receiving a £950,000 windfall.

Amex shirt sponsorship deal for Seagulls

Brighton and Hove Albion have secured a new multi-year shirt sponsorship deal with American Express. Their UK headquarters is in Brighton and they already have the naming rights to the club’s new stadium where the Seagulls have been attracting record crowds after their years at the unsuitable Withdean Stadium.