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Merseyrail extend stadium
sponsorship
MERSEYRAIL and Southport Football Club
are renewing stadium sponsorship following the deal that was first struck 4 year
ago. This makes the Merseyrail and Southport FC alliance one of the longest
standing partnerships in English football.
Jan Chaudhry van der Velde, Merseyrail's managing director, said:- "After
4 very successful years during which the 2 organisations collaborated on a vast
array of community projects, we are keen to continue our sponsorship arrangement
with Southport Football Club. Merseyrail is committed to supporting the
communities we serve, and we have been very impressed by the dedication and
enthusiasm that the club has shown in its work with local people and
organisations."
The initial sponsorship in 2012 involved renaming the Haig Avenue ground the
Merseyrail Community Stadium and put a strong emphasis on community engagement.
Since then, the club has done lots of work with people of various ages and
backgrounds in the area, holding a wide range of events at the stadium, from
baby ballet to the award winning Merseycare / NHS Thanks for the Memories
initiative for older people suffering memory problems. As part of the new
arrangement, the stadium will keep the Merseyrail name and the club will
continue to prioritise social cohesion. Merseyrail takes its own community work
very seriously, and since the start of the concession in 2003, staff have raised
more than £700,000 for local charities, mainly through our charity of the year
initiative. Almost two third of our stations have been station adopted, meaning
that local volunteers give their time to make them more pleasant, welcoming
environments. We have created a musical platform for young people, called the
Merseyrail Sound Station, and along with Bootle Football Club, have set up
football teams for women and girls.
Southport Football Club chairman, Charlie Clapham MBE, stated:-
"Continuing to have Merseyrail as a prestigious community partner, and
sponsoring our stadia for 4 more years is a fantastic recognition of our club's
community involvement, and this has given us all a major boost. We have built up
excellent relationships with Merseyrail directors, management and staff and will
continue to do so. The next four years will be very exciting for Southport
Football Club on and off the pitch, with Merseyrail committed to our community
delivery and partnerships."
Community director, Haydn Preece, concluded:-
"Southport Football Club is very proud to continue to have our stadium named the
Merseyrail Community Stadium for the next 4 years." |
