Simpsons Malt and McCreath, Simpson & Prentice (MSP) have extended their backing to Berwick-upon-Tweed’s largest junior football club, Berwick Juniors, by sponsoring every team in its set-up.
The two-year deal, which begins for the forthcoming 2019/20 season, will see the Simpsons Malt logo on the front and MSP logo on the rear of more than 160 strips across 13 teams: one Under 8s, three Under 9s, one Under 10s, two Under 11s, two Under 12s, two Under 13s and an Under 15s.
It also marks the first time in the 40-year history of Berwick Juniors that all its teams, which also includes a men’s team, Berwick Colts, have been sponsored by the same company.
The junior teams listed above play throughout North East England, stretching as far south as Hexham, Prudhoe and Chester-le-Street, while Berwick Colts ply their trade in the Scottish Borders in the Border Amateur B League. In May 2020, the Simpsons Malt and MSP strips will also travel to Zeewolde in the Netherlands as part of an annual, week-long exchange programme between Berwick Juniors and VV Zeewolde, which has been running for more than 30 years.
Speaking about the sponsorship, Secretary of Berwick Juniors, Sean Jackson, said: “It’s absolutely fantastic and huge for the club to have this level of support. I think it’s good for the town as well that a business the size of Simpsons Malt has such a willingness to give back into junior football.
“We decided two years ago that every team in the club would have the same strip and the next goal after that was to try and get every team to have the same sponsor. Now, thanks to Simpsons Malt and MSP, we have been able to do that, which is a massive step forward for us as a club.”
Simpsons Malt Vice Chairman, Richard Simpson, added: “We are absolutely delighted to be the main kit sponsor for Berwick Juniors over the next two years and help to support a club that is run entirely by hard-working volunteers whose aim is to provide the best possible introduction to the sport for hundreds of local children.
“Many of our staff members had their first taste of playing football through Berwick Juniors and some of the kids playing now may become Simpsons Malt employees of the future. The club is a great asset to the community and I look forward to seeing pictures of the teams lined up in their new Simpsons Malt and MSP kits at the start of the season in September!”
Although not directly affiliated to Berwick Rangers FC, whose ground is located adjacent to the Simpsons Malt site, Berwick Juniors does have very close links with the club and most of the 13 teams play at either Old Shielfield or Ivinson, both of which also have Simpsons Malt as their backdrop.
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