The 2012 season of the Airtricity Premier League kicks off this weekend and with the Republic of Ireland side qualifying for the Euro 2012 Championship finals, soccer could be ready again for a major step up. Shamrock Rovers’ adventure in Europe last season has given them a profile that is ahead of their rivals but Sligo Rovers and others will be looking to give them a run for their money. There are plenty of new faces on the pitch and in the dugout for the new season but we thought it would be worthwhile to have a look at some of the commercial deals that the clubs have signed up for the new season.
Bohemians
Bohs have a lively website with plenty of calls to action. The club is seeking sponsorship for naming rights at Dalymount Stadium and lists multiple sponsors ranging from Dublinbet.com to the Daily Mirror, Bus Eireann and Nivea for Men. The Bohs Business alliance was launched last May and offers a range of benefits for an annual fee of €200. In pre season games the club has worn shirts supporting the Lean on Me initiative promoting good mental health.
Bray Wanderers
Bray have chosen to go down the local community route for sponsorship, promoting the ‘200 club’ which gives an impressive range of benefits from free admission to all games, stadium advertising and networking for a weekly contribution of €12 per week or €600 per year. Sports World, Adidas, Kingstown Motors and Tipperary Water are listed as sponsors.
Cork City
Clonakilty Black Pudding signed up last month as the Premier Club partner for a three year period. Speaking at the announcement, Managing Director Collette Twomey put deal down to the quality, pride, identity and support of the local community as the main reasons for signing up. Umbro are the official kit suppliers, while the Evening Echo and Cork’s 96 FM are listed as media partners.
Derry City
The Candystripes have signed up a number of new retailers in the city through which they will sell club merchandise. The clubs main sponsor is Diamond Corrugated who came on board after long term supporter meteor Electrical became a victim of the recession in 2009. The rise of former player James Maclean has created a real buzz about the club this pre-season.
Drogheda United
Drogheda has the slickest sponsorship promotion material in the League. “United in Business – Sponsorship in a different league’ is the theme and everything from match packages to mascots, players to perimeters is listed in an a la carte format. The United in Business Package groups some of these together at a cost of €2,500, down from €4,000 in 2010. Hunky Dory’s remain the clubs primary sponsor, alongside an extensive list of other partners.
Dundalk
Fyffes were another of the main new sponsors to come on board ahead of the new season. It is good to see an international brand making a local choice and Emma Crewe, the company’s marketing manager said that the relationship was a good one to promote a healthy eating and lifestyle message. The company will also be involved in the new Oriel Active Centre at Oriel Park. Locally based Boylesports are also a sponsor. They are the official betting partner of the FAI.
Monaghan United
Back in the top flight after an absence of ten years, United will stay in the spotlight with manager Roddy Collins at the helm. There is no news yet on a shirt sponsor and the club stadium has reverted to the name of Gortakeegan having previously been one of Ireland’s first ‘named’ stadiums when it was known as Kingspan Century Park.
Shelbourne
Cab 2000 is into the third year of its sponsorship with the club. Nivea for men, Dulux and Eircom are also listed on the website.
Sligo Rovers
New manager in Ian Baraclough, new sponsor in the shape of Connolly’s Volkswagen. The club is looking to progress from its cup exploits towards a serious run at the title. The local dealership is on board for an initial two years. The club also runs a 400 club which costs €240 a year, gives monthly prizes and has delivered over €500,000 since it was inaugurated in 2003.
St Patricks Athletic
Nissan have been involved as the clubs main sponsor since 2010 and Umbro are mid way through a four year deal as the official kit supplier. Inpho Photography, Sandtex Exterior Paints and Hilton Hotels are also listed as partners.
Shamrock Rovers
Reigning Champions and they then signed perhaps the biggest deal of the close season when Seat came on board as the clubs primary sponsor. The announcement was covered in the first issue of Sport for Business Weekly and is one of a range of commercial deals run by the club. Local businesses are accommodated through the Rovers Rewards programme that offers branding, networking and consumer discount packages for an annual fee of €200. There is also a business club and a total of 15 sponsors currently listed on the site. Perhaps the most impressive element is that previous shirt sponsor Woodies DIY are still on board. Success breeds success.
UCD
The University Club is sponsored by O’Neills Soccer who get good value from the extensive number of tournaments and competitions in which the club is involved. The College is also two years into the development of an exciting Elite Athletic Academy, building on the success of the 20 year soccer scholarship programme.
