AFC Rushden & Diamonds Programmes V St Andrews 18/01/2014 | Page 7

RUSH V ST ANDREWS PROG 16/1/14 07:24 Page 7 commercialSCENE JOHN GREGORY-COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR Like the rest of the board, I would like to welcome the officials, management, players and supporters of St Andrews FC to the Dog & Duck for today’s exciting FA Carlsberg Vase cup 4th round proper match. We could not have a better occasion to promote grass roots football and the ‘Diamonds’ brand. I thought it a good time for the Commercial side to comment on the season so far; and to demonstrate we are already looking ahead to next season. The final league position in April, and the outcome of our second excellent cup run of the season, will no doubt impact the level of local sponsorship and advertising we can attract. Just imagine if we did reach Wembley and the local interest that would create, even from local radio stations and papers. It would be remiss of me, not to say a big thank you to our main club sponsors EA Sports; whose financial contribution during our first two seasons cannot be underestimated. The arrangement with EA Sports comes to an end in May and we have already started the search for a new main club sponsor. Our gratitude as a board also extends to every business and individual sponsor and advertiser, who has stepped forward this season. Whether it is sponsoring the first team training kit or sponsoring one of our Under 18 players for £30 every contribution is thankfully in tangent with the club. Please contact me anytime at [email protected]. Good leads and introductions cannot be underestimated in terms of the limited time and resources we have; especially during the summer close season. received. We also have a number of businesses who give their services for free or at much reduced rates. These ‘goods-in-kind’ contributions are just as important even though they do not generate income; they do reduce costs and help the bottom line. So thank you to those businesses as well. In the past two seasons we have found sponsors for all our Senior, Academy and Community teams. This enabled 25 teams or more to wear the Diamonds kit; it is a remarkable achievement and great credit to all those who contributed. Our Senior sides have also had sponsored training and match wear kits. We are now deciding kit and sponsorship requirements for all teams for the 2014/15 season. Here is my first plea. I stood up at last year’s AGM and said our members are our best potential salesmen. I must go further and say every fan can, and should be, a salesman for the benefit of the football club. So if you work in business, ask your boss or one of the Directors if they would be willing to be future sponsors of AFC Rushden & Diamonds. The same request goes to those who run their own business and would like to promote that business There has been a good take up of player and match day sponsorship packages this season; these will continue but be part of a detailed price and package review before they go on sale. One of the other main targets is to sell additional perimeter ground advertising like those in front of the Peter de Banke as seen in the picture from last season; of course in addition to increasing programme advertising although this is not always practical due to limited space. The Commercial Team (with three new members) met in the first week of January and is planning a promotional campaign with local businesses in the near future. Finally we will soon announce a Children’s Fun Day at one of the March or April home games. This is part of an ongoing review and programme to make the fans experience at the Dog & Duck for AFC Rushden & Diamonds matches as memorable and enjoyable as possible. That’s enough from me for now. Feel free to gra