Brunel University London is delighted to announce that it has become Wealdstone Football Club’s new front-of-shirt sponsor, and has made history as the club’s biggest-ever commercial sponsor. The local partnership was made official during a formal contract signing on Brunel’s campus yesterday, with the university’s Vice-Chancellor signing on the dotted line.
Wealdstone’s Chairman Rory Fitzgerald and Chief Operating Officer Richard Hopwood witnessed the signing, and Brunel is now a premium sponsor of the West London club.
With Wealdstone FC based at The Grosvenor Vale Stadium in Ruislip and Brunel University London down the road in Uxbridge, the partnership is local to the London Borough of Hillingdon.
Wealdstone is the highest-placed part-time football team in the country, playing in the Vanarama National League, and has ambitious plans to become full time in the near future. Brunel will feature on the front of the club’s home and away kits for the next three seasons.
Wealdstone FC’s new home shirt. © Darren Campbell
Over the last 12 months, the relationship between the two organisations has gained momentum, with Brunel Business School and Brunel Hive – which connects high-impact academic research with high-growth businesses – supporting the club on a project to enhance and transform their organisation.
A substantial number of Brunel volunteers have helped out on match days, and Brunel student interns have worked with Wealdstone over the summer months.
The partnership is a positive move for the borough, and Professor Andrew Jones, Brunel’s Vice-Chancellor and President, is thrilled that the University has become the club’s newest sponsor.
“The local partnership shows our commitment to sharing our expertise, talent and resources with the borough to enhance the local area,” he said.
“Brunel will be central to the future of the club’s training plans by providing our Sports Park and training facilities to support Wealdstone’s first team and academy in nurturing the next generation of players.”
Wealdstone’s Chairman Rory Fitzgerald said: “We are pleased and excited to welcome Brunel University London as our new front-of-shirt partner as we continue our exciting journey in the National League. A partnership such as this will play a significant role in helping us to compete in the National League, fulfil our ambitions of turning full time and building our new stadium.
“There have been a number of areas where the club and University have already been collaborating, most noticeably at our growing academy based at the University’s Sports Park along with our Under-23s. The club has actively been engaged with Brunel Hive, the business growth and engagement platform at Brunel Business School, and many supporters will have seen Brunel’s student volunteers who have been supporting the club’s operations on matchday. With collaboration on the new stadium development also a possibility, we look forward to growing our relationship still further in the next three years and beyond.”
Wealdstone FC’s new home shirt, with Brunel University London as its new front-of-shirt sponsor. Front, left to right: Wealdstone’s Chairman Rory Fitzgerald, Brunel’s Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Andrew Jones. Back, left to right: Brunel’s Pro Vice-Chancellor for Enterprise and Employment Professor Geoff Rodgers, Wealdstone’s Chief Operating Officer Richard Hopwood. © Darren Campbell
Reported by:
Nadine Palmer,
Media Relations
+44 (0)1895 267090
nadine.palmer@brunel.ac.uk