We are delighted to announce that The Exchange 1856 will sponsor the away kit of North Shields FC for the forthcoming season, which started on 27 July.
The man behind the recent transformation of The Exchange 1856, local entrepreneur and community champion, Paul Stonebanks OBE, will also provide business consultancy advice free-of-charge to support the Club’s ambitious plans to improve its facilities, secure commercial agreements, and grow merchandise and ticket sales.
This sponsorship deal marks the latest in a series of exciting developments at the Club.
Close to going into administration earlier this year, North Shields FC appointed a new leadership team in May, headed up by Chairman and leading businessman, Dennis Scarth, alongside Chris Lowther and Lindsay Coulthard. Dennis is the Chairman at North Shields Juniors AFC and immediately linked North Shields FC with the Juniors after a due process with the directors at the junior club.
North Shields Juniors has charitable status and boasts 800 members, aged from 4-18, and 64 football teams. Linking both clubs means NSFC instantly becomes a Step 5 league club, with three-star accreditation, and is now able to unlock grants for improvements such as new dug outs, turnstiles, and improved stands.
The new approach also offers a clear pathway for youngsters to progress from entry level football through to semi-professional football and beyond.
Dennis said: “We are extremely grateful to The Exchange 1856 for providing sponsorship of our away kit. Paul Stonebanks has really bought into our vision to lift the club and, in turn, the local community. This marks the start of our extensive investment plans. The club is desperately in need of improvement and we are now on a mission to create a commercially focussed, sustainable club that will give local people a football legacy to be proud of.”
Paul Stonebanks OBE said: “For me, it’s important businesses have a sustainable foundation, as this provides a platform for more ambitious future plans.
“After meeting Dennis to discuss plans for the Club, I came away feeling that these guys are committed to doing the right things for North Shields FC and I was only too willing to support this great football club.
“As part of this support, we have recently provided sponsorship to both North Shields FC and the Juniors and see this as pivotal to North Shields Football Club’s success.
“I know and played football with and against the manager Brian and his staff so know first-hand that their unwavering commitment and expertise alongside Dennis and the executive team will provide a solid foundation from which to grow a sustainable, community driven business that will provide pathways and inclusion across North Shields and North Tyneside areas.
“My father played for North Shields, and I have lived in North Shields my entire life, so I really know what football brings to the local community.
“Businesses like ours have a social responsibility to support local communities to help drive better community outcomes. We look forward to working alongside the management team to help create better futures for the communities in North Shields and beyond.”
