Stanley sign up backer for new family stand
JON MACPHERSON
ACCRINGTON Stanley are celebrating a double boost after plans were rubber-stamped for a new training ground and the club secured a sponsorship deal for their new family stand.
The training facility will include three full size football pitches, two undersized pitches, changing rooms, showers and a car park.
The proposals were approved by Ribble Valley Borough Council, subject to further reports and conditions, and the training ground will be built on fields off Whalley Road in Read.
Club owner Andy Holt said it is a ‘big boost’ for the Reds ahead of their League One campaign.
Manager John Coleman said: “I am delighted, it shows we are heading in the right direction. We won’t have it yet but it bodes well for the future.”
The League Two champions have also agreed a three-year deal with Accrington-based firm Studio (Express Gifts Ltd) to sponsor their new family stand at the Wham Stadium. The £1.5 million stand is set to be completed by November this year and Studio announced the deal at a recent business meeting.
Paul Kendrick, managing director at Studio, said: “We are really excited to be sponsoring the family stand at the football club, it’ll be fabulous.
“The club are doing amazingly well at the moment and to be able to support the club and the community is really important.
“Our primary aim with regards to this sponsorship is to engage with the local community – to show them that we are supportive of redevelopment within borough. We can’t wait to see the finished family stand.”
Andy Holt thanked the firm for their support, saying: “Any support is welcome, of course, but it’s always that little bit more special when it comes from local businesses.
“We hope that the new stand will encourage more visitors and will, in turn, increase footfall in Accrington. It’s all about supporting one another, businesses coming together, engaging with the community and working together for the good of the town.”
Daniel Bowerbank, Stanley commercial manager, said they want to use the new stand to encourage more families to watch the Reds. He said: “We are delighted as a club that our new family stand sponsor is yet another local community business who is, once again, proud to be supporting their local club.”