Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Family hockey company scores after buying Scottish rival
A SPORTS retailer in Co Down is to buy a rival Scottish firm for an undisclosed sum in a move which is expected to create new jobs. Mcmurray Sports, which has a shop in Banbridge and operates the Total Hockey website, snapped up the field hockey equipment business of Glasgow-based Gilmour Sports. Ulster Bank backed the six figure deal which will see Mcmurray take on its online store and a physical shop in Dublin. Mcmurray Sports, which also specialises in hockey equipment, is run by brothers Alan and Steven. Through Total Hockey, the company also sells to markets including Japan and the US. It said the focus now will be on growing its business in the UK and European markets, having already proven success across Ireland. Steven from Mcmurray Sports said: “Gilmour Sports is a strong brand with a strong customer-base in Scotland and England, as well as in the Republic of Ireland and elsewhere in Europe. “We are experiencing ongoing organic growth, but we feel that this acquisition will put us in a very strong position in some key markets. “We are very grateful for the backing we have received from Ulster Bank who have supported the family business for many years and have provided us outstanding expertise and assistance.” DJ Wilson, business development manager at Ulster Bank, is confident the business would prove even more successful. He added: “Mcmurray Sports is a long-standing Ulster Bank client that we have been pleased to support over a number of decades. “Alan and Steven’s vision opened up a new opportunity for the company in terms of online sales of hockey equipment and this latest investment will see them further develop that part of the business.”