Member Article

Manchester United extend Apollo Tyres deal and unveil new Old Trafford pitch

Apollo Tyres and Manchester United have extended their commercial partnership, marked with the launch of a new facility, providing local youngsters an opportunity to play football within the shadow of the club’s Old Trafford stadium.

The ‘Go the Distance’ pitch was opened by former United stars Denis Irwin and Andy Cole.

It was created from recycled rubber using approximately 2,200 tyres, and is positioned adjacent to the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand.

Apollo Tyres Ltd chief marketing officer Marco Paracciani said: “Sustainability is a key element of our philosophy and we have found an innovative way to use recycled rubber while, at the same time, making a long-term investment for the benefit of the local community.

“All of us at Apollo Tyres are hugely proud of this initiative and it is only apt that we are launching our first state-of-the-art pitch at no other place but the Theatre of Dreams.”

The pitch, constructed using roughly 10 tonnes of rubber, incorporates key performance aspects of the Apollo Tyres products - control, agility and accuracy.

Denis Irwin said: “I wish I had this growing up in Cork. We just had green fields - simple as that. We’d put down a couple of jerseys and play a game of football.

“This facility is right under the shadow of Manchester United and, if that doesn’t inspire young kids to try to play football, I don’t think anything will.”

Andy Cole added: “To have something like this is unbelievable. When I was growing up as a kid, concrete was our best thing to play football on.

“We totally enjoyed it, but if you’ve got something like this now, it can only make you become a better player - if you work as hard as you can.”

Apollo Tyres and United have confirmed their extended partnership across Europe, Asia and Africa. Under this agreement, Apollo now becomes the club’s official tyre partner in 69 countries across the globe.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .