Member Article

Bingley footballers aim high after netting sponsorship deal

A West Yorkshire environmental company has extended its programme of community support by backing a town’s football team in its bid to reach new heights.

Leo Group, the recycling specialists which owns Omega Proteins in Thornton, Bradford, has renewed its sponsorship deal with Bingley Town FC.

The club, which recently merged with Bingley Juniors AFC, currently plays in the Craven & District League Division 1. Bingley Juniors AFC has boys’ and girls’ sides from under 5s right through to under 18s.

Andy Ryan, club secretary of Bingley Town FC, said:“We would like to thank Leo Group for its continued sponsorship which has allowed us to purchase new, good quality kits for the team.”

“Sponsorship enables us to use our limited funds in other areas such as equipment and facilities. Collectively this helps in retaining and attracting new players, whilst also helping the club to grow and keep improving!”

The clubs, which has been affiliated for the past two seasons, officially merged this season which has cemented the relationship. Through the support and continued effort from management, players and sponsors, the club has been able to demonstrate the right image and credentials to achieve this merger. In doing so, the club has become the open age outlet for young players in Bingley and the surrounding areas.

The merger also enabled the club to launch a new Under 21 team and has plans for a new reserve team for the 2015/2016 season.

Mr Ryan continued: “Our aim is to bring players through the system and into open age football, increasing its reputation in the region and aiming one day to reach the county amateur leagues and beyond. Companies like the Leo Group are the club’s lifeblood and through their support and sponsorship play an important role in helping us to achieve our goals.”

The Leo Group, which employs more than 400 people across its ten operational sites in Great Britain and Northern Ireland, is at the forefront of the recycling and green energy sectors.

Leo Group’s PR and Communications Manager, Melanie Rosser, said: “We are delighted to see the progress that Bingley Town FC has made, with our continued support we hope the team will continue go from strength-to-strength.”

“This sponsorship is over and above the contribution we make to many local grassroots organisations through our Community Fund and forms an extension of the company’s commitment to supporting the communities in which we operate.”

The company has donated more than £250,000 to good causes over the past two years. In addition to sponsorships and specific fundraising events, like the Clarion Corporate Challenge Leeds 10k, its Community Fund – that supports charities and grassroots organisations across the area, particularly those that benefit children - has made a key contribution to this figure.

The Leo Group Community Fund was set up in 2011 with the aim of supporting a host of good causes that benefit children, particularly those involved in sporting activities, educational projects, cultural and environmental initiatives as well as schemes that aim to banish isolation.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Melanie Rosser .