Member Article

Companies display team spirit to support National Football Museum’s key event

North West businesses hare among thiose to have sealed sponsorship deals supporting the induction of nine soccer legends into the National Football Museum’s Hall of Fame.

The annual awards ceremony will be hosted at its Manchester home on 16th October with some of the game’s biggest names in attendance including Alan Shearer, Michael Owen and Trevor Francis.

The museum says that companies “have been quick to show their support” and be involved in honouring former players who have graced the national game.

Businesses that have secured sponsorship deals include Lead Sponsor the Professional Footballer’s Association, which has its headquarters in Manchester, as well as The Football Association, Singha Beer and Preston-based Conlon Construction.

Gordon Tayor OBE, Chief Executive at the Professional Footballer’s Association said: “We are proud to once again support the National Football Museum’s Hall of Fame. We have supported this event since its inception in 2002; it is unique in ensuring the great names of the past are not forgotten.”

Peter Ackerley, Senior National Game Development Manager at The Football Association, sponsoring Sylvia Gore and Matt Dimbylow’s inauguration said: “The Hall of Fame recognises the achievements of football at all levels of the game, and this year we are delighted to support the induction of pioneering women’s footballer Sylvia Gore, and of Paralympian Matt Dimbylow.”

Jaturon Zane Himathongkom, International Sports Marketing Director at Singha Beer, the event drinks sponsor said: “We are delighted to be involved with the Hall of Fame for the second year running. This is a fantastic event, providing a great evening of memories for both inductees and guests.”

Michael Conlon, Chairman at Conlon Construction, sponsoring the induction of the Preston Invincibles said: “The heritage of football is so important and we are extremely proud to be sponsoring this year’s award to one of the greatest ever teams, the Preston Invincibles.”

2014’s intake of ‘Hall of Famers’ include Michael Owen – former Liverpool and Real Madrid striker, Alan Shearer – the Premier League’s all-time top goalscorer, Patrick Viera – the explosive ex-Arsenal captain, and Jimmy McIlroy – the Burnley and Stoke City legend.

They’ll also be joined by Britain’s first million pound man Trevor Francis, captain of the England Cerebral Palsy team Matt Dimbylow as well as Sylvia Gore MBE, a pioneer of women’s football, and Hughie Gallacher, the Scottish goalscoring phenomenon of the 1920s and 30s.

Two special awards are also set to be made, the first, to mark the 1914 World War One centenary, will go to The Football Battalion, a group of professional footballers and fans who fought in the Battle of the Somme.

The other award will go to the Preston North End team know as ‘The Invincibles’, who were the first team to win the world’s first Football League competition, remaining unbeaten all season.

Previous inductees include Sir Alex Ferguson, Alan Ball, Gordon Banks, Cliff Bastin, Jimmy Greaves and Sir Tom Finney, whose achievements are already celebrated on the museum’s Hall of Fame wall.

Inductees have been chosen by a panel featuring some of the biggest names in football including the Museum’s President Sir Bobby Charlton, Vice President Sir Alex Ferguson, Gordon Taylor and Mark Lawrenson.

They must have finished their playing career or be aged over 30 and have played or managed in England for at least five years to qualify for Hall of Fame nomination.

National Football Museum’s Commercial & Operations Director Kevin Haygarth said: “We are delighted to welcome these big name sponsors on board and very grateful to the PFA for their continued support of the event. The calibre of these sponsors reflects the prestige of the event and the memorable evening that awaits them.”

The National Football Museum provides a world-class home for the greatest collection of football memorabilia ever assembled, in addition to housing its nationally-recognised Hall of Fame in Manchester.

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