Member Article

Park sponsors first junior team Sir Bobby Robson played for

Langley Park Hotspurs FC has been put in the spotlight with kit sponsorship from the Team Valley branch at Park Electrical Distributors.

The village of Langley Park, Durham holds great nostalgia for the company, it was where its first office opened 28 years ago.

It also has a special place in North East football folklore, as Sir Bobby Robson played for Langley Park juniors in the 1940s. After folding for 20 years it was reformed in 2014 and named Langley Park Hotspurs FC in a ceremony conducted by Sir Bobby’s widow, Lady Elsie.

Park’s wider commitment to sponsoring grassroots football has seen the Durham branch support Durham City AFC and its Teesside branch assist Seaton Carew FC.

Chris Riley, Team Valley branch manager, said: “At Park we are encouraged to support local causes and initiatives and I was delighted when my colleagues backed the sponsorship proposal and provided Langley Park Hotspurs FC with a brand new kit.

“Having joined Park 28 years ago and worked in the very first office, at Langley Park, it was something that I really wanted to get behind.

“I know the club well as my son is in the under-16 squad, which plays in the Russell Foster premier league. However, for a 20 year period the team folded and youngsters had to head elsewhere to get a game.

“It is fantastic that Park has offered its support, not just to Langley Park Hostpurs FC, but to a number of other North East football teams. The clubs provide an opportunity for youngsters to learn new skills, create friendships and keep active in a sport they love.”

Graham Jones, chairman at Langley Park Hotspurs FC, said: “We are delighted that Park is sponsoring the under-16 team. It is great to see a local company step up and offer support.

“As we are a small club we miss out on grassroots funding. We have an under-12 team, two under-14 teams an under-16 and under-17 team.

“Langley Park Hotspurs FC is a community club and our goal is to provide youngsters with a sport that they are passionate about within an increasingly digital era.”

Established in 1990 by managing director, Barry Wilkinson, Park has a £25 million turnover, with branches in Newcastle, Gateshead, Sunderland and Teesside and opened its fifth branch in Durham last year.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Park Electrical Distributors .