Newfound sponsorships strengthen Scottish football

By Sam Brown

Scottish football has welcomed a new round of sponsorships from three Scottish businesses after a particularly challenging pandemic financially.

A handful of local Scottish businesses have pledged their support for the South Region Challenge Cup, a welcome influx of cash for the grass-roots football league. This new sponsorship comes at a vital time, and the funding will support the teams and the community causes they rally behind. 

The first Scottish business to step forward and offer their financial support was Glasgow radiator company Trade Radiators. We decided to reach out to the managing director of Trade Radiators to see what he had to say about supporting the Cup: “We are delighted to sponsor the Cup and show our commitment to local football.

“Sport brings people from different backgrounds and with different abilities together and is an important part of our national heritage.”

It is proving that this newfound support is going a long way to assisting the Cup and supporting local teams. The Cup Competition Secretary was also approached for comment: “It has been a pleasure to secure sponsors from Scottish businesses for this year’s Cup.

“It is an honour to accept their sponsorship, and we greatly appreciate their support for the Cup and all its teams.”

Sponsorship and football have always gone hand in hand, but this crucial part of football is hugely important to non-league teams playing at tier five, six, and seven. Unlike the more popular teams and higher tier leagues, teams and Cups at lower leagues don’t get the broadcast coverage that can lead to massive sponsors. That isn’t to say the football at these tiers is any less exciting!

To this end, these three Scottish businesses stepping up to the plate to offer their support is appreciated by many – fans and players alike.

The fans are ready and braced for the South Region Challenge Cup’s 15th year, with a lot of anticipation for what’s to come post-lockdown restrictions. Much of this anticipation comes from the addition of 20 new teams competing this year to bring the total competing teams up to 162 for the 2021/22 season. Not to mention the defending champions, Dunipace, have already been knocked out in Round Two back in October 2021 by Sauchie Juniors.

All these developments for the Cup seem to have attracted the attention of other Scottish businesses willing to pledge their support.

This second sponsor comes from the digital marketing agency Boyd Digital. Based in Glasgow, Boyd Digital is led by Colin Boyd and Grant Ruxton. We reached out to Mr Ruxton, the Managing Director, to see what he had to say about Boyd Digital’s support for the Cup:

“We are delighted to be able to support the Cup. It’s great to see more teams taking part than ever before.

“It’s already an exciting year for the Cup and all the teams involved. As much as I am a football fan, I think there is another aspect to the sponsorship that is worth mentioning. Many local teams are a very important part of the community. People in rural areas often gather for matches, and teams are often involved in charity work.

“I don’t think my responsibility as a businessman stops at my office door. As a business, we need to help communities and good causes.”

Not long after Boyd Digital joined the sponsorship rally this season, Ardrossan-based Club Snoods quickly signed over their support. They are a very fitting sponsor as a company that trades in custom snoods, often with football insignias and club colours. 

That isn’t to mention how the current season is getting exciting, with or without new sponsors. 

In the first week of March, the Cumbernauld Colts were defeated by Bonnyrigg Rose, five to nil. This came after a long wait and a flurry of matches being postponed in February. It was after the fourth goal that it was abundantly clear what way this game was going with Bonnyrigg Rose fans raising the stands. The fifth goal was the final nail in the coffin.

After the match, we decided to have a chat with David Stewart, a Bonnyrigg supporter, to see what he thought of the match and the new sponsorship deals, “That was fantastic football in action. I was absolutely delighted. People don’t realise what they are missing by not coming to a game of their local team.

“There was no sign of the Cumbernauld Colts defence, and I’m not sure they even turned up for the game.

“The lower leagues allow us to experience fantastic football up close. Without sponsorship, we wouldn’t be able to do as many activities as we would like to do.”

Here are the much-anticipated matches for the upcoming diet to finish round four:

• Linlithgow Rose VS Sauchie juniors (22nd March, 19:45)
• Dundonald Bluebell VS Bonnyrigg Rose (23rd March, 19:30)
• Bo’ness United VS Petershill (23rd March, 19:45)

With lockdown eased, it is predicted that fans will be out in droves to support their locals!

Author Bio

George Luke is a professional Content writer & Content Marketer. Based in Canada, is an author and blogger with experience in encounter composing on various topics including but not limited to Sports, Technology, Food, Marketing/Advertising, Lifestyle and beauty etc.