A GROUP of dads who formed a football team for ‘a bit of fun’ are targeting another league title win in style thanks to the support of a new IT division at a Wrexham copier firm.
Wrexham, Rawson IT Services proud to sponsor Spartan Warrior FC
Craig Davie (Rawson IT Sevices MD), with Back : Mark Ross, Graham Butler, Adam Jones and Simon Jones. Front Ben Bradley, Josh Phillips and Carl Wilson
Spartan Warriors FC are sponsored by Rawson Digital’s new firm, Rawson IT Services, based next door to the company’s existing offices in The Bridge Business Centre on Wrexham Industrial Estate.
The new firm, which provides an IT support, consultancy, security and cloud service to new and existing customers, has stumped up the cash to buy the six-a-side team a brand new strip.
The team was formed four years ago by father-of-three Ben Bradley, a senior photocopier engineer at Rawson Digital, who wanted to find a way of socialising with his friends once the children had gone to bed, and to also regain some fitness.
In 2017, what had initially meant to be just a bit of fun turned into a title success as the team won their local villages FA affiliated Soccersixes league held at Cefn Druids AFC.
Now Spartan Warriors are competing in Wrexham’s Premiership Soccersixes league at Morgan Llwyd Leisure and Activity Centre, and having previously finished third and second in the division, they hope to go all the way this season and be crowned champions in their new kit.
Ben, who lives in Johnstown, Wrexham, said: “The sponsorship runs through the season and Rawson IT Services has kindly paid for the new kit and supplies our balls and training equipment whenever it’s needed.
“It’s a brilliant help to our team and the lads fully appreciate it.”
Managing Director of Rawson IT Services, Craig Davies, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to sponsor Spartan Warriors FC and to have our new business division, Rawson IT Services, on the front of their new strip.
“I know Vaughn has been a keen supporter of the team ever since Ben first approached him about helping out with sponsorship.
“He has been hugely impressed by how well they have done since they formed and was delighted to provide the money for the new kit and equipment.
“Ben speaks so passionately about the team and what they’ve achieved so far, and we saw this as a great opportunity to let more people know about our IT division, which we believe will be a big success, and to also lend our support to a brilliant local football team.
“I’d like to wish Spartan Warriors the best of luck for the rest of the season and hopefully they can go one step further this time and bring the league title home.”
Although the team was initially set up to have fun, the nine-man squad are desperate to lift another trophy after their league title success two years ago.
Ben, whose children are Kieran, 15, Alisha 10 and one year old Louie Jack, said:
“After winning the local villages Soccersixes league at Cefn Druids’ site, we then moved in to Wrexham’s Premiership Soccersixes league which hosts 12 teams.
“We came third in our first season and then last season we finished second just two points off first!
“This season we currently sit third after five games and just two points off the top so our aim is to go one better this time and be champions.
“Although we’ve had runners-up trophies we want the title! That is our target for the season.”
When Ben became a father for the third time last year, combining work, family and football commitments became too much so he handed the team’s managerial reins over to teammate Graham Butler and now acts as an assistant.
Graham, who is also a father of three from Wrexham, is nicknamed ‘The Wardrobe’ due to his huge physical presence on the pitch and is a tough taskmaster when it comes to getting the best out of his players.
The 31-year-old said: “Ben started Spartan Warriors and I couldn’t say no to taking the manager’s seat.
“We have both played from day one with a fantastic group of players. With the help of Rawson IT Services to fly the flag, and keeping a good fitness we have done really well.
“I push the lads to the limit. They all complain how much they ache in work the next day!”
The recent launch of Rawson Digital’s new IT division will create four new jobs.
Founder of the company, Vaughn Rawson, set up his business from home, six years ago. He now leads a 19-strong team and has a second base in Dinorwic Marina, Y Felinheli, near Bangor.
The company supplies and maintains photocopiers, printers, accessories with an aftercare service to firms in North Wales, the North West, further afield in the UK, and the Isle of Man.
For more information about Rawson Digital call 0844 324 5306. Or visit the website www.rawsondigital.co.uk Facebook @RawsonDigitaland Twitter @Rawson_D
To contact Rawson IT Services direct, call 01978 280 198. Website is www.rawsonit.co.uk or Facebook @RawsonIT
