Wrexham AFC have clinched a two-year sponsorship deal – with the help of their women’s team.
Unveiling of Wrexham AFC’s new kit with Ifor Williams Trailers; Pictured are Hannah Jones from IWT and Wrexham player Shaun Pearson with (Back L/R) Jack Thorn, Kim Dutton and Matthew Sargent. Picture Mandy Jones
The club have signed a new agreement with long-term sponsors Ifor William Trailers for their distinctive logo to be on the front of all their home and away shirts until 2021.
According to the iconic trailer firm, the club’s inclusive approach was a key factor in their decision, along with the success of the new women’s team which is having a storming first season in the North Wales Women’s League.
They are on the brink of possible promotion to Division 1 with one league game left to go. They have already won the league cup and are in the final of the Supplementary Cup against Amlwch next Wednesday evening at Rhyl FC.
The new home strip was unveiled in the shadow of the colliery wheel memorial which commemorates the Gresford Colliery disaster in 1934 when an explosion and underground fire killed 266 men.
Many of the miners were Wrexham fans and the colliery wheel was pictured on the front of the shirt during the club’s 150th anniversary season.
Today’s loyal fans include descendants of the victims and they will also be cheering on the men’s team in the hope they can achieve the holy grail of promotion back into the football league next year after narrowly missing out this time.
Commercial director Geoff Scott said it was important that the club stayed true to its heritage and felt the partnership with Ifor Williams Trailers, which started in 2016, was the perfect fit because their community spirt matched their own ethos as a club which was owned and run by the fans.
Geoff said: “We have an excellent working relationship and it suited us both to extend the agreement for a further two years.
“Ifor Williams Trailers is an iconic, globally-known brand and our partnership sends out a message about what we both stand for.”
It was a sentiment echoed by Hannah Jones, Lead Project Co-Ordinator of the Director-led, Change Management team at Ifor Williams Trailers.
She said: “One of surprising outcomes of our sponsorship of Wrexham, has been the number of employment applicants we have received, as a result of individuals linking our two organisations together.
“I am heavily involved at the moment in our ongoing recruitment drive, to facilitate the planned growth of the business and many applicants mention Wrexham football club during the recruitment process
“Importantly, we also share the same values and it is wonderful to see the women’s team doing so well, especially as it is their first season.
“Their success is remarkable and we are keeping our fingers crossed they can gain promotion and show the way for the men to follow in their footsteps.
“The fact that Wrexham is such an inclusive club, was key element in our decision to continue with our sponsorship.
“One of the stars of the women’s team is 17-year-old Kim Dutton who plays in centre midfield and is preparing to take her A level exams at Coleg Cambria in Wrexham.
She said: “Our first season couldn’t have gone any better really and we’re hopeful of getting a result against Bethesda to gain promotion into Division 1 and hopefully win back to back promotions into the Welsh Premier League.
“I think the new kit sponsored by Ifor Williams Trailers is really smart, I love it. As a Wrexham fan being involved in the unveiling of the new kit is a dream come true. We’re looking forward to wearing it with pride next season.”
Club captain Shaun Pearson, who recently signed a two and a half year contract to keep him at the Racecourse, was delighted with the success of the women’s team and hoped they would inspire the men to achieve the dream of getting back into the football league next season.
He said: “I want to be the one who finally takes the club over the line to the promised land of promotion and it would be nice to be the one lifting the trophy, whether as play off final winners or league winners.
“The club is in a good position to give it a crack again next season, the crowds are getting bigger, the team’s improving on the pitch and obviously it’s great news that Ifor Williams Trailers are sponsoring us for another two years.
“The women’s team are an inspiration to us. They’re having a fantastic first season because they’ve already won one cup and in the final of another. It’s really pleasing for them and for the whole club.”
