New sponsor 'a big deal' for football club

A football club chairman has welcomed the confirmation of a new sponsorship deal with a local company, citing a boost for financial security and as-yet untapped commercial markets.

Hereford FC's home ground will become known as MandM Edgar Street Stadium after the club signed a five-year agreement with the Hereford-based online fashion retailer MandMDirect.

"It's fantastic," said club chairman Chris Ammonds. "We get brilliant support from the local business community and adding MandM to a group of fantastic sponsors is really good."

MandM's chairman Mike Tomkins added that the firm was "incredibly proud" to partner with the club.

"Football is a powerful force in bringing people together," Mr Tomkins said. "We see this sponsorship as a way to give back to the local community that has supported MandM for so many years."

Under the deal, the firm will also become Hereford's official kit supplier, which Mr Ammonds said would give fans a greater choice of replica gear to buy in the club shop - such as training gear and tracksuits.

"One of the big things that we have always had an issue with is trying to get toddler and baby clothing that mirrors replica kits," he said. "Hopefully with MandM we will be able to look at that market.

"There's plenty of parents out there who have already asked that question."

He added the agreement would also give the club some level of financial security.

"It's a really big deal for us," he said.

MandM previously supplied the old Hereford United's kit in the late 90s and early 2000s, which Mr Ammonds described as "a really nice historic link".

"We're a bit geographically challenged in terms of the football world because of where we are located," he said. "So the support from the local community and the local business community is fantastic.

"We're really looking forward to seeing how this relationship develops over the course of the next five years."

As for Hereford's performance on the field, Mr Ammonds said he was still "a bit flat" after the side's home defeat to Scunthorpe on Saturday meant they missed out on a promotion play-off spot, but his "overarching feeling" was one of pride.

"I'm pleased with how things are going, and we have to look to kick on next year and go at least that one step further," he said.

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