Stirling Albion Supporters Trust
Statement following recent press coverage and the response from the SFA
At our launch on 6th May we proposed that we explore all avenues to secure the long term future for Stirling Albion Football Club. One of these options was to look at innovative fundraising ways such as stadium and team sponsorship naming rights. As we have reported in the press on several occasions we have had discussions with three blue chip companies who have all expressed an interest in working with us.
It was a surprise to be contacted by The Daily Record who had information on one of the brands we had been in discussions with. Given that they had the information it was decided that we were best served to use the publicity it generated to aid the campaign and to continue to get our message out. Given that the brand involved has a multi award winning advertising campaign it would have been foolhardy to have ignored this opportunity. The publicity generated has again got us huge profile at a time when the campaign needed it.
What we did do before we spoke to any companies was give both the SFL & SFA the courtesy of knowing in advance that this method of sponsorship would be part of our fundraising plans. As we stated on 6th May, at our launch, all deals of this nature would have to be sanctioned by The League Management Committee of the Scottish Football League and The Scottish Football Association which is only right and proper. It was our view, and remains the view of the campaign team, that if in future these bodies faced a choice between approving a temporary name change and seeing one of their member clubs disappear forever, they would give serious consideration to our form of sponsorship. Our view is partly based on the precedents set around the world where this type of commercial arrangement exists. e.g. Red Bull Salzburg in Austria, FC Carl Zeiss AG in Germany or Cruz Azul who play in the Mexican League.
What we have done is ignite a debate about naming rights which has shown that our Supporters Trust are not only serious about saving the club but also that our passion to save our club for the long term is backed up with innovation and imagination which challenges the status quo of the current Scottish Football landscape. We are sure that this debate will continue at our meeting at the King Robert Hotel on 31st January, 7pm, so please make sure you are there.
Ends
For more information on the Stirling Albion Supporters Trust and the BuyStirlingAlbion campaign please contact Paul Goodwin on 07702252519
