Shorts: Bournemouth, Efl, Gills

AFC Bournemouth has announced its first product range in collaboration with club owner, actor, director, and producer Michael B. Jordan.

Two special edition kits have been designed in the club’s traditional red and black colours, with a interlocking cherry pattern throughout. An exclusive MBJ x AFCB tag will feature on the range to signify the collaboration with Michael, as well as his stamp of Outlier Society Ventures, his venture arm.

The kits will be seen on the pitch during the club’s Bourne In The USA preseason tour of California.

Michael, who is a minority owner in the Bill Foley-led group that acquired AFC Bournemouth in December 2022, said, “Having the opportunity to design a kit has been a project I have been excited to work on since joining the club, and I can’t wait to see them out on the pitch this week. These are exciting times for Cherries fans and I’m looking forward to see what this season brings.”

AFC Bournemouth owner and chairman Bill Foley, added, “It has been great for us to lean into our Cherries identity a little more with this opportunity. We’ve been able to draw on what is a unique aspect of our club and I’m very pleased with how the kits look. Michael’s passion for the design process has shone through and I thank him for his time and energy in creating the range. I’m looking forward to our supporters seeing it too.”

The EFL, in partnership with Genius Sports, has officially launched ‘Fantasy EFL’, the league’s first-ever 72-club fantasy football game to involve all member clubs across the three Sky Bet EFL divisions.

First teased at the 2023/24 Sky Bet EFL Play-Off Finals, Fantasy EFL will be free to play and available on web, and as a brand-new app for iOS and Android users.

EFL Chief Executive, Trevor Birch, said,“We’re very excited to bring the EFL’s first fantasy football game to life as a central product that engages not only with supporters of all 72 EFL Clubs, but also the wider football audience.

“We’ve interrogated research into what fans would want out of an EFL fantasy football game and been strategic on a providing a product that isn’t just a copy of what is already in the market.

“Fantasy EFL is a premium product that enhances the EFL brand and opens further opportunities with our broadcasters and commercial partners. Alongside Genius Sports, Fantasy EFL appeals to both the avid and casual fan and will expand the rising interest in the Sky Bet EFL, our Clubs and their players beyond fans who attend matches and those who watch along at home.”

Genius Sports Chief Partnerships Officer, Steven Burton, added, “Fantasy EFL is unique, interactive, and fun and Genius Sports is delighted to deliver this exciting new game for the EFL and its Member Clubs.

“This new game will test fans’ knowledge of both teams and individual players while providing them with a platform to compete with their friends and family every week.”

Gillingham FC has announced the return of MEMS Power Generation as the EFL League Two football club’s official main sponsor. 

The new long-term sponsorship deal, commencing this month, will see the MEMS logo displayed at Priestfield Stadium, which will become known as ‘MEMS Priestfield Stadium’ with immediate effect.

Colin Jarvis, Chairman of MEMS Power Generation and a lifelong supporter of Gillingham FC, said, “We are delighted to be supporting Gillingham Football Club once again and look forward to being part of the club’s continued rise. Our history with Gillingham is filled with memorable moments, and we are eager to create new ones together.”

Brad Galinson, Chairman of Gillingham Football Club, added, “When you can consider one of the longest standing and most significant Gillingham FC sponsors as a friend, and be able to welcome him back home, you know that you are doing something right.   

“It is my sincere pleasure and honour to announce MEMS as our Main Sponsor. Everything seems right again at Gillingham.”

Fan-to-Fan ticket resale marketplace Twickets has partnered with personal safeguarding app Help Me Angela.

Twickets and Help Me Angela will be promoting the partnership to live entertainment and sports fans over the summer using travel safety tips and advice from Help Me Angela’s personal safety experts.

Richard Davies, Founder of Twickets, commented, “Twickets was created to provide a safe place for fans to buy resale tickets and to avoid being scammed by touts. This new partnership enables us to extend and provide that protection to our community as they attend events over the summer. Summer is the busiest time of the year for events and we are delighted to launch this partnership to anyone attending a live experience who is concerned about their own safety or that of their family or friends.”