Shorts: Mitre, Southampton FC, The RPA

Mitre has agreed a three-year deal with the Enterprise National League Partnership for the 2025/26 season.

The agreement has covered all 72 clubs competing across the three divisions. It has marked a wider expansion of Mitre’s visibility in the professional tiers of English football, while continuing its presence in grassroots and non-league competitions.

Mitre has already supplied match balls to multiple FA competitions, including the FA Cup, FA Vase and FA Trophy, which have regularly featured teams from the National League system.

To mark the deal, Mitre has produced a bespoke version of its Ultimax ball incorporating the Enterprise National League’s updated brand identity. The design includes 72 individual dots representing each of the clubs involved and incorporates the title sponsor’s branding.

The Ultimax range has been tested to FIFA Quality Pro standard and is used across a number of elite competitions.

Simon Rowe, Senior Vice President of Mitre & Global Sports Marketing at Pentland Brands said, “Partnering with The Enterprise National League marks an important milestone for our brand. It will allow us to significantly increase the number of players in the grassroots and semi-professional English football tiers that get to play with our exceptional Mitre products and experience the elite quality equipment that they deserve. 

“Bringing Mitre and The National League together aligns brilliantly with our Mission to support and champion football at all levels of the game, we can’t wait to kick off the new season with The Enterprise National League and its players.”

Southampton Football Club have confirmed P&O Cruises as their new front-of-shirt sponsor for the Men’s First Team from the 2025/26 season.

This announcement marks an expansion of an existing partnership, following a year where P&O Cruises served as the club’s official sleeve partner and the Title Partner of Saints Foundation, the club’s official charity.

The P&O Cruises logo will now feature on the front of the Men’s First Team’s shirts, including the retail range for both Adults and Kids shirts, as well as the kit worn by the players.

Continuing their partnership, P&O Cruises will also remain on the Women’s First Team’s sleeve and as the Title Partner of Saints Foundation.

Phil Parsons, Southampton Football Club, said, “P&O Cruises has already become an integral part of the Saints family and we are delighted to extend our partnership with such a fantastic company.

“Having P&O Cruises as our new front of shirt partner is a natural and exciting progression that speaks to the values we both hold dear, pride in our city and a belief in the power of community. I’m really looking forward to building on our relationship even further over the coming years.”

The Rugby Players Association (RPA) has appointed Mark Rawlinson as its new Board Chair.

Rawlinson has succeeded Judith Batchelar OBE, who has stepped down after completing a four-year term as Chair. Her departure has marked the conclusion of a period of leadership and service to the organisation.

Rawlinson has had over 30 years of commercial experience as an adviser. From 2016 to 2021, he was Chairman of UK Investment Banking at Morgan Stanley and prior to that, he was a corporate partner for 25 years at international law firm, Freshfields, where he also held senior management positions. He was also an independent member of the Sporting Commission at Premiership Rugby in 2023-24.

Rawlinson is currently a Lead Non-Executive Board Member at the Ministry of Justice, having been appointed in June 2018, with his latest term due to conclude on 3rd March 2026.

Mark Rawlinson, Board Chair, The Rugby Players Association, said, “I am genuinely delighted to be asked to chair the RPA Board. I have always loved the game so value this opportunity to contribute to the RPA.

“The RPA has made great strides in recent years in empowering & protecting the players and I am excited to be working with Ruaridh, Christian, the Board and the wider team as we try to build on the progress made during Judith’s stewardship.”

Sheffield United have agreed a principal partnership deal with online sportsbook Midnite.

Midnite’s logo will feature on the front of Blades shirts for the men’s and women’s adult first teams, training kits and adult replica shirts.

It will also be displayed around Bramall Lane, on home match team sheets, the matchday programme and across the club’s social media channels.

The partnership also includes the Midnite Premium Seat Upgrade, which will see two season ticket holders drawn at random before each men’s home league game receive a premium match experience in the Tony Currie Suite. Midnite and Sheffield United will also collaborate on fan experiences throughout the season.

Midnite was the official betting partner of the 2025 World Snooker Championship, held in Sheffield earlier this year. The partnership will operate in accordance with the Gambling Commission’s codes of practice.

Paul Fielder, Head of Commercial for Sheffield United Football Club, said: “We’re pleased to welcome Midnite as our principal partner for the 2025-26 season. They’ve shown a clear commitment to working with the club and its supporters and we’ve been impressed by their thoughtful and collaborative approach.

“We look forward to developing the partnership over the season and providing Blades fans with some memorable moments along the way.”

Ipswich Town Football Club have announced a new main shirt sponsorship deal with Suffolk-based tech firm Halo Service Solutions.

The sponsorship covers both the men’s and women’s first-team kits and will run for three years.

The company, co-founded by Paul Hamilton, has grown significantly over the past 20 years to become a £1bn software vendor headquartered in Stowmarket.

Halo has previously partnered with McLaren Formula 1 team and snooker’s World Championship, and became Ipswich Town’s sleeve sponsor in 2023.

Birmingham City have appointed Stephen Haines as their new Chief Commercial Officer.

The club has confirmed the appointment, highlighting Haines’ extensive background.

He has brought with him nearly three decades of experience, having led commercial strategy, brand partnerships, and global expansion across various sectors.

His career has included roles at companies. Haines has joined Birmingham City at a pivotal time for the club.

Following their promotion to the Championship, Birmingham City have been accelerating their evolution both on and off the pitch, and Haines’ role is expected to focus on developing new commercial opportunities and revenue streams to support this growth phase.

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