Scotland’s National Cup Renamed

As part of a two-year sponsorship deal that gave the Scottish government branding rights, Scotland’s national cup competition will this season be called the Active Nation Scottish Cup.

The rebranding is due to a deal signed with businessman Willie Haughey last year, which gave the Scottish government the rights under a contract with the Scottish FA worth £1m per season.

Last year’s trophy was called the Homecoming Scottish Cup, commemorating 250 years after the birth of national icon Robert Burns, in an effort to attract visitors.

As this is the second year of the sponsorship agreement, the renaming will go through for the 2009/2010 season, but there will be no additional money provided to the SFA. Instead, the Scottish government will fund all marketing costs, in an effort to promote healthy living through football messages.

Before Haughey, the former Celtic director, signed on as sponsor, the competition was without a support for 17 months, since brewer Tennent’s ended its 18-year association.