Shorts: Salford City, M&C Saatchi, The Boat Race
EFL League Two football club Salford City is looking to attract outside investment to help fund its ambition to become a Championship club.
The club, which is part owned by legendary Manchester United players David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Gary and Phil Neville, has claimed it has already received ‘some interest’ in taking an equity investment.
Since the Class of 92 stars first invested in the club a decade ago, along with businessman Peter Lim, it has risen from the Northern Premier League First Division to the English Football League, with average attendances rising from just 140 to about 2,500.
Singaporean Lim – owner of Spanish side Valencia – owns 40% of the club, with the remaining 60% being held by the former Manchester United players.
Nicky Butt, Salford’s Chief Executive, commented, “We are backing Salford City with as much commitment and confidence as ever.
“We have achieved very special things here but there are major opportunities in front of us and we want to make sure we have the right mix of investment and strategic partners to take advantage of those opportunities.
“We had an original 10-year plan and with strong foundations now in place, it was always the intention to explore options for the next phase. That includes potentially bringing in new partners to help us grow the club and best serve the fans and community.”
London-based marketing agency M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment has appointed Conall McAteer as its first ever sport-specific Creative Director.
The move has been described as ‘a new approach to creative leadership designed to put brands at the heart of consumers’ passions in more curated ways.’
M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment Managing Director, Laura Coller, said, “We’re excited to welcome Conall as we evolve our approach away from a more generalist ECD-led structure to one that will see dedicated CDs responsible for each of the passion specialisms within our business.
“Creativity is at the heart of everything we do so having creative leaders who are authorities not only in their craft but also in their passion space is essential as we continue to create culturally astute work that puts brands at the heart of things people love in a way that’s authentic, nuanced and truly valuable to fan communities.”
McAteer joins from We Are Social where he was responsible for work for clients including adidas football, running and Originals, Meta and Tommy Hilfiger, and previously delivered for work including UEFA Women’s Euros, Microsoft x La Liga and AMEX x Wimbledon at Wasserman.
He will report into managing partners Jenny Mitton and Ross Watson who oversee the agency’s sport department.
The Boat Race Company has announced the British Heart Foundation (BHF) as its official charity partner for The Gemini Boat Race 2024.
The charity partnership follows the tragic death of former Chair of The Boat Race Company, Tim Senior, who died of a cardiac arrest in 2023.
The BHF’s presence at The Gemini Boat Race 2024 will include a stand in the Fan Park where visitors will have the chance to demo RevivR, BHF’s free digital tool that teaches you the lifesaving skill, CPR, in 15 minutes, using just a phone or tablet and a cushion.
The heart charity will also have volunteers present along the Championship Course collecting funds.
Chair of the Board of The Boat Race Company, Siobhan Cassidy, said, “Despite the rivalry between the two universities we are all united behind a shared goal; helping British Heart Foundation save lives. Together we can raise vital funds so the charity can continue to fund ground-breaking research and help ensure that everyone is aware of lifesaving CPR and improve survival rates not only in the rowing community but across the whole of the UK.”
The Gemini Boat Race 2024 takes place in Putney on Saturday 30th March – with the Women’s Race starting at 2:46pm and the Men’s Race at 3:46pm.
Former England cricketer Eoin Morgan CBE has been appointed as the new President of the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA).
Morgan, commented, “Having been a PCA member for 19 years, it gives me an overwhelming sense of gratitude and honour to be provided this prestigious opportunity.
“As we navigate through an ever-changing landscape of cricket, the role of the PCA is even more critical. We must ensure that the organisation adapts and innovates to safeguard the evolving needs of our players, to enable them to thrive on and off the field.
“I am also looking forward to supporting the Professional Cricketers’ Trust which has always been close to my heart and will hopefully enable me to give something back to the game.”
