Shorts: West Brom, Dundee United, Sale Sharks

English Football League (EFL) Championship football club West Bromwich Albion FC has partnered with men’s grooming brand BarberBoss.

BarberBoss will become Albion’s official shaving partner and official sleeve sponsor for the 2023/24 season, the Baggies’ first sleeve sponsor in the club’s history.

BarberBoss Company Director, Ray Shi, said, “We are immensely thrilled to be partnering with West Bromwich Albion for the 2023/24 season.

“This collaboration embodies our shared commitment to excellence and innovation.

“As a Birmingham-based brand, the unity with such a renowned football club from our own backyard is especially poignant.

“It’s a fusion of two entities that stand for passion, drive, and community. We eagerly look forward to the synergy this partnership brings, and are confident that together, we’ll create memorable moments both on and off the pitch.” 

Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) football club Dundee United has partnered with Molson Coors Beverage Company, which will see Carling remain as the club’s official beer partner.

As the partnership enters its seventh season, Carling branding will continue to appear across the 14,000-capacity stadium Tannadice Park for at least the next two seasons.

Carling will also benefit from exclusive naming rights to both the West Stand and the George Fox Lounge.

Dundee United’s Head of Commercial and Sponsorship, Elliot Shaw, commented, “We are delighted to have extended terms with Molson Coors. They have been committed supporters of the club and their beers are a real favourite with our fans across our different lounges on a matchday. The introduction of the Carling Lounge will add value to our hospitality experience and we are excited to develop the partnership with Molson Coors over the next two seasons”.

Lee Willett, Carling Brand Director at Molson Coors Beverage Company, added, “Football is at the heart of what Carling is all about and we’re immensely excited to be extending our partnership with Dundee United for a further two years.”

Brentford FC’s Gtech Community Stadium is set to host one of international football’s oldest rivalries with New Zealand and Australia facing each other in London next month.

The two sides, which first met in 1922, will go head-to-head on Tuesday 17^th October at the 17,250-capacity Premier League ground.

On the line will be the Soccer Ashes, a football trophy inspired by cricket’s iconic tournament.

New Zealand Football Chief Executive Andrew Pragnell, said, “Since the Soccer Ashes trophy was rediscovered, locking in a game against Australia to play for them was a top priority.

“This trophy represents not just the shared footballing history of our two countries but also the shared history of our two nations in general, so it will be a special occasion to see it competed for.”

Gallagher Premiership rugby union club Sale Sharks has appointed former prop Paul Smith as its new Chief Executive Officer.

Smith joined the Sharks Colts team at the age of 18 and played more than 150 games for Sale between 1988 and 2000, many alongside twin brother Andrew.

He has since become the club’s Operations Manager, then Operations Director and, most recently, interim CEO.

Smith, commented, “It’s a massive honour to be given this role and I want to thank Simon, Michelle and Ged for putting their faith in me. If you’d have told me as an 18-year-old making my debut that this is where I would be 36 years later I wouldn’t have believed it.

“First and foremost, I’m a Sharks fan and I’ve devoted most of my life to this brilliant club. I’m really excited now to have this opportunity to drive it forward and make sure we achieve our potential on and off the pitch.

“We want to grow the club, grow the crowds and get the Salford Stadium bouncing every week. We’ve got everything going for us here and last season gave us a glimpse of what we can achieve together.

“Now the challenge is to keep pushing for continued improvements throughout the club both on the field and commercially, and to keep driving a club the fans can continue to be proud of.”