Watford FC Gambles On New Shirt Sponsor
After missing out on a place in the Barclays Premier League at the final hurdle last season, Watford FC is starting afresh in 2013/14 after signing a new deal with online casino 138.com to become the principal partner of the Championship side.
The three-year deal will see 138.com replace SEGA and Sports Interactive as the club’s principle partner, which saw the logo of video game Football Manager emblazoned on the front of the team’s shirts.
The Football Manager logo will remain on the Hornet’s shirts for the forthcoming season, instead being placed on the back, after Sports Interactive & SEGA extend their partnership with the London club last week.
138.com commercial director Daniel Stracey said: ‘Watford FC have a bright future and 138.com are happy to be a part of this exciting period in the Hertfordshire-based club’s illustrious history. With our European headquarters in London we were keen to sponsor a local club in particular.’
‘We feel we have a duty as principal sponsors of Watford FC not to just put our name on the front of a shirt but to integrate with the community and have a presence around the football club. Competitions for fans and exclusive Watford FC web-based content will be a running theme for the duration of the partnership. We look forward to working with a great club for many successful years and feel privileged to be part of the Hornet family. We and can’t wait to meet all the loyal fans!’
Watford FC chief executive Scott Duxbury added: ‘I would like to warmly welcome 138.com into the Watford FC family as the club’s principal partner for the 2013/14 season. To have a global brand again associated with Watford FC is a tribute to the progress the club has made this year. 138.com is an ambitious brand and we are an ambitious football club. We are very pleased to have concluded this exciting partnership and look forward to working together in the future.’
Watford suffered play-off heartbreak at Wembley in May after missing out in the final game of the 2012/13 league season. Widely regarded as the richest game in football, Watford went down 1-0 after extra time to Crystal Palace, following a solitary penalty from veteran Kevin Phillips.
