Derby County has teamed up with The Derbyshire Building Society in a three-year club sponsorship deal that sees two of the region's most famous names working together.
The new sponsorship arrangement was announced last night (July 12 2005) at a special Spanish-themed launch party at Pride Park to unveil the club's new home strip, made by Spanish sportswear firm Joma.
The Derbyshire will fund the deal through its popular Derby Rams savings account, from which The Derbyshire has pledged to donate the equivalent of 1% of average balances held in the account during the year to support the club's Academy.
Last year, the account netted around £300,000 for youth development, which was spent directly on nurturing young talent. The club's Academy set-up has seen the emergence of first team players such as players Lee Camp, Marcus Tudgay and Lee Holmes.
In addition to The Derbyshire's logo featuring on the front of the new shirts, the Derby Rams Saver Account branding will be positioned on the back of the shirts and shorts and the new Joma home and away strips will be on display in 33 branches of The Derbyshire across the county.
Derby County operations director Paul Clouting said: "This new agreement is an extension of our already thriving partnership with The Derbyshire, taking our relationship to a new level.
"We've worked closely with The Derbyshire over a number of years and this arrangement sees two of the region's biggest brands coming together to forge even closer links. There's a terrific synergy between the two organisations - both have their roots within the county but have established their reputations far beyond its borders. We both play an active role in the community we serve and will continue to do so."
"This extension of our relationship with The Derbyshire comes at an exciting time for the club. In Phil Brown we have a new manager looking to build on the success of last season and around 17,000 supporters have already booked their season tickets.
"Off the field, we have an award-winning conference and banqueting operation which is helping us establish Pride Park as one of the region's premier venues for business and social events.
"The success of the recent Rod Stewart concert proves we have the facilities and staff to stage major non-football events and we will be in discussions with other major acts over the coming weeks and months as we look to build on the success of last month's concert.
"Our core business is football but diversity results in new revenue streams and an increase in our commercial activity will benefit every aspect of the club. The development of our commercial activity is reflected in the re-branding and re-focusing of our retail operation and the refurbishment of the club shop.
"Our new leisurewear and other merchandise ranges will have a 'High Street' feel as we establish varied product lines alongside the traditional replica kit and training gear.
"The exciting element of our new partnerships with The Derbyshire and Joma is the shared ambition of success. Joma is a Spanish company looking to establish itself in the UK market, The Derbyshire is the leading retail financial services provider in the region.
"It has a winning e-brand both regionally and nationally, and, of course, Derby County's aim is promotion to the Premiership. We have common goals and, together, can help each other achieve them.
The Derbyshire's chief executive Peter Richardson said: "We are delighted to be the new sponsors of Derby County Football Club. This partnership sees the coming together of two complementary brands, both regional leaders in their fields.
"Being based locally, we are very much aware of the importance of football to this community which is why we are committed to developing the talents of the young stars of the future.
"Our support comes on the back of a record year for The Derbyshire with our How Fair is That? brand fronted by Ellen MacArthur and also atan exciting period in the club's history following the successful play-off campaign last season and the development of the commercial side of the business.
"The club has just welcomed a new manager to take the team forward and we are looking forward to another successful season at Pride Park.
"The sponsorship deal will further establish The Derbyshire as the number one financial services provider in the East Midlands and we are proud to be associated with the region's number one football team."
