Flintoff bowling for Mariners appeal!

The former England skipper and Ashes winner turned broadcaster is set to be the star guest at a fundraising dinner at the Marine Travel Arena later this year for the on-going appeal after the EVO-STIK League Premier Division club signed a new stand sponsorship deal with Patrick McKeown Wealth Management.

Flintoff, 40, also handed over a signed Marine shirt to auction off for the appeal this week before Marine's victory over Widnes in the semi-finals of the Liverpool Senior Cup after being signed up as a new fan by his close friend and the main stand's new sponsor - Crosby-based businessman and former Lancashire County Cricket Club batsman Patrick McKeown.

The delighted Mariners issued a statement hailing the deal and backing of another Crosby-based business ahead of the weekend's action and hosting Halesowen Town in the EVO-STIK League's top flight on Saturday.

Marine vice-chairman Dave McMillan said: “We’re delighted that Paddy has agreed to sponsor Marine by renaming the stand the Patrick McKeown Wealth Management Stand. It’s another example of a local business supporting their community club.

"Paddy and his family have quickly become regulars at our home games and it’s great to see them supporting the team. We hope that this will be the start of another long-standing partnership that will benefit the club and Paddy for many more seasons.”

Marine chairman Paul Leary said: "Following the sponsorship link up at the beginning of the season with Crosby Cycles and Coulson Flooring here is a further example this year of Marine Football Club linking up with another Crosby business.

"I am delighted for the commitment given by Paddy to have the stand named the Patrick McKeown Wealth Management Stand. I believe that the agreement will benefit both parties for some time to come and we look forward to working alongside Paddy to help make this happen.”

Known to many as Paddy, McKeown offers high quality personal advice on all aspects of wealth management, including investment planning, inheritance tax planning, retirement planning and inter-generational planning.

He said: “Marine is a fantastic community club and offers many opportunities to help me grow my business. I’m very happy to be closely involved and have already been made extremely welcome at the club.

"I grow my business from referrals. If you know of anyone who could benefit from a review, a meeting or simply a chat, please let me know, or, forward my contact details. All referrals will be treated with the utmost respect and confidentiality.”

Marine are looking forward to upgrading their historic home during the EVO-STIK League club's milestone 125th anniversary season in 2018-19 after getting the green light from town planners this month for the major makeover to the main stand at the College Road to start in the summer of 2019.

Submitted by Crosby-based architects Tony Diaz Associates, the scheme will see a complete re-modelling of the facilities behind the stand following the demolition of an old timber building built in 1929.

The upgrades planned to coincide with the club's foundation in 1894 by South Road traders at a meeting in the former Marine Hotel, now the stadium's Champs Bar, include a matchday snack bar, stewards control room, spectator first aid treatment room, club shop, matchday office, kit store and a new spectator hospitality suite.

Donatations payable to “Marine FC Ground Appeal” should be sent to Marine club secretary Richard Cross at 74 Elvington Road, Hightown, Liverpool, L38 9AN. Alternatively, donations can be made securely online at www.groundappeal.co.uk.

Images courtesy of @MarineAFC/Twitter

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