Shirt sponsor commits to decade long deal

Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Marine are celebrating the signing of one of the longest shirt sponsorship deals in Non-League football.

Ahead of Saturday’s Premier Division clash with Rushall Olympic at the Arriva Stadium, the delighted Mariners announced that the Marine Travel Company had agreed to adorn the front of their home and away shirts for the next ten years.

Recognised as one of the UK's leading independent marine travel companies providing dedicated travel, crew and logistics services to the shipping and marine industry, the Marine Travel Company was founded in 2002.

Now based in Canterbury, the company operates globally with partners as far afield as the Philippines, South Africa, India and the USA, handling the travel of marine and oil related businesses throughout the UK and Europe.

The six figure agreement is an extension to the five year deal the company signed with Liverpool’s number one Non-League club in 2012 and will run until the end of the 2024 campaign.

Marine Chairman Paul Leary is pictured putting pen-to-paper on the agreement with Dave Thompson, a life-long supporter and the sponsor's managing director.

Leary said: "Marine Football Club is indebted to Dave Thompson and the Marine Travel Company for agreeing to commit such an amazing sponsorship. This agreement for over ten years is unbelievable even at the highest level of football and to have this long term commitment is truly fantastic.

"The six figure value of the sponsorship will substantially help Marine to further consolidate its financial position in coming years. The sponsorship provides a vital level of support that will make a difference and will enable us to plan positively in the future.

"This new agreement clearly demonstrates the very special relationship that has developed in the last two years and the new arrangement provides that important stability for Marine Football Club for many years ahead. This year the club celebrates its 120th anniversary and this very special announcement is well timed."

He added: "This new longer term partnership allows Marine Football Club and the Marine Travel Company to continue to work closely with each other for a longer duration and enables both parties to increasingly share and enjoy the benefits of such an arrangement."

Thompson, a schoolboy fan of Marine who lived locally in Waterloo and attended games with his father as a lad, including the famous FA Cup victory at home to Barnsley in 1975, is delighted to renew his personal and professional links with the club and Leary.

He said: "Having moved up north to the Crosby area in the late 60s, the first football match my father took me to was a game at College Road which I still remember to this day. Even though I have now moved back down south I always look out for the Marine result every week.

"I am still regularly on Merseyside and am really delighted and excited that myself and my company can be part of Marine's very long term plans and I look forward to being at the Arriva Stadium for the many seasons ahead."