A Chester legal firm has given a big sponsorship boost to players at Vauxhall FC who will be aiming for victory in the preliminary rounds of the FA Cup championships on Saturday.
It follows on from their support for the club last season.
Vauxhall FC Commercial Manager, Mike Harper, said: “It is a great boost for us. Smaller clubs like ours rely on sponsorship to survive and for Walker Smith Way to extend their support from one year to three is testimony of the faith they have in us.”
The deal means the Walker Smith Way name will appear on the back of the first team shirts.
The players received new kit this year and are now hoping for a successful run following recent changes in their line up by manager Carl Macauley and assistant manager Andy Mutch, a former Wolverhampton Wanderers and Swindon premiership player.
They are currently 16th in the Blue Square North Division, but fans have been delighted by their outings in the initial rounds of the FA Cup tournament.
They have successfully got through the first three qualifying rounds, knocking out Guiseler 3-2 earlier this month and they not go on to play in the fourth heat against Kidderminster Harriers on Saturday, October 27.
“Each round we win brings in prize money for the club, which is good for building up our finances and team spirit. Prize money and sponsorship deals like the Walker Smith Way one are a lifeline for us,” said Mike.
The team play at the Rivacre ground Ellesmere Port and the club also has several youth teams for youngsters aged from six to 16.
About five years ago the first team made national headlines when they knocked out Queens Park Rangers in the early stages of the tournament and appeared on Sky TV for one of their matches.
Mike added: “That was a real shot in the arm financially as it brought in a lot of money. If we could get to the later stages again it would be great, but at the moment it’s one game at a time.”
Walker Smith Way is one of the biggest legal practices in the region, employing 170 and drawing clients from all over Cheshire, North Wales and the borders.
Elen Rowlands, Walker Smith Way marketing manager, said: “We are delighted to be helping a club which plays such an important role in the community and we wish them luck on Saturday.
“We have been associated with Vauxhall FC for some years and felt the time was right to increase our involvement by extending the sponsorship deal for a longer period. Vauxhall are big employers in the area and the club has a long history of loyal support from workers and the surrounding community.”
