Supermarine Football Club still looking for a name to put on its shirts (From Swindon Advertiser)

Supermarine Football Club still looking for a name to put on its shirts

8:00am Wednesday 5th August 2009 in News By Hayley Court

SUPERMARINE Football Club is still looking for a name to put on its home shirts after a generous offer from the winner of the club’s sponsorship draw.

The non-league club, based at Hunts Copse, in Supermarine Road, devised a plan to host a £250-a-ticket prize draw for companies hoping to sponsor the club in the 2009/2010 season.

Prizes included home shirt sponsorship, away shirt sponsorship, warm-up kit sponsorship, a pitch-side advertising board and a full page advert in the matchday programme.

The first prize home shirt sponsorship went to Stratton-based company DJ Rideout General Building. But in a bid to boost Supermarine’s funds further, company director David Rideout offered to forfeit his prize so more sponsorship money could be raised.

“It was a very generous thing to do and something we are really grateful for,” said Supermarine club secretary Judi Moore.

The draw took place at half time during Supermarine’s home friendly match versus Swindon Town last week.

“Mr Rideout came up to me after the draw and just said he’d like us to try and sell the sponsorship again to raise more money for the club,” said Judi.

“It was very kind so now we’re open to offers.

“If none come in then DJ Rideout General Building will be on our shirts for the forthcoming season.”

Fedex UK, based at the South Marston Industrial Estate, won the away shirt sponsorship, while Roadrunners Couriers at Cheney Manor Industrial Estate will be endorsing the team’s warm up kit.

Jeweller Deacon’s of Wood Street, Old Town, won the pitch-side advertising board and Simon Day Accountants in Uffcott, south of Swindon, won the full page ad in the club’s programme.

The club, which plays in the Zamaretto Premier Division, made about £5,000 from the draw and gave every company that took part a pair of season tickets.

Mr Rideout, 70, said: “It’s a wonderful atmosphere at Supermarine. Everyone’s friends, they all get on but it is tough to survive financially in a league like that so every little helps.

“It was an honour to win the sponsorship but realistically if they can get a better offer from someone with more financial backing I will happily forfeit my position.”