Bolton Wanderers’ choice of new sponsor – payday loan firm QuickQuid – has been slammed by one of the town’s MPs.
The Reebok Stadium outfit – who finished seventh in the Championship last campaign – will also see the sponsor’s logo on their training kit.
But Bolton West Labour MP Julie Hilling lamented the club’s decision to display a payday loan company on their kits.
“It is a sad day for the club,” she told the BBC. “The industry exploits vulnerable people who need ready money.
“I think accepting a sponsorship deal legitimises these companies in a way that’s unacceptable.”
However, Wanderers chairman Phil Gartside believes the partnership will have a big impact in the community by investing in several club initiatives.
“This is one of QuickQuid’s initial UK sports partnerships, and I am delighted that they have joined with us at Bolton Wanderers,” he said.
“Their energy and enthusiasm to help develop initiatives in collaboration with the Community Trust and to support education and other sporting opportunities in and around Bolton has been extremely refreshing.
“Both parties want to develop a partnership that engaged with all elements of the football club and community, and as much as anything else, to bring some real fun to matchdays.”
Community projects on the horizon include an employability certificate initiative to improve school leavers’ employment opportunities and extending both sports partnership schemes and the Active Families programme.
Online bookmakers 188BET have been Bolton’s shirt sponsor since 2009, but their deal runs out in June.
With new matchday entertainment events for the Whites faithful also planned, QuickQuid’s head of partnerships Greg Hohnstein feels this could be the start of a productive relationship.
“We are delighted to be working with Bolton Wanderers over the next two seasons – and possibly longer,” he said.
“We were immediately impressed by the evident passion of the club and its supporters.
“We are excited to be part of a strong partnership as it develops over this period to help bring success on the pitch, and positive results and opportunities in the wider community.”
Picture courtesy of WikiCommons, with thanks.
For more on this story and many others, follow Mancunian Matters on Twitter and Facebook.
