Walsall ramps up hospitality offer with launch of 1888 Club 

WALSALL FC will have a new hospitality offering in place for the new season at its Banks’s Stadium ground.

The League One side’s 1888 Club will replace the existing Swift’s Club, being twice as large as its predecessor. At least ten new jobs will be created as a result.

Commercial manager Nina Best said: “There are not many clubs in our league who provide the level and quality of what we hope to achieve with the 1888 Club.

“We are basing the facility on something you may expect to find at a Championship level club; we are raising our aspirations both on and off the field.”

The 1888 Club aims to offer hospitality in a space designed for business contact and networking

Work has already begun on transforming the space and it will be open for prospective members to view by the middle of June. The Club will have a pitch view, along with a bar, five LED television screens, air-conditioning and free wi-fi.

Partnership sees Edgbaston stand renamed Drayton Manor Family Stand

DRAYTON Manor Theme Park has agreed a sponsorship deal with Warwickshire County Cricket Club.

The three-year partnership includes renaming the Priory Stand at the 25,000-seat Edgbaston Stadium the Drayton Manor Family Stand. In addition, the park’s logo will feature on the stadium scoreboard, website, and on scorecards for matches played at Edgbaston, as well as on tickets for the re-named stand.

Colin Bryan, Group CEO and managing director of Drayton Manor Theme Park, who is a passionate cricket fan, said: “Edgbaston is a fantastic sports venue, one of the best in the country so it’s great to see the Drayton Manor logo so prominently displayed here.

“We’re particularly excited about the Ashes test match returning to Edgbaston in 2015 as the Drayton Manor branding will be potentially seen by millions of people.

“This partnership is also about two established and iconic brands joining together to create ties with local schools, groups and communities.” 

Wright Hassall helps Leamington FC score off the field 

LEAMINGTON law firm Wright Hassall has helped the town’s football club achieve its off-field goal of improving its events and functions offering.

The solicitors drew up the licensing arrangements for the Leamington FC ground and the new arrangements have seen the bar licence extended from 11pm to 1am.

The new arrangements, drafted by firm consultant Andrew Potts, gives the club the opportunity to stage events at least six times a year without having to apply for a temporary licence.

Outdoor events and functions are also now on the agenda with marquee-style occasions planned for the summer months. As well as the clubhouse, a hospitality area for visiting dignitaries, sponsors and corporate clients is among the new areas licensed.     
    
Kevin Watson, a director at Leamington FC, said: “The licensing arrangements that Andrew has put in place have really opened up the opportunities for more functions and events at the club.”