By Paul Nicholson
June 25 – 153-year old Notts County, the world’s oldest professional club, has landed the biggest sponsorship deal in the club’s history with betting and gaming giant Ladbrokes.
In a two-year deal Ladrokes will take over as shirt sponsor of the English League 2 club. No amount for the deal has been released.
Notts County’s shirt has a famous history, most notably for it being adopted by Juventus in 1903 when, then playing in a pink jersey, the club decided a change was needed. John Savage, an English player at the club, ordered shirts via a friend who was a Notts County supporter. The black and white striped shirts were an instant hit and have been Juve’s first choice kit ever since.
Unfortunately on the pitch the clubs’ have gone in different directions. While Juventus reached the Champions League final and the pinnacle of European club football, Notts County were relegated to the fourth tier of English football, League Two.
The history of the shirt was recognised when Juventus invited Notts County to play as part of the grand opening ceremony of the new Juventus Stadium in 2011, the opening of which has marked the start of a golden period for the Bianconeri.
Labrokes are betting on the Notts County shirt to return to League One, pricing them at 18/1 to win League Two or a less attractive 9/2 to be promoted next season.
Notts County chairman Ray Trew said: “This is an exciting day for Notts County Football Club and all our supporters, I have been in positive communication with Ladbrokes since they sponsored our Capital One Cup tie against Liverpool in 2013 and I am glad after many months of negotiating to have personally secured this deal.
“We are obviously delighted that a huge global brand such as Ladbrokes have put pen to paper in association with us as we enter a new era both on and off the field.
“We would like to thank Ladbrokes for their support and sponsorship for the forthcoming season and beyond.”
The agreement is hoped to be the beginning of a longer term partnership between the two brands with Ladbrokes looking to open a retail outlet at Notts County’s Meadow Lane stadium.
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