Sunderland AFC is delighted to announce Great Annual Savings Group as the club’s new principal partner.
The agreement will initially run through to the end of the 2021-22 season, with the Great Annual Savings (GAS) name to be proudly displayed on the front of the club’s home and away shirts.
Additionally, the deal will also see the GAS logo emblazoned on the front of the Under-23s’ shirts, as well as all adult and junior replica shirts.
The multi-year partnership represents the continuation of a strong relationship between SAFC and Great Annual Savings Group, who are based in the North East and have been working alongside the club since 2017.
Jim Rodwell, Chief Executive Officer at SAFC, said: “We are proud to welcome Great Annual Savings Group as our new principal partner. Over the past three years, my colleagues have forged a strong and long-lasting partnership with Great Annual Savings Group and their passion for the club has shone brightly throughout. Cementing partnerships with North East businesses will greatly benefit SAFC and the community for many years to come, and we are looking forward to growing successfully together.”
Brad Groves, Chief Executive of GAS, added: “We have worked with Sunderland for three years now and have helped them with energy and legislative obligations, as well as becoming a long-term supporter of the Foundation of Light. Sunderland is a football club with huge influence in the city and the region. As one of the UK’s fastest-growing businesses, we believe we can utilise this to achieve something worthwhile with the partnership. In a time of uncertainty for so many families, we will be working with the club on a number of initiatives to make a difference to families who may be struggling. With the backing of the club, we are looking forward to revealing more soon.”
Founded in 2012, GAS is a B2B cost reduction specialist, giving businesses and their owners the power to control their outgoing costs. With more than 10,000 customers across the UK and Republic of Ireland, GAS has built a diverse portfolio ranging from sole traders to large multinationals in all sectors.
With services including gas and electricity, water, merchant services, telecoms, insurance and more, GAS offers the widest range of cost reduction expertise available in one place.
The Group is about to move into a stunning new headquarters at Seaham’s Spectrum Business Park and will be collaborating with SAFC on a wide range of community-based initiatives across the North East throughout the partnership.
Mark Jones, Associate Director (UKI Enterprise) at GAS, said: “As a lifelong Sunderland supporter, this has been an enjoyable deal to be a part of. GAS colleagues have been regulars at the Stadium of Light in recent seasons, roaring on the lads, and we hope to be involved with the club in a professional capacity for years to come, as well as in our personal lives.”
Craig Shields, Head of Quality and Risk at GAS, added: “The shirt sponsorship represents the culmination of all the work we have done with the club to date and we could not be prouder. It is an exciting time to work for GAS as we now employ more than 300 people with more new jobs and an incredible new HQ on the way. To be sponsoring Sunderland’s kit is another great feeling for those of us from the area. The timing has been planned to fit perfectly with our growth plans and I think it is a great time for Sunderland to have a company with its roots in the city on the front of the shirt.”
To learn more about Great Annual Savings Group, visit greatannualsavings.com/sunderland-afc.