Bodog Brand seals sponsorship of Ayr United ahead of playoffs

Eric Bianchi
May 9, 2011
22 Comments

Ayr United badgeLets face it. In the gambling industry, sponsoring soccer teams’ jerseys’ is nothing new. Whether Pwin will now adorn the jersey of Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid is not yet clear as it could all be part of THE conspiracy. The thing with most of these sponsorships is that there’s no real allegiance being shown.

This changed earlier today as Bodog Brand founder Calvin Ayre announced the sponsorship of Scottish side Ayr United. The small club might not fit with the big man’s usual flamboyant style. The team’s basically named after him though!

Ayre stated: “When I heard that the club was looking for a sponsor I knew I was going to make an offer but the fact that the colours are also the same as the Bodog brand colours sealed it.”

“I won’t pretend I know the area well but with a fondness for a drink and in particular Cabrach and Hendrick’s Gin, barely a day goes by without me toasting the local economy in some way. When I heard about this I just couldn’t resist and I hope that between the Bodog brand and myself we can bring some more good times to Ayr United. We have plans to really get behind the team, not just hand over a cheque, and I am looking forward to paying a visit this summer and raising a glass to The Honest Men.”

Calvin’s last major deal was to acquire Slots.com for £4m at an online auction whilst sat in a pub. We can only speculate as to how much Hendrick’s was sunk after the Ayr deal but “pretty fricken much” would be an accurate parameter.

Hugh Cameron, Commercial Director Ayr United, added: “Ayr United are thrilled to unveil Bodog as our main sponsor for next season and look forward to building a successful partnership with Calvin and the Bodog barnd, although clearly we will now have to review the choice of spirits we offer our guests in the boardroom.”

“It’s great news for everyone connected with Ayr United to have attracted a global brand like Bodog to our club and to the Scottish football league. The substantial financial agreement we secured was, of course, very welcome but we were also aware from our negotiations with the company that we were signing an agreement with a business that has people with a real desire and intention to engage with the club, our supporters and the wider community, and I’m sure in time this will become apparent.”

Ayr United also still has a chance to be promoted this season. Finishing second in the Scottish Football League Second Division means that they are in the playoffs and face Forfar Athletic. The remaining fixtures are as follows:

Wednesday 11th May
IRN BRU First Division Play-Off Semi-Final 1st Leg
Forfar Athletic vs Ayr United 7:45pm.

Saturday 14th May
IRN BRU First Division Play-Off Semi-Final 2nd Leg
Ayr United vs Forfar Athletic 2:00pm.

If successful they will advance to the final, details as follows:

Wednesday 18th May
IRN BRU First Division Play-Off Final 1st Leg
Winners of Ayr United vs Forfar Athletic VS Winners of Cowdenbeath vs Brechin City.

Sunday 22nd May
IRN BRU First Division Play-Off Final 2nd Leg
Winners of Cowdenbeath vs Brechin City VS Winners of Ayr United vs Forfar Athletic.

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  • http://www.facebook.com/calvinayre Calvin Ayre

    I am going to buy a ton of these bodog kit and give them out as gifts…they are going to be cool. And the team is actually from my ancestral home and has my name on it…pretty cool.

    • http://twitter.com/myscottishfitba mSn

      Welcome aboard Calvin. If you are in generous mood, the football academy could also do with a sponsor as well. The under 17 side just became champions of the scottish league.

      • http://www.facebook.com/calvinayre Calvin Ayre

        Let me get up there and have a look around. This is good timing as I had a trip to Scotland planned this summer so fits in good.

        • http://twitter.com/myscottishfitba mSn

          You should try and get here for the up coming Manchester United pre season match in July and if you didn't already know, Ayr won the first leg of the playoffs last night 4-1 away from home. Should be a good day at home on Saturday!

    • Ayrutd1910

      your the man calvin! excellent news that you have decided to sponsor the best team in ayrshire, ayr united! let the good times begin!!!!!

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=507167889 Graham Montgomerie

    Welcome to to the Ayr United family Calvin and Bodog

  • Vwr32

    Well done mate
    My dads a die hard ayr united fan and is over the moon that you have sponsored them
    He says if your giving the shirts out as gifts he will take one lol

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  • http://twitter.com/StevieAyr S

    Sooperb news, welcome to Ayr

  • http://twitter.com/StevieAyr S

    Fantastic news

  • Pogo1910

    Cheers Calvin this is just what the club need,its given us a big lift for the play offs,heres hoping we can win the play offs and wear the Bodog kits with pride next season.

  • Jasonlarcombe

    congrats on sponsoring the best small team in the best small country in the world Mr Ayre! maybe a few years down the line we might see the new stadium finally built and named after yourself or your site, i can jst see it now… ' the BODOG stadium' or 'Calvins stadium,hands off' lol :D !

  • franco

    This is great news for Ayr United. Thanks alot Calvin and we all hope promotion comes this season and hopefully more to follow with Bodog as our sponsor. Awesome times

  • W Hetherington195

    after supporting Ayr United for 53 years this is one of the best things to happen to the club welcome mr Ayres when in Ayr drop into hawkhill bowling club next to the stadium and I will buy you a drink, hoping for a lot more from this joining of two great names once again welcome

  • KPDH

    I am trying to see the bright side of this as an avid Ayr Utd fan but I do have a few reservations on this deal and I hope that Ayr fans are not reading too much into this shirt sponsorship deal. When you do visit you will do one of two things when you see the stadium, either run a mile or say here's the money build a new one and I hope its the second one!

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  • Charlie

    CALVIN AYRE - Welcome to AUFC you really have created quite a stir in Ayrshire and beyond, all Ayr fans have been waiting for years for a flamboyant sponsor who can maybe help a bit more than normal and maybe even go down in history as sponsor of new stadium named after you (it`s a dream LOL). Along with many others I am a lifelong season ticket holder, I am sure lots of us would like to buy you a drink and welcome you to Ayr to show appreciation for any help you give to AUFC – One team in Ayrshire – Charlie

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