Lets 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.
