Carlisle Utd sponsorship to continue for further five years
We’re delighted to announce that our sponsorship of Carlisle Utd is set to continue for another five years as the team starts the new season in League One.
We have been a long-term supporter of the football club with the sponsorship of a major stand entering its tenth year. From groundboards to match day catering, our support has helped the club many years prior to this too.
Chief executive of Carlisle Utd, Nigel Clibbens, says:
” Pioneer Foodservice is one of the club’s longest supporting businesses. It has provided commercial sponsorship over many decades. Crucially, it has also provided financial backing to the club over the years with interest free funding.
This sponsorship deal is a real win-win and we are pleased to be renewing our association with Pioneer as a commercial partner going into the future.”
Pictured above at the club’s homeground of Brunton Park are David and Graham Jenkins with Nigel Clibbens.
The Pioneer stand is re-named!
Not only are we excited to continue our sponsorship, but we are proud that the club has decided to rename the old ‘Pioneer stand’ the ‘Andrew Jenkins stand sponsored by Pioneer Foodservice’. The stand will now carry our new branding for a further five years.
Andrew Jenkins, our chairman, has served the club as director and chairman for 64 years and is still as passionate today about the club as he was in the early days.
Nigel Clibbens said: “We have seen the naming of stands at other grounds, but it’s a very rare honour for a club to do this, reserved for special individuals who have made a life-long contribution to their club.
“This is a tribute from the club to honour a lifetime of service by Andrew to his hometown team. It ensures his memory and legacy remains in the fabric of the club. Having secured promotion, and as Andrew starts his 65th season at the club, the timing seemed right to do this now.”
Thank you!
Speaking about the renaming of the Pioneer Stand, Andrew Jenkins said: “The first thing I have to say is thank you to everyone because I can’t actually believe that it’s been done.
“I feel very proud. 64 years is a long time but this is a very special place and a wonderful club. Some people are in it for the glory, I’ve never thought of it like that. I just love Carlisle United.
“It came as a lovely surprise because my sons [Graham and David] told me that we needed to come to the ground to look at the placement of groundboards.
“I walked down the tunnel and out to the side of the pitch, and I never even thought to look up at the roof opposite. It was Nigel who asked me what I thought about the new sign, and it was a shock to see it.
“I’m not really one for the limelight, I prefer just to work away in the background, but yes, I do feel very proud.
“I’m getting on in years now, and all I want is for somebody to come in who will feel the same, and who wants to look after it in the same way.
“We’ve had some tough times, and some very good times, and through it all I’ve only ever tried to do the best thing for the club. It’s been a huge part of my life and this is a very nice gesture – thank you.”
Fitting tribute
Our managing director, Graham Jenkins, says: “This was a complete surprise but at the same time a big honour for our dad, whose hard work and dedication has always been for the benefit and welfare of his beloved Carlisle United and has never sought any accolades for himself.
“We thought it was fitting at the same time to renew our sponsorship of the stand with modern new signage to support the club in this exciting new era in League One.
“We wish Paul and his team every success this season. Carlisle United Football Club is such a big part of the city and means so much to the proud Cumbrians who live here.”