AINSDALE ANNOUNCE SPONSORSHIP DEAL

Date: 13th March 2013

A Paul Edwards copyright exclusive for L&DCC Official Website.

notable coup for the Liverpool Road club

Ainsdale CC have changed their name to County Insurance Ainsdale after agreeing a one-year sponsorship deal with the Crewe-based firm who also sponsor Nantwich Town FC.

The agreement is a notable coup for the Liverpool Road club, coming at a time when other sports club are finding it more difficult to attract sponsors or even sell tables at dinners.

"We're all delighted by the partnership we've set up with County Insurance," said first team skipper Dave Newcombe, "although it was rather the sort of thing we hoped would happen when we signed an overseas player like Wasim Jaffer.

"Our sponsors will be providing Wasim with a car and they will also be financing the purchase of kit for the players. That said, they're looking to get a return on their investment, it's not just a gift or a form of advertising. We've agreed a one-year deal, although we'll review matters at the end of the season."

Having found a sponsor and seen the club's sponsors' board sold out, Ainsdale's players know they must now acquit themselves well on the field in the competitive season which begins four weeks on Saturday.

"We have to prove we're worthy of such excellent support," said Newcombe, "but, with the exception of Wasim, our players are now netting and our second team will be boosted by a young Australian, Ashtyn McIntyre, who comes from Melbourne. We're hoping that he is the first beneficiary of what will become a reciprocal arrangement.

Ainsdale's first opponents in the group stages of the Liverpool Competition Knockout Trophy are Burscough and Newcombe is optimistic that his players will seize the opportunity to progress to the last 16.

"We're second favourites in our group and we have the best chance we've had of making it through the group stages," said Newcombe. "Wasim Jaffer won't be arriving until the start of the league season so there should be plenty of chance for people to stake a claim for batting slots."