Boost for women's football as South Shields FC Ladies land new shirt sponsorship deal

The club said deal is the most substantial in the team’s history and comes at a significant moment as the club looks to raise the profile of its women’s team and promote greater female participation in the game in South Shields, adding it “further underlines Pulman Volkswagen’s steadfast commitment to supporting the club as a whole”.

The 2021/22 campaign will be the company’s seventh year as a South Shields FC sponsor, with Pulman also set to retain their sponsorship of the club’s media channels into the new campaign.

The car brand’s logo will also again appear on the back of all replica kits.

Chris Slater, commercial director at Pulman Group, said: “To partner with the South Shields FC Ladies team was a fantastic opportunity for Pulman Volkswagen to further its backing for the club as a whole.

“We’ve been a long-term supporter of South Shields FC and as a local family business, we feel there are many synergies between the two organisations.

“The development of women’s football at the club is great to see and we’re delighted to be part of it while further strengthening our relationship with The Mariners as a whole.”

Pulman Volkswagen’s sponsorship of South Shields FC began in 2015.

The family-run car retailer also represents SEAT, CUPRA and SKODA and has bases in Cramlington, Sunderland and Durham.

SSFC said The company’s support of SSFC Ladies is a further indication of their commitment to support the club, as well as football in general in an area Pulman is so passionate about.

It comes as the team steps up its preparations for the 2021/22 season under new manager Scott Curtis.

Stephen Lester, head of SSFC Ladies, said: “We are absolutely delighted with the news that Pulman Volkswagen, which is one of the area’s most popular and well-known businesses and a long-time supporter of the club, has thrown its weight behind our ladies team for next season.

“Their generous sponsorship of the playing kit is a massive boost to us both financially and in helping again raise the profile of the team.

“It's by far the largest donation we have ever received and after the hard times we have all endured over the past two years, is a real boost.”

He added: “This has put an added spring in the step of not just myself but all the staff and players as we plan for 2021/22.

“It secures our strategy for next season in helping to reduce the cost to our players of playing the game they love so much and which impacts directly on their lives.

“It is a fantastic gesture by a real community-focused business, and everyone connected to the team and wider SSFC family is grateful.”

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