The first silverware of the English football season will be won on Tuesday night – as Macclesfield Town take on Newport County in the ‘Unsponsored Derby’.
It marks the first meeting of two teams to have been unsponsored by bookmakers Paddy Power this season, as part of their Save Our Shirt campaign.
As a result, the winners of the League Two clash will be crowned as the first ever SOS champions – with a trophy presentation planned post-match, should the game have a winner.
As well as the silverware – which will be stored in the winning team’s trophy cabinet until the reverse fixture on January 28th – Paddy Power have unsponsored almost all of the ground’s advertising boards and the Man of the Match award.
Teaming up with several local brands, Paddy Power have made sure that most of the perimeter boards at Moss Rose will bear no brand logos. (Full list of brands below)
Spokesman Paddy Power said: “We’re proud and very excited that two of our partner clubs are playing each other, and to take the opportunity to unsponsor the match as much as is possible, returning the game to the fans.
“Normally, I’d hope for a draw but, given I’ve already arranged for a trophy and medals, I’m hoping there is a winner in this game.”
James Beckett, Commercial Director at Macclesfield, said: "We're delighted to be hosting the inaugural Unsponsored Derby. Both sides have made a good start to the season so I'm sure this will certainly capture the imagination of the supporters.
"A huge thank you to all of our partners who have got involved with the Unsponsored Derby and fingers crossed Daryl and the boys can bring the trophy home."
Gavin Foxall, Newport County Operational Chairman, said: “It’s great to see Paddy Power really celebrate this EFL League Two match and up the stakes with the ‘Unsponsored Trophy’ on offer to the winner of the first derby of the footballing season.
“I am really looking forward to the first ‘Unsponsored Derby’ of the season.”
Macclesfield partners who have joined the Unsponsored Derby: Spiral Colour, Fab Lounge, Macclesfield Lawn Mower Services, Pest In Peace, Silk FM, Goodwins, Macclesfield College, Bollington Insurance, JJ Cookson, Macclesfield Audi, Great Annual Savings, Halliwell Jones BMW, HN Nutall, Microsystems, Bailey Streetscene, Cheshire Artificial Grass, TTS Meats, Quoteline Direct, Traditional Barbers and Rainham Steel.
For more information, please visit www.saveourshirt.co.uk