The purpose of this document is to share the commercial activity undertaken by Newport County AFC and our achievements this season. It will also cover our plans and preparations for the 2022/23 season.
At the start of this season, we implemented a new value-driven approach for our commercial partners. All seventeen partnerships from the 2020/21 season have been renewed for this season. We presently have forty-three partners and we have surpassed our commercial revenue target for this season.
Twenty-two partners from the 2021/22 season have already extended their partnerships for next season. We are meeting all of our existing commercial partners and new businesses to discuss opportunities for next season.
The following represents updates on the key revenue streams.
Kit sponsorships
This revenue stream includes; the home and away senior team kits, the senior team training kit and the foundation, youth, and professional development phase academy kits for the 2021/22 season.
Senior Team Home Kit
At the beginning of this season, Pure Vans signed a two-year deal to become the club's principal partner, extending their long-standing relationship with the club. Their company logo appears on the shirt as part of this investment.
At the beginning of this season Plumbstop also extended their partnership with the club to appear on the back of the shirt. New partners Candour Talent appear on the shorts for the first time.
Senior Team Away Kit
At the beginning of this season HoodHill Motor Company entered into a two-year deal with the club. As part of their investment, the company logo appears on the front of the away shirt. First Choice Utilities extended their partnership with the club and their company logo on the back of the shirt.
2022/23 season kits
Newport County AFC will announce the new season kit in June 2022. We have planned an exclusive launch event for our 2022/23 kit partners to offer them an early glimpse before the kits are revealed to the fans. Returning partners have already sponsored the following kit:
- Front of Home Shirt
- Back of Home Shirt
- Home Shorts
- Front of Away Shirt
- Third Shorts
Conversations are already underway with returning partners about the remaining kit which includes:
- Back of Away Shirt
- Back of Away Shorts
- Front of Third Shirt
- Back of Third Shirt
Academy Home Kit
This season Fortis – Residential Sales, RedKey - Lettings and Management and 57 Tyres are the sponsors for all three academy phases.
Next season Motorpoint are the sponsor for all three Newport County AFC academy kits.
Training Kit
Alfa Staff invested into the first Training Kit partnership at the beginning the 2021/22 season. As part of the deal their company logo was printed on to the front of the senior team squad's training tops and jackets which are worn for training and pre match warmups.
Additional training kit partnerships have been made available for the 2022/23 season which are already being discussed with new and returning partners.
Match Sponsorships
Matchday and Match ball sponsorships make up the match sponsorship revenue stream.
Matchday Sponsorships
All twenty-three league matches this season have received matchday sponsorship. As part of their investment sponsors receive matchday hospitality, a signed shirt and additional digital coverage for their business. All seventeen returning partners invested in match sponsorship this season.
Our first eight matches for the 2022/23 season have already been sponsored by returning partners. An additional ten proposals including matchday sponsorship have been sent to returning partners as part of their renewals with the club.
Match ball sponsorships
This season, all twenty-three match balls have received sponsorship. Sponsors receive matchday hospitality, a signed ball, and enhanced digital coverage as part of their contribution. Ten fixtures received multiple sponsorships from returning and new businesses this season.
The first ten match balls for the 2022/23 season have already been sponsored by partners who have extended their engagement with the club for another season. An additional five have been included in proposals to returning partners.
Stadium sponsorships
Revenue generated from stadium sponsorships is split across the four stands at Rodney Parade – the South Stand, North Terrace, opposite the Bisley and the Bisley.
South Stand
This season, Pure Vans extended their sponsorship of the South Stand for an eight consecutive season. Their two-year agreement will see them advertising their logo across the stadium for a ninth season.
North Terrace
This season the North Terrace has featured advertising boards for a number of returning partners. HoodHill Motor Company will be the sole sponsor advertising over the North Terrace for the 2022/23 season.
Bisley Stand
This season, the Bisley stand features information about; Newport County AFC socials, affiliated charities and the Trust. Our major partners, Pure Vans Ltd and HoodHill Motor Company, also feature. This structure will be maintained next season which will raise awareness and expand our social platforms during the course of next season.
Stand opposite the Bisley
The planned work on the stand opposite the Bisley is complete. The pitch length and roof length LED boards have now been installed and are operational. All seventeen returning partners and fifteen new partners have invested in LED advertising this season.
Returning and new partners have already invested in 42 minutes of LED advertising for next season. As a result of advancements in both the hardware and software, static and animated adverts for roof and pitch side LED boards are now available. Please get in touch if you would like to find out more.
Player sponsorships
This season player sponsorship revenue refers to the sponsorship of individual first-team players
2021/22 Player Sponsorship
This season, fans and local businesses have sponsored forty-six of the fifty-eight possible players, an increase of 10 from the previous season. Throughout the season, sponsors have been recognised with a feature in digital matchday programmes and an announcement on our official social platforms.
Sponsors will be able to collect their players match worn shirt. The shirts will be available for collection at the pop up shop at Rodney Parade on April 15th. They will subsequently be available from our store in the Kingsway centre.
For those who have requested it shirts will be posted out following the easter weekend.
2022/23 Player sponsorship
We have several players already under contract for next season and the manager has previously stated that he will be active in the transfer market. The squad numbers for the upcoming season will be released in early July.
An event is being organised to recognise those who have been involved this season and give them an exclusive view of the squad and squad numbers. The event will also give our 2021/22 player sponsors a unique opportunity to extend their partnership with the club.
We will be in contact with sponsors about the event over the coming weeks.
Summary
We have increased the number of commercial partners from seventeen to forty-two. Our commercial revenue target for the 2021/22 season has been met. We are now working hard to meet the target for next season. The club's main priorities are the retention of partners and the introduction of new local businesses.
Twenty-two of our forty-two partners have already extended their partnerships with us for the next season.
There are many opportunities for individuals and businesses to become involved with the club next season.
Hopefully you have found this update useful and informative. If you would like to know more, please get in touch.
Get in touch
To get involved or for any additional commercial information, please email matthew.owen@newport-county.co.uk or contact 07468 723638. You can also keep up to date on by following us @comm_ncafc on Twitter and Instagram or by searching “Newport County AFC – Commercial” on Facebook.