Football Partnerships

By Alex Kotler

Onalfo returns to United fold

DC United announced this week that Curt Onalfo, a former player, director of youth development, and assistant coach at the club, will return to be the sixth head coach in the team’s history.

More on the Onalfo hiring

Watford avoid administration

Fordwat Limited has reportedly stepped in to keep Watford clear of the chop, or perhaps the toss, as former chairman and vice-chairman, Jimmy and Vince Russo, respectively, had demanded repayment on GBP 4.88 million in loans made through their company, Valley Grown Salads to the club.

More on the Watford rescue

The shirts off our back!

English Premier League side Arsenal FC are in negotiations with shirt sponsor Emirates Airlines to raise the value of the deal. One driver behind the initiative is the desire to increase available funds during the January period. Perhaps Stan Kroenke, who continues to up his ownership stake can open the purse?

More on Arsenal’s renegotiations

The FFF takes a gamble

The French Football Federation has announced the addition of gaming company PMU to its list of partners. The firm will reportedly sponsor the broadcast of the French National Team’s World Cup matches. Good to see someone else ‘handling’ things in France.

More on the FFF’s gamble

IN SPANISH: Belgian side expelled, release Spanish players

Jupiler Pro League side Royal Excelsior Mouscron has been expelled after failing to service debts of over EU 800,000. Five Spanish players, José Antonio Salcedo, Carlos Moreno, Manuel Mico, Jonathan Aspas y Alejandro Cortell, were released from their contracts.

More on this Royal shame

By Richard Farley

Steven Cohen, host of World Soccer Daily (WSD), will be replaced as host of Fox Football Fone-In (FFF), USA Today reported this morning. After five years co-hosting the Fox Soccer Channel’s Monday night talk, Cohen will be replaced by former United States Men’s National Team striker E

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By Alex Kotler

With just over six weeks before KICKOFF: MANCHESTER the pitch is manicured and trimmed, the players are loose and ready, the vendors have hot meat pies and match-day magazines for sale and fans are waiting at the turnstiles to fill the stadium to capacity.

Metaphors aside, Adrian Stores, Football Partnerships Networking Captain for Manchester, has done a massive amount of preparation that we must simply wait for 27 August to arrive – that is, for those who have already confirmed their attendance. (Please RSVP to astores@footballpartnerships.com if you have not already. The guest list is filling up rapidly.)

As a direct result of Mr. Stores’ efforts, Football Partnerships has already secured the following partners for the event:

ACROBAT Consulting & Marketing LTD
Acrobat Consulting & Marketing LTD provides marketing, research, fundraising and sponsorship services. Backed by a full service design capability, through both in-house personnel or selected strategic alliances with credible partners, Acrobat provides clients with personal knowledge and senior management expertise.

Football Partnerships thanks ACROBAT Consulting & Marketing LTD for its support, and invites members to learn more about the company here:

Cheshire Conference Centre
Home to both Stockport County since 1902 and Sale Sharks since 2003, Cheshire Conference Centre offers a world-class venue both on and off the pitch. The premier choice for conference and banqueting in the North West, the facility is set within the unique surroundings of a fantastic sports club and offers five suites for all types of functions.

Football Partnerships thanks the Cheshire Conference Centre for its support, and invites members to learn more about the venue here:

Freestyle Football Federation
The F3 team brings a passion for football beyond the traditional game – creating friendships, traveling the world, learning about foreign cultures and striving to realize ambitions. Pushing physical and creative boundaries, the Freestyle Football Federation will join Football Partnerships at KICKOFF: MANCHESTER and provide a taste of the impossible.

Football Partnerships thanks Dan Wood and the Freestyle Football Federation for its support, and invites members to learn more about the organization here:

Grassroot Soccer
The Official Responsibility Partner of the FPN, Grassroot Soccer (GRS), an innovative non-profit organization that uses the power of football to eradicate HIV/AIDS in Africa, will support Football Partnerships in Manchester. As part of a bridge-building exercise, GRS will connect with our local responsibility partner, the Stockport County Football Club Community Foundation.

Football Partnerships thanks Grassroot Soccer for its support, and invites members to learn more about the organization here:

Mitchell Charlesworth Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors
Mitchell Charlesworth is one of the largest locally based practices of chartered accountants and business Advisors in the North West, with 16 partners and over 160 staff. The firm covers a wide range of activities and provides financial, taxation and business advice to both individuals and companies.

Football Partnerships thanks Mitchell Charlesworth for its support, and invites members to learn more about the company here:

Stockport County Football Club Community Foundation

The Stockport County Football Club Community Foundation (SCFCCF) performs local work through grassroots initiatives that incorporate football.

Football Partnerships welcomes SCFCCF, thanks it for its support and invites members to learn more about the organization here:

The Studio
For over 30 years, The Studio LTD has provided Greater Manchester with the leading creative services and production centers. Established to service mail order companies and advertising agencies, The Studio has blossomed into a brand known for stringent quality standards and attention to detail.

Football Partnerships thanks The Studio Ltd for its support, and invites members to learn more about the company here.

As the list of attendees grows, Football Partnerships continues to seek additional partners. Please contact Adrian Stores or Alex Kotler for more information.

France will invest €100 million into football stadiums to boost the country’s bid to host Euro 2016, revealed junior sports minister Bernard Laporte.

French Football Federation (FFF) president Jean-Pierre Escalettes officially launched France’s Euro 2016 campaign at FFF headquarters in Paris yesterday.

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Dubai-based airline, Emirates, extended its sponsorship agreement with French Ligue 1 club, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), until 2014.

Under the deal, Emirates will continue as the club’s main shirt sponsor and utilise extensive branding rights in the club’s famous, Parc des Princes stadium.

Boutros Boutros, Emirates’ Senior Vice President, Media Relations, Sponsorships and Events, said: “These are really exciting times for PSG and Emirates Airline, and that is why we are pledging our support to the club and its formidable legion of fans across France. At Emirates, we want to connect PSG fans both in France and across the world.”

Emirates has sponsored PSG since 2005 and has been the main shirt sponsor since 2006. The deal was brokered by sports marketing agency, Sportfive.

Article source: SportBusiness International