Saints excited by new shirt sponsors (From Warrington Guardian)

Saints excited by new shirt sponsors

SAINTS new shirt sponsor for the 2004 Tetley's Super League IX season is UK sports retail giant all:sports.

Added to that Puma, a key UK partner of all:sports has agreed to extend its initial three-year deal as 'Technical Partners' to a new five-year deal that will see the brand manufacturing the Saints kit until the end of 2008.

all:sports, who have a chain of over 280 stores nationwide, have secured an initial one-year sponsorship deal with The Saints, which will see their brand name appear on the front of Saints' new home and away strip during the 2004 season.

And with strong interest from the fans, shown by a growing number of pre-orders, the kit is already looking like a big hit for all three partners.

Commenting on the deal Saints CEO Sean McGuire said: "Developing the club's relationship with a global brand such as Puma is great news for everyone associated with the club and shows our intention to continue to build commercial partnerships with blue chip brands.

"The Puma brand is known the world over and as well as being a mark of excellence in sports performance it has also successfully crossed over into the fashion market where it is enjoying equal success.

"We believe that there is a synergy with the Saints brand and that is important to us when we talk to potential partners about long term agreements such as this.

"Likewise with all:sports, an exciting, high street, sports brand already associated with Premiership football in England and Scotland and we proud that they have chosen the Saints as the first step in the world of rugby and we look forward to a partnership which will drive business to both brands."

"We are absolutely delighted to be associated with St Helens for the 2004 season," Jeremy Bradburn, Managing Director, all:sports, announced.

"The sponsorship deal gives us a great opportunity to work with both the club and the Puma brands to bring Rugby League to as wide an audience as possible.

With over 280 stores nationwide and a very strong presence in the rugby league heartland, we look forward to providing a great service for everyone associated with the club".

Puma UK Managing Director, Andrew Peters enthused about the deal saying: "Everyone at Puma is delighted to extend and develop our relationship with Saints.

"Rugby League is a growing sport right across the UK and is an important part of our sports marketing mix.

"We believe that our partner is the number one brand within the game. The association with the Club can only be good for Puma, particularly with the new link with all:sports.

"We will continue to work with the club to develop exciting new merchandise ranges throughout the year and the Club are committed to supporting our efforts to drive generic Puma sales through all:sports, particularly our new rugby ranges."