Longridge CC celebrate new kit and sponsorship deals

The club, due to start their Northern Premier Cricket League season next month, has agreed four-year deals with kit manufacturer Surridge and sponsor Fitbiotics.

It means Surridge continue their association with the club, which goes back to 2006.

Fitbiotics is a Lancashire-based manufacturer and supplier of a range of specialist wellbeing products.

Established more than 20 years ago, Fitbiotics distributes its products throughout the UK and overseas.

The company is owned by Andrew Croft, father of U14 player and junior member Hugo, as well as one of the junior girls, Harriet.

“We opened talks with him (Croft) in December,” explained Longridge first XI player and executive committee member, Ian Simpson.

“We had a sponsor lined up for last year but when Covid-19 hit, it went quiet so Andrew has stepped in and taken it on.

“He’s more than happy for us to promote his brand how we see fit – he’s done nothing but help us.

“With the kit, we’ve gone through a competitive tender with Surridge and a number of other manufacturers.

“Surridge came back with a fantastic deal and we’re working with them for another four years, so we’re looking to build that relationship further.

“Four years with Surridge and Andrew means continuity and we aren’t changing tops every year because of a new logo for the kit manufacturer or a different sponsor.”

After a shortened season last year as a result of the pandemic, the hope is that 2021 can be as near to a normal schedule as possible.

The club’s AGM outlined how the club had suffered a drop in bar income as a consequence of Covid-19 but, by the same token, their financial situation was healthy.

At the same time, membership subscriptions funds will be reduced this year following the decision to roll over last year’s as a gesture of goodwill.

The club’s sole debt is the remaining £5,000 to be repaid from the £75,000 used for clubhouse development a decade ago – but that is due to be settled during the 2020/21 accounting year.

“That’s testament to the executive committee and the decisions that are made,” Simpson said.

“We’re fortunate we were in a stable financial position before Covid-19 happened.”

There is also the possibility of driving the club forward now Barratts have opted against taking up a purchase option on their ground.

That ability to put down further roots at Newsham should help the club in its bid to grow further.

Simpson said: “We can start to look internally, now we know we’re staying for a long time.

“We don’t want to stand still, we like to give people something to look forward to when they come along.

“We want them to see the money they put into the club doesn’t get spent on people and professionals.”

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