Irish FA unveils Danske Bank as new Premiership sponsors
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| Pictured at Windsor Park (L-R) Aubry Ralph, Chairman of the Irish FA Premiership Management Committee; Gerry Mallon, Northern Bank Chief Executive, and Patrick Nelson, Irish FA Chief Executive. |
The
Irish FA today announced Danske Bank as the new title sponsor of the
Premiership.
The
Danske Bank Premiership, as the league will now be named, kicks off on 11
August and marks a significant investment by the bank in local
football.
Danske
Bank is the parent company of local bank Northern Bank, which will
rebrand as Danske Bank in November.
Irish
FA Chief Executive Patrick Nelson is excited by the new sponsorship, saying:
“We are absolutely delighted to announce this sponsorship. The Danske Bank
Premiership is the flagship competition in domestic football in Northern
Ireland and is followed by thousands of loyal supporters each
week.
“Danske
Bank is a great example of the calibre of partners that we are attracting
and working with. This investment into the highest level of our local game will
be a huge support in developing the league; and along with media exposure, will
undoubtedly help to raise the Premiership’s profile and attendance at games
around the country.”
Northern
Bank Chief Executive Gerry Mallon said: “The Danske Bank Premiership is a
really significant and exciting sponsorship for us and marks the first time our
new brand identity will be visible in the market. This is another sign of Danske
Bank’s commitment to the local market. Like ourselves, the Irish FA has
a long heritage in Northern Ireland as an integral part of the local community
so this Premiership sponsorship is a great fit for both organisations. We look
forward to working in partnership with the Irish FA and to the start of the new
season.”
The
opening fixtures in the 2012/13 Danske Bank Premiership see champions
Linfield travel to Ballymena United, whilst newcomers Ballinamallard United open
with a home fixture against Dungannon Swifts. Cliftonville welcome Glenavon to
Solitude, Coleraine face Crusaders, Glentoran play Donegal Celtic, and Portadown
tackle Lisburn Distillery in what is sure to be an exciting open day in the
Danske Bank Premiership.
Danske
Bank Premiership – Saturday 11 August 2012 (3pm
kick-off)
Ballinamallard
United v Dungannon Swifts
Ballymena
United v Linfield
Cliftonville v Glenavon
Coleraine v Crusaders
Glentoran
v Donegal Celtic
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