Birmingham City Get New Shirt Sponsors

Leisure, entertainment and lifestyle provider, EZE Group has joined Birmingham City as a principal partner for the 2012/13 season.

The new sponsorship agreement will see EZE Group’s distinctive logo and branding appear on the front of all Blues’ home, away and third choice football shirts, as well as on training kits, bibs and match-day clothing worn by management and backroom staff.

The deal follows a highly successful commercial partnership last season when EZE Group were BCFC’s official travel, leisure and entertainment partners. Since then, and following the sustained growth of the company, EZE Group has sold its travel arm to a specialist travel company so it can focus on developing a range of lifestyle, leisure and entertainment experiences for members who access its concierge services.

As part of the new agreement EZE Group is set to benefit from a host of commercial sponsorship rights including perimeter advertising, prominent branding around St. Andrew’s and advertising on the club’s big screen. The partnership also includes sponsorship of six matches throughout the season, an executive box for ten guests at every home game and a website presence.

Blues’ new kit design for the forthcoming season is due to be unveiled over the next few weeks, but new manager Lee Clark was today set to welcome his players back for the first day of pre-season training and put the squad through their paces in training kit bearing the EZE Group brand. 

“Whilst there’s nothing easy about pre-season training, it’s tremendous to have secured EZE Group’s backing which means a lot to everyone associated with the club,” said the Blues boss.

Ian Dutton, Blues’ Commercial Manager, added: “Given the success of the commercial partnership last season, not to mention the achievements of the players on the pitch, we’re looking forward to building our relationship over the coming season by hopefully going one step further with the backing of our new principal partner.”

EZE Group runs a membership based concierge service which provides clients with a whole host of entertainment, leisure and lifestyle activities. Members can access a range of lifestyle pursuits including sporting events, theatre tickets, restaurant reservations and experience days. The company was formed in 2001 and now has offices throughout North America and Europe.

Abdul Rashid, EZE Group’s European Commercial Director, said: “Our successful partnership with Blues last season played an important role in building our profile and the fact that we have now agreed to become official principal partner, reflects the strength of the relationship we have built with the club.

“As well as promoting the EZE Group name through shirt sponsorship and ground advertising, we will also be sponsoring the popular player of the month competition, the official annual awards dinner and BCFC Golf Day. We also recognise the role Blues play in the local community and will be working with the club to promote the EZE Group charity foundation and develop other community-based initiatives.”