Record deal for Hearts

HEARTS today announced a record sponsorship deal with leading UK sports retailer all:sports.

The three-year agreement, which will also see sportswear giant Reebok manufacture the Jambos kit, is believed to be worth £1million to the Tynecastle outfit.

Chief executive Chris Robinson was delighted to secure such high-profile companies and insisted the bumper package heralds the dawn of a new era for the Gorgie club.

“This is a very significant announcement,” he said.

“We are pleased to have attracted one of the biggest retailers in the sports industry as our new sponsor while securing the contract with Reebok places the Hearts brand alongside one of the world’s leading sportswear companies.” The contract with all:sports, the largest such commercial deal in the history of the club, marks the end of a ten-year association with Strongbow.

And Robinson is confident the landmark agreement will excite supporters and help see Hearts flourish off the park.

“Importantly for all Hearts supporters, this will give greater access to our teamwear and also a wide range of quality sportswear and equipment,” he said.

“This promises to be a winning partnership. As a family club we are delighted that our club sponsor is a retailer of sportswear and we can jointly promote health and fitness.” All:sports have over 200 outlets in Britain, with 23 shops in Scotland including sites at Cameron Toll and the St James Centre in Edinburgh. A new flagship store is also set to open in Princes Street next month and the new strips will be on sale from the all:sports network and the Hearts Superstore from the middle of May.

Italian manufacturers Errea have been on board at Tynecastle for the past two seasons but will terminate their association with the club in the summer, a year early, after both parties agreed to bring the current deal to an amicable end.

As part of the new deal, which is linked to performance and sales, Reebok will be responsible for supplying kit for the complete range of Hearts’ football operations from the first team down to the youths.

The link-up with Hearts marks Reebok’s first venture into the Scottish Premier League – they are the current manufacturers for Liverpool and Bolton in the English Premiership.

Managing director Dave Singleton said: “The deal with Hearts is very significant for us, reinforcing our commitment to football and Scottish football in particular.

“We look forward to being able to play a part in the future success of the club.”

Hearts boss Craig Levein, just returned from a spying mission to France with a winger his priority for the new season, spoke of his delight at the news. “For the club to now have on board a high quality and leading brand is fantastic news,” he said. “Reebok will, I am sure, prove to be a partner of some significance for Hearts and all:sports, as the new club sponsor, will benefit from a relationship that will undoubtedly enhance their presence in Scotland.

“Hearts fans everywhere will be excited with the announcement.”

Captain Steven Pressley believes the new deal will have a positive affect on the park, too.

He said: “All of the players will get an extra boost when it comes to pulling on the new kit. For Reebok to have chosen Hearts as their Scottish partner speaks volumes for the club.

Taken from the Scotsman