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Signing City shirt deal made me so proud, says sponsor (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)
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Signing City shirt deal made me so proud, says sponsor
6:50am Thursday 19th February 2009
City’s new shirt sponsorship will have an added poignancy next season.
MAP Group (UK) have taken up the reins from Bradford & Bingley after signing a deal that is “more than acceptable” according to the club.
And managing director David Keighley admitted it will be a particularly special moment for him when he watches City take to the field sporting his company logo.
Keighley watched Tuesday’s draw with Darlington, the first time he had been back to Valley Parade since his father died three years ago.
He said: “I was a season-ticket holder until then but since my dad passed away I had not been back. So to do this sponsorship deal is emotional and I’m sure my dad would be really proud.
“The thought of City playing in shirts with our company name on makes the hairs stand up on the back of my neck.”
MAP Group (UK), a national supplier of installation engineers for companies such as Virgin Media, are based in the north-east but they employ around 30 engineers in the Bradford area – and boast two City fans on the board.
Director of operations Andy Long and his family are season-ticket holders and make the trip from Teesside to Valley Parade for every home game.
Keighley added: “Andy and I have got real ties with the city.
“We’re both Bradford born and bred so this is a proud moment.
“It just feels right. The family angle the club have gone down in recent years is really coming through now.
“It’s a great atmosphere when you come here and the management team at the club are genuine people.
“Sometimes you see the sponsors are far too remote and in it purely for commercial reasons. That’s not why we want to get involved.”
And Keighley would love to see the sponsorship deal kick in with City back in League One.
He added: “It would be fantastic. As someone said the other day, maybe MAP should stand for ‘must achieve promotion’!”
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Your Say YourBradford
Waynus, BD6 says...
3:00pm Thu 19 Feb 09
Dugoutboy wrote:...And Freddy!
Mr Keighley said He added: “It would be fantastic. As someone said the other day, maybe MAP should stand for ‘must achieve promotion’!” As pointed out by Freddy It's nice to see that other people do read our comments on here and make reference to them Well done Mr Keighley and Mr Baldwin
At least Mr Keighley thought is was funny and responded to it.
A good deal for all concerned and I hope MAP have a long and successful relationship with the club.
boparob, Bradford says...
6:32pm Thu 19 Feb 09
Your sayYour Bradford
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City director of operations Dave Baldwin with MAP Group (UK) managing director David Keighley
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Dugoutboy, Keighley says...
11:53am Thu 19 Feb 09
He added: “It would be fantastic. As someone said the other day, maybe MAP should stand for ‘must achieve promotion’!”
As pointed out by Freddy
It's nice to see that other people do read our comments on here and make reference to them
Well done Mr Keighley and Mr Baldwin