St Helens RFC - Sponsors

Sponsors

St Helens have attracted a wide range of sponsors, from both small—time local firms to national businesses. However, they, along with most clubs, did not initially have any corporate partners. Their first main sponsors, displayed on the front of their jerseys, were St Helens Glass in 1985. The club then agreed a contract with Pilkington, remaining attached to the glass making history within the town. They remained sponsors until 1991 when McEwan's took over to sponsor the club. A successful partnership saw them remain until 1999. John Smith's Brewery then became sponsors, St Helens keeping links with beer companies. This companies reign as main sponsor was short lived, and the club once again attracted the name of St Helens Glass to the jerseys. By 2003, the club were becoming an ever—larger name on the rugby league and sporting world, and were attracting big money sponsors from around the world. Comodo sponsored the club until 2005, when Earth Money became the clubs largest sponsor in their history, and invested in a renovation of Knowsley Road. However, when the company went bust in 2007, St Helens were left without sponsors in a sudden turnaround. However, the local companies that the club had previously turned to for sponsorship would not let the club down, and once more Pilkington appeared on the front of the jerseys. This contract lasted until 2010. In 2010, St Helens unusually, and perhaps, although not admittedly, due to financial needs, had two sponsors for their home and away jerseys. Frontline Bathrooms, a collar sponsor from 2009 featured on the home shirts while Medicash, a Liverpool based medical insurance group appeared on the away jerseys. In 2011, St Helens saw fit to be sponsored by Medicash alone. Outside of mainline sponsors, St Helens also have partnerships with companies in other corporate means. GPW Recruitment sponsored Knowsley Road stadium, although it is not clear whether that partnership will continue with their protracted new stadium for 2012. The club also have collar and sleeve sponsors now, with numerous sponsors advertised around their ground. Hattons Solicitors (back collar sponsors), Knowsley Safari Park (sleeve sponsor), James Edward Land Rover (sleeve sponsor), Arriva (corporate travel sponsor), Hattons Travel (travel sponsor), Macmillan Cancer Support (stadium partner), Playing for Success (education partners) and Emirates (overseas travel sponsor) are just some examples of the partnerships the club has been able to build up over the years, with their success on the field.