In sport as in business, timing can be everything.
But Exeter lettings agents Kirkham Gould could hardly have anticipated that shortly after agreeing a corporate hospitality and sponsorship deal with Exeter City Football Club, the team would win to go through to the League Two final at Wembley.This Sunday, May 28, Exeter City will take on Blackpool for a place in League One next season, after beating Carlisle United last Thursday with a dramatic injury-time goal from Jack Stacey.
As enthusiastic Exeter City fans, Kirkham Gould’s directors Matt Gould, Kelly Mann and Tom Kirkham were cheering the victory over Carlisle United from the stands at St James Park and will be travelling to Wembley Stadium for the final.
But next season they and their corporate guests will be able to enjoy Exeter City’s home matches from the VIP surroundings of the club’s Heritage Lounge, with fantastic views of the action on the pitch along with a private bar, 60” plasma TV screens and top-of-the-league catering.
Being able to offer the chance to watch Exeter City in action from the Heritage Lounge will be a coup for Kirkham Gould – but even if City are not promoted, the company are still delighted to have come on board with the club, in a deal which also includes sponsoring their Ticket Booth.
From next season the busy office will carry Kirkham Gould’s logo and corporate branding, promoting the partnership to fans queuing up for tickets.
Tom Kirkham said: “We’re delighted to be working alongside Exeter City Football Club, we love the sport, so when the opportunity to be involved with our local club came up there was no way we could turn it down. It has been an amazing season and the rollercoaster is still going, we are very excited to be a part of that and the seasons to come.”
“Exeter City have an incredibly loyal army of fans and the club is an important part of the community, so we’re proud to become its partners and sponsors.”
Exeter City’s head of commercial Mark Jenkins said, “It’s great to have Kirkham Gould on board as our business partners – especially since they’re such big fans of the team. It’s a real win-win situation – and Exeter City like winning! I hope Kirkham Gould and their guests really enjoy using our Heritage Lounge, we’re really proud of the facilities and the excellent hospitality we offer there.”
The exciting finale to the season for Exeter City comes less than two weeks after the club confirmed that work will finally start on its long-planned £3.5 million pound redevelopment next month.
Exeter City and Kirkham Gould celebrated their new partnership a few days ago at the Citygate Hotel, together with Dana Mulligan, director of the marketing, PR and events company Dana Mulligan Consulting, which takes pride in bringing local businesses together for mutual benefit.
The football club and Kirkham Gould are now both looking forward to starting the new season in style – regardless of the result at Wembley on Sunday.