MVPs: Knockout sports sponsorships in construction

• HG construction x Stevenage Football Club

In 2023, HG Construction signed a two-year sponsorship agreement with Stevenage FC, with its logo on both men’s and women’s First Team shirts for the 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons.

HG was founded in 2000 by Chris Benham, specialising in residential, student accommodation, commercial and hotel schemes.

The Hitchin-based firm reported turnover of £424 million in its latest financial results.

Stevenage FC is an EFL League One team, founded in 1976, with its highest league finish at sixth place during the 2011–12 season and recording its best run in the FA Cup reaching the fifth round of the competition.

Currently managed by former Cardiff City player Alex Revell, the team is placed 14th in the league.

In celebration of the 20-year partnership Northampton’s 20/21 kit features Travis Perkins’ logo on the front of the team’s shirt. 

• Northampton Saints x Travis Perkins 

For more than 20 years, Northampton-based builders’ merchant Travis Perkins has been the main sponsor for current Premiership Rugby champions, the Northampton Saints.

The Saints were founded in 1880, winning seven major titles and becoming European Champions in 2000 and English Champions in 2014.

Travis Perkins was began life in 1797, before becoming listed on the London Stick Exchange in 1986, with its latest revenue reported at £2.47 billion in 2023.

In 2021, the team extended its long-term partnership with TP until at least 2025, evolving the role to as the Club’s Headline Community Partner.

In celebration of the 20-year partnership Northampton’s 20/21 kit features Travis Perkins’ logo on the front of the team’s shirt. 

• Jewson x Western Football League 

Builders’ merchants Jewson recently announced a three-year sponsorship deal with the Western Football League.

The League, formed originally in 1892 as the Bristol & District League, covers Bristol, Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, western Dorset, parts of Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.

As Jewson is its main sponsor, the league is also known as the Jewson Western League.

Jewson was founded in 1836 by George Jewson and is one of the largest chains of British general builders’ merchants, selling to small and medium building contractors.

In 2022, the firm was sold by Saint-Gobain to Denmark-headquartered Stark Group for £740 million. 

• Classic Builders x Plymouth Argyle FC 

In August, Plymouth-based building firm Classic Builders SW Ltd partnered with Wayne Rooney managed team, Plymouth Argyle FC.

Teaming up with the Lighthouse Charity, Classic Builders, which operates in Devon and Cornwall, unveiled its newly launched logo on the front of the team’s shirt.

The former Manchester United player’s team was founded in 1886, competing in the  EFL Championship and playing at stadium Home Park since 1901, currently placed 18th in the 2045/25 season.

• Gallagher Premiership Rugby

Construction insurance firm Gallagher has been supporting club rugby at both a community and professional level for more than a decade

Since 2018, the firm has been the official title sponsor of Premiership Rugby.

Known as Gallagher Premiership Rugby, the league first began in 1987 and is regarded as one of the three top-level professional leagues in the Northern and Western Hemispheres.

Founded by Arthur J. Gallagher in Chicago in 1927, Gallagher employs more than 52,000 people and our global network provides services in more than 130 countries.

• Oliver Connell & Son x Hanwell FC

Earlier this year, Oliver Connell & Son announced it had been selected as the main sponsor for Hanwell Town F.C., following unprecedented growth for the tier one contractor.

The South Greenford groundworks and concrete frame contractor shared the new home kits for the 2024/25 season on social media.

The kit features their logo emblazoned on the front of the team’s striped black and white shirt.

The 50-year family-run business returned to  a record profit margin this year, generating a pre-tax profit of £20.2 million for the year ended 30 June 2024.

Hanwell Town F.C., founded in 1920, is currently ranked ninth in the Southern Football League, FA Cup ahead of the upcoming season. 

• Selco x Professional Darts Corporation

In 2015, builders’ merchants Selco announced an eight-year sponsorship deal with the Professional Darts Corporation. 

The corporation was formed in 1992 and has since become the biggest organisation in the sport, developing and holding several championship competitions, including the PDC World Darts Championship and the World Matchplay.

Owned and operated by Grafton Group, Selco began life as Sewell & Co (Timber) Ltd in 1895 before changing its name in 1982.

Group revenue from 1 January 2024 to 30 June 2024 was £1.14 billion (H1 2023: £1.19 billion), down 4.4 per cent from the previous year. 

• Falcons x Hitachi Construction Machinery

Hitachi Construction Machinery UK Ltd is responsible for the supply of excavators, wheel loaders, parts and servicing to the UK and Irish construction industry.

Formed 50 years ago, Hitachi produces the largest range of hydraulic excavators in the world.

Last year, the firm announced a partnership with Premiership Rugby team the Newcastle Falcons.

The team was established in 187, and has won five major titles, including Premiership in 1998 and four domestic cups in 1976, 1977, 2001 and 2004.

• Gallagher Group

Last year, Gallagher Group signed a three-year sponsorship deal with Leitrim GAA county senior football team.

The club represents the same county in Ireland in which Group founder and boss Pat Gallagher was born and raised.

Gallagher bought his first JCB digger in 1973 using a £2,200 loan and the business was born.

The company has now been in business more than 50 years.

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