NORTON ATHLETIC FOOTBALL CLUB

SPONSORSHIP POLICY

Version: 1.0

Effective Date: 1 July 2026

Review Date: Annually

Approved By: Board of Directors

 

1. PURPOSE

The purpose of this Sponsorship Policy is to establish a professional framework for securing, managing and delivering sponsorship opportunities that support the growth and long-term sustainability of Norton Athletic Football Club.

The Club recognises sponsorship as a vital source of income that helps fund:

• Football development

• Clubhouse improvements

• Equipment purchases

• Ground maintenance

• Community programmes

• Floodlighting projects

• Future 3G facility development

The Club seeks to build long-term mutually beneficial partnerships with local, regional and national businesses.

 

2. OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the Club’s sponsorship programme are:

• Generate recurring commercial income.

• Increase sponsor visibility.

• Support local businesses.

• Create long-term partnerships.

• Improve Club facilities.

• Reduce reliance on player contributions.

• Fund community football development.

 

3. SPONSORSHIP PRINCIPLES

The Club shall seek sponsorship arrangements that:

• Reflect positively on the Club.

• Align with community values.

• Provide value for sponsors.

• Support long-term sustainability.

• Enhance the supporter experience.

The Club reserves the right to decline sponsorship opportunities that may damage its reputation.

 

4. SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

The Club may offer sponsorship opportunities including but not limited to:

Team Sponsorship

• First Team Home Shirt Sponsor

• First Team Away Shirt Sponsor

• Warm-Up Shirt Sponsor

• Match Day Polo Sponsor

• Training Kit Sponsor

Ground Sponsorship

• Pitch-Side Advertising Boards

• Dugout Sponsorship

• Players Tunnel Sponsorship

• Goal Sponsorship

• Floodlight Sponsorship

• Scoreboard Sponsorship

Clubhouse Sponsorship

• Clubhouse Naming Rights

• Bar Sponsorship

• Lounge Sponsorship

• Events Sponsorship

Digital Sponsorship

• Website Advertising

• Homepage Sponsorship

• Social Media Sponsorship

• Email Newsletter Sponsorship

Matchday Sponsorship

• Match Sponsor

• Match Ball Sponsor

• Player of the Match Sponsor

Community Sponsorship

• Youth Development Sponsor

• Community Programme Sponsor

• Fundraising Campaign Sponsor

Future Infrastructure Sponsorship

• 3G Pitch Sponsorship

• Stand Sponsorship

• Facility Naming Rights

 

5. DIGITAL SPONSORSHIP PLATFORM

The Club intends to operate an online sponsorship platform through:

www.nortonathletic.uk

Sponsors may:

• Browse packages online.

• Purchase packages online.

• Pay securely online.

• Download sponsorship information.

• Renew sponsorships digitally.

Payments may be processed via:

• Stripe

• Debit Card

• Credit Card

• Bank Transfer

The Club aims to make sponsorship as simple and accessible as possible.

 

6. PITCH-SIDE ADVERTISING

The Club may offer pitch-side advertising boards.

Typical package:

• One advertising board

• One football season

• Inclusion on sponsor page

Indicative pricing:

£150 per board per season

Pricing may be amended by the Board from time to time.

Sponsors shall be responsible for providing approved artwork.

 

7. SHIRT SPONSORSHIP

Shirt sponsorship opportunities may include:

• Front of Shirt

• Back of Shirt

• Sleeve Sponsorship

• Training Wear

• Warm-Up Shirts

Where possible, sponsors shall also receive additional exposure through:

• Merchandise sales

• Website promotion

• Social media promotion

The Club recognises that merchandise sales increase sponsor visibility and value.

 

8. CLUBHOUSE SPONSORSHIP

The Clubhouse represents a significant future commercial opportunity.

Potential sponsorship opportunities include:

• Building naming rights

• Lounge sponsorship

• Bar sponsorship

• Event sponsorship

• Fixture board sponsorship

The Club may offer exclusive arrangements where appropriate.

 

9. WEBSITE SPONSORSHIP

The Club website may provide:

• Sponsor listings

• Featured sponsor positions

• Banner advertising

• Homepage promotion

• Sponsor directories

Sponsors may receive backlinks to their websites where appropriate.

 

10. SOCIAL MEDIA PROMOTION

Sponsors may receive promotion through:

• Facebook

• Instagram

• X (Twitter)

• LinkedIn

• Website articles

Promotion levels shall depend on the sponsorship package purchased.

 

11. SPONSOR BENEFITS

Benefits may include:

• Brand visibility

• Community engagement

• Matchday exposure

• Website exposure

• Merchandise exposure

• Social media promotion

• Networking opportunities

The Club shall seek to maximise sponsor value wherever possible.

 

12. EXCLUSIVITY

Certain sponsorship opportunities may be offered on an exclusive basis.

Examples may include:

• Clubhouse naming rights

• Shirt sponsorship

• Floodlight sponsorship

The Board shall determine whether exclusivity applies.

 

13. TERM OF SPONSORSHIP

Unless otherwise agreed:

Sponsorship agreements shall run for one football season.

Renewal opportunities shall be offered where possible.

 

14. SPONSOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Sponsors shall:

• Provide artwork promptly.

• Make payments when due.

• Avoid conduct that may damage the Club’s reputation.

• Comply with applicable laws and regulations.

The Club reserves the right to refuse or terminate sponsorship arrangements where necessary.

 

15. PROHIBITED SPONSORSHIPS

The Club may refuse sponsorships that:

• Conflict with FA regulations.

• Damage the Club’s reputation.

• Conflict with safeguarding principles.

• Are inconsistent with community values.

The Board’s decision shall be final.

 

16. TERMINATION

The Club reserves the right to terminate sponsorship agreements where:

• Payment is not received.

• Terms are breached.

• Conduct damages the Club’s reputation.

Any termination shall be considered fairly and proportionately.

 

17. REVENUE ALLOCATION

Sponsorship income shall be used to support:

• Football development

• Club operations

• Facility improvements

• Community programmes

• Strategic projects

Examples include:

• Floodlighting

• Clubhouse improvements

• Equipment purchases

• Future 3G development

 

18. LONG-TERM VISION

The Club’s sponsorship programme forms part of a wider strategy to create a sustainable community football club.

The Club’s ambition includes:

• Increasing attendance

• Growing membership

• Expanding sponsorship

• Improving facilities

• Supporting community football

• Delivering future infrastructure projects

Sponsors play an important role in helping the Club achieve these objectives.

 

19. REVIEW

This policy shall be reviewed annually.

The Board may amend sponsorship packages, pricing and benefits from time to time.

Approved by Norton Athletic Football Club

Version 1.0

Effective from 1 July 2026

Review Date: Annually

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