The season isn’t quite over just yet, but the Northwest Football Awards has already snapped up a title after confirming MBNA, the leading credit card firm, as official naming rights partner for the third year running.
The partnership was announced at the launch of the 2016 MBNA Northwest Football Awards, attended by the great and good of the beautiful game at Australasia, Manchester.
Head of Partnership Management for MBNA, Patricia Brassil Poole, was among the guests at the launch party, hosted by Hugh Ferris, as the Chester-based business was confirmed as naming rights partner at the event.
Patricia Brassil Poole, said: “At MBNA we believe in the benefits of connecting business with sports fans and are proud to be involved in honouring the North West’s top flight football talent for the third year running. We are based in the North West where football has such deep roots.
“We’ve collaborated with partners across the world of football to build a strong portfolio of club-branded credit cards. The fans of clubs like Liverpool and Manchester United carry the credit cards we provide for them. They can show support for the club they love every time they pay for goods and services.”
She added: “MBNA regularly invests in sport in the region through sponsorships and association with a wide range of organisations including Chester FC, Chester Marathon and Chester Races.
“Sponsorship of this prestigious event in the region’s football calendar is a key opportunity for MBNA to join fans and clubs in celebrating the outstanding football talent in the region.”
Over the coming months, thousands of fans – from the elite of the game to grass roots fans, from the community and businesses – will vote for a succession of major honours.
All awards, including the coveted Lifetime Achievement accolade, will be announced and presented at the MBNA Northwest Football Awards at The Point, Emirates Old Trafford on Monday, 14th November.
At the launch event, Kevin Davies – the former Bolton Wanderers, Blackburn Rovers and Preston North End star – collected a Special Recognition Award for his Contribution to Northwest Football.
Kevin enjoyed a prestigious 22-year playing career, in which he amassed 820 career appearances, scoring 150 goals during spells with Chesterfield, Southampton, Blackburn Rovers, Millwall, Preston North End and, most notably, Bolton Wanderers, where he became a fans favourite during a 10-year spell and maintains his legendary status.
Laura Wolfe, managing director of Wolfe and the MBNA Northwest Football Awards said: “Since acquiring the NWFA in June 2012, the awards continue to grow in profile and stature.
“This is evident not only by the level of attendance from all professional clubs across the Northwest, but also by high-profile partners we are securing and retaining like MBNA. We were delighted to have their support for the 2014 and 2015 Awards and thrilled to have them on board again for 2016, and we look forward to building the relationship across all things football.”
The MBNA Northwest Football Awards (NWFA) celebrates the region’s footballing elite and pays tribute to those who have achieved footballing excellence both on and off the field in the 2015/2016 season.
