The Funky Deer: Handmade Gifts That Delight Your Fans
Fresh from winning New Business of the Year at the Rochdale Business Awards 2023, fcbusiness caught up with Christopher Taylor, Managing Director of The Funky Deer Sports Club Merchandise to find out more about the company that provides a range of bespoke products that will meet your needs and delight your fans.
Can you give us an overview of the company and what you do?
The Funky Deer Sports Club Merchandise is a UK based company located in Greater Manchester. We design, produce and supply unique merchandise for club shops, hospitality events and corporate meetings. We supply to a wide range of sports teams and cater for clubs from the English and Scottish Premier League right through to non-league and grassroots clubs. Most of our products are made from bamboo, wood, natural slate and acrylic and we pride ourselves on our environmentally friendly and sustainable range; we are now one of the leading companies for sustainable merchandise.
What kind of sports merchandise products do you offer?
Our products are unique and innovative; we strive to give the fans something different! Whether it’s a keyring, a bamboo wireless charger or a lightbox designed with the club’s crest, clubs love these bespoke products. Not only are they high quality items but clubs have the flexibility to work with us to design products to meet their needs and requirements.
What clubs do you currently work with?
We are currently working with around 100 professional sports clubs including football, cricket, rugby, basketball and ice hockey. Some of our highest profile clubs and organisations include: West Ham United, Rangers, Celtic, Scotland National Team and The National Football Museum. With all of these, we have established strong relationships and we work alongside them to ensure our products meet their requirements. Now that we are established in the UK, we aim to expand our business worldwide; we are making connections with a number of clubs overseas and these discussions have been positive so far.
How do you work with clubs to provide these products?
Our unique customer service is tailored to meet the needs of our clubs. The foundations of this are rooted in our excellent communication, strong trusting relationships and quick and reliable turnaround. We always offer to provide samples to clubs and from there, work closely with our clients to ensure their vision is turned into a high-quality product. Whether a club wants to be actively involved in the design element or simply be provided with a selection of ideas, we cater for all.
What is trending in the industry right now?
Sustainability is a priority for many businesses nowadays. As we are one of the leading companies for sustainable merchandise, many of our products exceed their requirements. Our bamboo and slate products (coasters, cheeseboards, wireless chargers, notebooks etc) are highly popular – not only do they help towards building a sustainable future but the fans love them!
What is your manufacturing process like and how important is sustainability in your products?
All our items are laser-engraved; they are high quality, durable and innovative. Our machines ensure the highest level of detail is achieved and enable us to produce thousands of products each week. As a result, our turnaround time is typically two to three weeks as all our products are manufactured in the UK. However, as mentioned above, we work closely with clubs and if needed, we can work flexibly to turn around products within a matter of days. Sustainability is our highest priority. We currently offer a wide range of products that are environmentally friendly and sustainable. As market leaders, we are constantly striving to further develop this range to ensure clubs have access to the most sustainable merchandise.
How do you manage peak demand times and what are your timeframes for orders?
Communication is key. We ensure our schedule is carefully planned and regularly reviewed to meet clubs’ requirements. As all our products are manufactured in the UK, our turnaround time is typically two to three weeks. However, as mentioned above, we can work flexibly to turn around products within a matter of days if necessary. At present, we are working on a two-week turnaround and are therefore still taking orders for Christmas and beyond.
If any clubs would like a free sample pack of products with their club crest on, please contact us on:
Email: chris@thefunkydeersportsclubmerchandise.co.uk
Tel: 07792474573
