Trade Union sponsors Ayr United Academy

Dec 26 2008

A LOCAL branch of the UK’s biggest trade union, UNITE, has put its weight behind the Ayr United Football Academy with a sponsorship of their talented young footballers programme.

The T&G section of Unite - Branch 7/60/15, have backed the project to the tune of £1200, which will see the 'Unite' logo appear on the back of all the home shirts of the Academy’s Youth development teams.

Announcing the deal, branch secretary, Dennis McLellan said "the Academy was exactly the sort of organization we were happy to be involved with. The Academy is a community organisation that is seeking to develop and educate youngsters - to give its young players the best possible help and opportunity to achieve their goals is something that we as a trade union can identify with.”

He added: “The aims of the Academy sit perfectly with the objectives of UNITE. In today’s economic climate the values of trade union membership have never been more important and through recognition of our name, it will let young people identify with the activities of a trade union and show them that trade unions are very much part of the community as well. We wish everyone involved in the Academy every success in reaching their goals.”

Academy director John Dalton added: “We are indebted to UNITE for this sponsorship which will give us the opportunity to further enhance our talented young footballers programme. As a not-for-profit organisation, we rely on the support of the local community for our development and to have the local backing of the biggest trade union in the country is a clear indication that we are moving in the right direction and we look forward to working with them to promote our shared values in the future.”

Pictured: from left: Neil McGowan (under 19 coach), Vince Graham (Unite branch chair), Ian MacLellan (Unite branch vice chair), Malky Boyle (under 19 coach).