Clydesdale Bank to end sponsorship of SPL in 2013

SCOTTISH Premier League chief executive Neil Doncaster hopes that the exposure given to member clubs in recent months, when controversy and drama has never been far away, could help to attract a new sponsor after Clydesdale Bank announced yesterday that it will finish its partnership at the end of the 2012-13 season.

The SPL now have 18 months to find a replacement for the Clydesdale Bank, who have been the title sponsor of Scottish football’s top flight since 2007.

But problems clubs have faced on and off the field which have created headlines could work in the SPL’s favour, reckons Doncaster. He said: “I think that a number of issues have arisen over the last couple of years and that corresponds to a time when interest in the SPL – and the number of viewers we’re getting watching our games on television – is going up and up.

“There’s clearly a very high level of exposure that the league gets from those sorts of issues and that clearly creates a real opportunity for any companies coming in who want to maximise the exposure for their brands.”

He added: “The SPL and Clydesdale Bank have enjoyed an extremely successful partnership and the relationship has gone from strength to strength over the years. I would like to thank the Clydesdale Bank for their support and commitment and look forward to working alongside the Clydesdale Bank to ensure the final 18 months of the partnership continue that great success.

“Work now begins on seeking a new title sponsor for the foremost sporting competition in Scotland. The Scottish Premier League has consistently demonstrated that it provides terrific value to sponsors.

“I am sure that success will be important in the work we now undertake.”

Steve Reid, retail director of the Clydesdale Bank, said: “It has been a privilege to support Scottish football. We entered into the sponsorship to raise awareness of our brand and it is fair to say we will have achieved more than we could have hoped for.

“However, we believe that at the end of our current deal in 2013 the time will be right to hand the partnership over and, in making the announcement now, we are giving the SPL 18 months in which to find the league’s next sponsor. We remain firmly committed to the remaining period of the sponsorship and look forward to working with the SPL throughout this time.”