ALLOA WOMEN have secured a massive sponsor for the front of their shirts as they prepare for the league season.
The team have secured sponsorship from Affinity Sterling Mills Outlet, in Tillicoultry, with the retail village throwing their support behind the team.
The sponsorship was confirmed by the club on Monday, while the management and leadership team in the club met with representatives from Sterling Mills on Friday, September 13 to officially launch the partnership.
Women’s manager Allan Milne spoke with the Advertiser during the kit launch to share his thoughts on Sterling Mills’ support.
“This is a massive sponsor for us,” Milne said. “Sterling Mills is a massive identity and outlet.
“Growing up as a kid, I always knew about Sterling Mills so I think this is massive for us and the fact that they want to invest in the Women’s team and invest in us is brilliant.
“We can only see that as a positive going forward and hopefully we can make it a successful partnership and hopefully we can do a lot of things in the future.”
The Sterling Mills logo will be worn on the front of the team’s home kits to be played during games held at the Recs.
The kit launch was attended by Milne, his assistant manager Ryan Cairney-Smith, representatives from Sterling Mills and also the four players who form part of the leadership group at Alloa.
These include Teri-Louise Deegan, Devyn Thompson, Lesley Munro and Amy Cully, who posed with the new kits featuring the sponsor.
Cairney-Smith added: “As Allan said, this is such a big place and everyone knows Sterling Mills.
“To have them associated with Alloa and in particular the women’s team, this could be massive for us.
“There’s a lot that they can do to help us but at the same time, we can do a lot to help them as well.
“This is definitely the right step for the Women’s team to get ourselves out there.”
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The partnership will be beneficial for both parties – Alloa receive a huge sponsor which will further their development, while Sterling Mills get their brand represented during their games.
The sponsorship was helped to be put together by Nicola Martin, centre manager for Affinity Sterling Mills, who was delighted to show her support.
She said: “We are thrilled to support Alloa Athletic Women’s Football Club, a fantastic representation of passion and commitment in local sports.
“At Affinity Sterling Mills, we are proud to play a part in fostering the growth of women’s football in our community and look forward to seeing the team’s success on and off the pitch.”
The season so far has seen them unbeaten in the cup and also progress in their Scottish Cup tie.
Milne added: “We spoke to the guys at Sterling Mills about how we can work together, push the team forward and help grow the Alloa Athletic Women’s brand.
“We want to try and get it out there more, make it more positive and try get more people in through the door.
“It’s about just kicking on in the League Cup now, we’ve got two games left in that and then hopefully get ready for the league and be successful in that side of it.
“That shows Sterling Mills our commitment to getting better, being a better club and moving up the leagues which will show more branding and exposure for them.
“We’re in a good place at the moment and we just need to keep working on it.”
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