BUFFALOES FACE EXTINCTION AS CRUNCH BITES!



One of West Yorkshire’s most successful and progressive sporting teams could become a victim of the Credit Crunch if they can’t find a main shirt sponsor soon!

Bramley Buffaloes Rugby League Club, who play in the third division of the Co-operative National structure, are urgently on the look out for a major backer before their 2009 season starts in April.

According to Head Coach Mark Butterill the future of the community owned club is at risk: “We desperately need a main sponsor as this represents one of our only sources of income aside of season-ticket sales and merchandise!

“We’ve got a fit and motivated squad that is raring to go and ready to reach a fifth consecutive Grand Final but that’s all at risk because finding a commercial backer for the club is proving very very difficult in these tough times.

“We’ve had fantastic successes in the six years since we revived a senior rugby league club and have hundreds of supporters keen to see the lads back in action but because we don’t have our own ground and ability to generate ongoing funds we are at a major disadvantage.

“I’m an immensely proud Bramley lad who played for the original professional outfit in the nineties and I’m as pleased as punch to be carrying the baton on from Paul.

“I’m well aware of the prominent position that Bramley holds in the history of rugby league as the first club to challenge the existing order in the late nineteenth century.

“We cannot let that heritage and history disappear again as it did in 1999 when the club suffered a slow death after selling off its McLaren Field home ground!” added Mark who helped to mastermind three victorious league campaigns with former coach Paul Cook, now with Super League’s Huddersfield Giants.

The Buffaloes, who were reformed in 2003 after a concerted community effort, open their season with a trip to Warrington Wizards on April 11th but that fixture could well go by the wayside if the club do not find a replacement for the Co-operative that has sponsored the club for the last five seasons.

Chairman Martyn Cheney explained: “We recognise it’s tough for everyone but we can offer an immense amount in return for a minimum £5,000 deal including thousands of pounds worth of valuable exposure. We sell around 250 replica shirts a season alone and regularly generated hundreds of thousands of pounds of publicity for the Co-operative that was recognised by the UK’s sports marketing industry.

“We’ve also marketed ourselves as well as any rugby league club but we’re drawing a blank on finding a new backer and we need help now!” added Cheney who is hoping to deliver an innovative free entry for all first home match against Nottingham Outlaws ….as long as a sponsor can be found!

The club is launching sales of season-tickets priced at just £35 (£17 for concessions) that covers nine home games at the Arthur Miller Stadium, home of Stanningley SARLC.

For more details contact Martyn on 07903 246337.