Danske Bank and the NI Football League are calling for nominations for this season’s Danske Bank Premiership club SuperFans!
Whilst football is currently suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic we have the opportunity to reflect and reaffirm the importance of our clubs to their communities and supporters.
As we witness many charitable and good will causes being led by clubs, their boards, players and volunteers the NI Football League, in partnership with Danske Bank, want to recognise the lifeblood of our clubs – the supporters.
We want you to nominate a Danske Bank Premiership SuperFan and give them a chance to be acknowledged for their passion and commitment to their club, plus win a season ticket for the 2020/21 campaign.
Andrew Johnston, NI Football League Managing Director said: “Everyone loves the competitive nature of our league and the rivalry it offers but our clubs are also a reflection of our communities, the people they represent and the friendships they forge.
“It is these people, the fans, that make the Danske Bank Premiership so special and we are delighted to acknowledge our clubs most loyal supporters for the third year through the Danske Bank SuperFan Awards.”
Kevin Heavern, Head of Marketing, Danske Bank added: “We’re proud to support the Danske Bank Premiership SuperFan Awards again this year to recognise the effort and commitment of these valuable supporters. The passion of the Danske Bank Premiership fans is something special and they play a critical part bringing the sport to life at the games, on social media and at club level in local communities.
“At Danske Bank our engagement with the local community is an important aspect of who we are and we are delighted to be part of a sport that brings so many fans together with great passion.”
Nominees could be the loudest voice on the stands, the person who sticks by the club through thick and thin or maybe they work behind the scenes to make the club so very special.
To nominate your club SuperFan visit https://www.nifootballleague.com All we need to know is who you’re nominating, their club and why you think they deserve to be the next club SuperFan.
Nominations close at midnight on the 30 April 2020.
Dungannon Swifts Charitable Trust, Chairman, Martin Smith, pictured while out delivering meals. Photo courtesy of Dungannon Herald.
Dungannon Swifts Charitable Trust have taken steps to help the vulnerable and isolated in our community during these difficult times. After receiving donations from many local food stores and local businesses including: Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Lidl, The Greedy Grill, Ellie’s Restaurant, Bob and Bert’s, The Food Doc and Dungannon Golf Club. We were able to supply ready meals to For You, a local food bank and social enterprise. These have included : Cottage Pies, Sausage Mash with Veg, Beef Chilli and Rice, Irish Stew, Chicken Casserole and Fruit Flapjacks to name a few. To date over 1200 meals have been produced! We have also been able to supply self isolation stickers to those who need them thanks to CR Print who are currently producing them for free. We are also offering to run errands for those in self isolation, from picking up essential food stuffs to delivering vital prescriptions.
We as a Community Club would like to offer our support in these uncertain and worrying times.If you are aware of anyone who is at risk/self-isolating, we are willing to help by doing a few things like lifting prescriptions, collecting some groceries or just running general errands for the those who are unable to do so. Some of the people to benefit from the service have been in touch to let us know what it means to them:
“Meals from the Swifts were a godsend while we waited to get a delivery slot from Sainsburys. The meals were lovely and contained just the right amount . Swifts doing a brilliant job.”
“I was given a 12 week isolation letter and unable to leave the house. The Dungannon Swifts charitable Trust meals have been delivering nutritious, tasty and healthy meals to me. A different meal every day. It relives the worry of not being able to go out to the shops myself. Thank you so much.”
Please don’t be hesitant to contact us. We are all in this together and together, we will get through this.
The Charitable Trust set up a Go Fund Me Page for donations, anyone wishing to support may do so by clicking here on this link. https://bit.ly/2wQIzfU
At this Saturdays Irish Cup fixture v Cliftonville, the Dungannon Swifts Community Trust will be organising a bucket collection for this local charity. Inspire Mental Health, wellbeing and recovery, are based at ‘The Junction’ in Dungannon. Your donations will be greatly appreciated.
Pictured, left to right: Andrew Johnston (NIFL), Kevin Heavern (Danske Bank) and Callum Byers (Dungannon Swifts).
Callum Byers represented Dungannon Swifts at the National Stadium at Windsor Park, as Danske Bank and the NI Football League announced the extension of their partnership for another three years, in a record breaking deal for the league.
Amid one of the most exciting title races in years, the partnership is currently in its eighth season of sponsorship and will bring Danske Bank into a decade of successfully leading at the forefront of football in Northern Ireland.
Managing Director of the NI Football League, Andrew Johnston, says that retaining a respected and well-known brand like Danske Bank sends a clear message that football in Northern Ireland is in a very strong position.
“The renewal of the Danske Bank Premiership sponsorship is fantastic news for the NI Football League, our clubs, our players and our loyal supporters.
“We have worked in partnership with Danske Bank since the inception of the NI Football League, and over that time we have built and developed a fantastic relationship which has not only brought more attention to the local game, but has seen attendance figures increase year on year, has bought more prominence to our top women’s league and provided support to our clubs off the pitch as well as on. We’re so looking forward to the next three years working together.”
Danske Bank Head of Marketing, Kevin Heavern, added:
“The Danske Bank Premiership and Women’s Premiership are some of the greatest showcases for local sporting talent in the country. They have such a huge following both here and abroad, making the Premiership one of the top sponsorship opportunities in Northern Ireland.
“At Danske Bank, supporting local sport is one of our absolute passions – from the grassroots and youth team levels right to the highest league of the Premiership. Over the last number of years, we’ve seen such passion from the fans, coaches and players, and we’ve seen huge growth in the ladies’ game that meant extending our partnership for another three years was an easy decision for us.
“We’re extremely proud of our relationship with the NI Football League and look forward to further developing our relationship and the local game over the next three years.”
Since the first season of the Danske Bank Premiership in 2012/13 attendances in the league have grown 38%, with live television broadcasts of Premiership matches each season on BBC Two and Sky Sports.
