Lookers, one of the UK’s leading motor retail businesses, has entered its second year as sponsor of Durham County Cricket Club.
Through the sponsorship, Lookers will continue as a NatWest T20 Blast shirt sponsor for the club for a second year, and follows the first successful year when Durham reached the final.
In 2017, the sponsorship is part of a wider initiative by Lookers for the club, including a fleet of 12 cars from Nissan vehicles to be made available for use by players, coaching staff and management.
A branded Volkswagen minibus has also been presented at the end of March for the club’s use throughout the forthcoming cricket season.
Sir Ian Botham OBE, who takes over as the club’s new chairman for 2017, said: “We are delighted to be continuing with Lookers for the second year as a T20 partner. This continuing partnership demonstrates the company’s ongoing commitment to the club, the surrounding region and to grassroots sport in our communities.
“Watching the sport’s superstars in our local community is great for the region, including our very own Ben Stokes who continues to play for Durham, competes in the Indian Premier League as well as playing all forms of the game for England.
“We have some incredible cricketers here at Durham; for example Mark Wood, Graham Onions, Paul Collingwood and the list goes on. It is safe to say that the Lookers sponsorship helps us to secure our place as a hub for community sport across the region.
“With optimism, hard winter training and a renewed vigour ahead of this year’s T20 season beginning in July, Lookers hopes that its continued support of the club will allow the teams, in particular the T20 squad, to realise their potential and bring even more glory back to the North East.
The support Lookers has provided in terms of vehicles will mean the Academy and 2nd XI will continue the success of 2016 into the 2017 season.
Neil Killeen, DCCC 2nd XI head coach, said: “It is great to see the team travel together. It really helps to build the team ethic which can be seen on the pitch.
“We have a number of promising cricketers at the club and it is amazing to see the Academy continuing to deliver some talented young cricketers into the professional ranks”
Nigel McMinn, Chief Operating Officer, Lookers, added: “Lookers is proud to continue to support Durham County Cricket Club in 2017.
“Our first year of the sponsorship was greatly received by both the club and the communities that support it and we are looking forward to another successful season across all of the major cricketing events.
“I am sure you’ll see the Lookers and Durham VW Transporter on the road, let us know if you see us around: #LookersOnTour.”