The FM Sudafix Group is proud to announce that it will be backing the GMB Nottingham Panthers once again for the 2011-2012 campaign. Negotiations have been ongoing between the club and FM Sudafix for some time but the “3+2” deal, which has long been rumoured to be worth in excess of six figures, has finally been confirmed by both of the negotiation teams. The sponsorship agreement will see the FM Sudafix logo on the playing shirts as well as in two face-off circles underneath the ice, and will include a number of match night sponsorships.
FM Sudafix Group Technical Director John Maher spoke with the webteam: “Now the ink has dried I can confirm that the FM Sudafix Group will be an official sponsor of the GMB Nottingham Panthers for 2011-2012 campaign. This is a great moment for both organisations and what makes it all the sweeter is that we have negotiated a deal that extends to future seasons.
“Last season was the first time that FM Sudafix as a company sponsored the Nottingham Panthers, but as many people are aware I, and the organisations with which I have worked, have a legacy of supporting this team and sport. My mentor, A.W. Elliott, always instilled a value of supporting the communities that help to generate a company’s success, and he also established a link with the Nottingham Panthers, backing fan favourite Simon Perkins. We invited Perks along to commemorate the launch of the hockey shirt last year, but at the time it was bittersweet because we all wanted to see him ice wearing the FM Sudafix emblazoned Panthers shirt. As a result it was great to see Perko take to the ice when he appeared as a Panthers “Legend” in a charity match for the Teenage Cancer Trust during the 2010-2011 season alongside other crowd pleasing stars such as Paul Moran and Rasty Rovnianek.
“We thoroughly enjoyed being part of the historic double winning 2010-2011 season, and it included some wonderful highlights. We knew that the best talent in the Elite Ice Hockey League would be seen with our logo as soon as we secured the sponsorship slot last season but who could have predicted that international singing sensation Michael Bublé or international boxing champion Carl Froch would be wearing it? And they did so much to support the club and their community focused schemes.
“With so many great memories and knowing that our organisation had helped to support the Nottingham Panthers impressive achievements in the 2010-2011 season we could not walk away. This club gets in your blood, and it has run in mine for a long time now. We have demonstrated our commitment to the Nottingham Panthers future; we know that they are the best team in the Elite League and this deal proves that we put our money where our mouth is.”
Panthers General Manager, Gary ‘GM the GM’ Moran stated: “FM Sudafix has shown itself to be a great business partner. They’re enthusiastic and supportive. It’s right that they make the most of our link-up and we’re thrilled that they do so. Ice hockey is fast and furious, it is also passionate and skilled, a phrase that would sum up the guys at FMS. The firm has historical links with the Panthers but we’re at a new level now and long may it continue.”
FM Sudafix Group Strategy & Communications Director, Sean Elliott-Maher, provided the following comment: “I have always acted as the interface between FM Sudafix and the Nottingham Panthers, so I was delighted to be part of the negotiation team but this deal was a classic example of John Maher wearing his heart on his sleeve and contributing to help create the best outcome for both organisations. Gary Moran, Panthers GM, has set out the best framework for the team to achieve even more great things and we are pleased to put money behind that endeavour. I want to go on the record to state my full support of the direction that the club management is pursuing and commend both the vision and determination to succeed. Not forgetting the players, I am so proud of their achievements on the ice, and delighted to see the returning players from the special double winnng team; the guys have always demonstrated considerable patience and willingness to join in with some of my daft ideas and still been happy to have a chat with me afterwards. I would also like to extend the heartfelt thanks from everyone at FM Sudafix to the fans of the Nottingham Panthers; you have welcomed us so warmly and we are proud to be with you for years to come, we hope that you like the website that we developed for you and our international customers.”
The first season that FM Sudafix supported the club was worthy of a Hollywood movie! It included a number of champagne moments as well as dramatic moments where the team faced staggering adversity. With a league campaign running aground as a result of a string of below-par performances and the departure of noted players it only made the achievements of winning the Challenge Cup and the Play-Offs more special. Over the course of the season the Nottingham Panthers consistently delivered entertainment icing an incredible array of the best home grown talent in the league, supported by international stars which included ex-NHL heroes in Jeff Heerema, Daniel Tkachuk and Jeremy Van Hoof.
Despite forging an incredibly strong working relationship during the historic double season, the link between the two organisations was strengthened during the off-season. Shortly after the ice hockey world championships wrapped FM Sudafix staff joined with Nottingham Panthers hero David Clarke to help support the NHS Blood and Transplant at The Nottingham Blood Centre in Castle Quays. FM Sudafix Group General Manager Calum Heath and Strategy & Communications Director Sean Elliott-Maher got together with Nottingham Panthers star forward David Clarke for the event.
FM Sudafix sponsored David’s respected Clarke & Co. Hockey School for the first time during the off-season, and this was enhanced for the first time ever by his brand new Pro-Clinic. The Nottingham Panthers fan favourite and top goal scorer was joined by top ice hockey experts and fellow Panthers to provide specialist tuition to the best UK talent who are seeking to embark on a professional hockey career. As ice hockey champions both competitiveness and strong moral values this featured heavily in the training that David and the team delivered. FM Sudafix’s Sean Elliott-Maher attended some of the Pro-Clinic sessions and was pleased to get the chance to see future stars and the massive impact that the Clarke & Co. coaching team had on them. Knowing that FM Sudafix also invests its time in new talent Clarkey travelled to the Eastwood branch of the company to meet some junior engineers and the gesture inspired them.
Going in to the new season FM Sudafix top management wanted to make a statement of intent and communicated their commitment to the club, players and management, coaches and fans alike, by sponsoring the first two home games of the season. FM Sudafix Group Chief Executive Officer Steve Hutchinson provided the final comment on the deal, “It’s a great deal for the Panthers, and it’s great exposure for us, so in my book this works for everyone and everyone at FM Sudafix is excited for the start of the season.”
