Tomorrow’s League Two match between Newport County and Macclesfield Town will be Paddy Power’s second ‘Unsponsored Derby’ as part of its ‘Save Our Shirt’ campaign.
Both Newport and Macclesfield are involved in Paddy Power’s initiative to ‘unsponsor’ clubs which results in the teams having no shirt sponsorship visible.
Paddy Power stated: “The trophy is polished, ready and raring to be won at Rodney Parade in the second edition of the Unsponsored Derby on Tuesday.
“We’re excited to see two of our partner clubs match up again and proud to unsponsor as much of the match as is possible, to return to the game to the supporters.”
Paddy Power has unsponsored almost all of the ground’s advertising boards, match sponsor, programme and Man of the Match award. The bookmakers has teamed up with several brands to ensure that most of the perimeter boards at Rodney Parade will bear no brand logos.
Alex Eagle, Newport County’s Commercial Manager added: “NCAFC are delighted to be hosting the second ‘Save Our Shirt’ Unsponsored Derby of the season. A huge thank you to our partners who have got involved, here’s hoping County can get the win and secure the trophy!”
Paddy Power’s ‘Save Our Shirt’ campaign began last year after partnering with Huddersfield Town. The initiative was used to raise awareness over sponsorships on football shirts. For the 2019/20 season, half of all teams in England’s top two divisions were sponsored by bookmakers.
A trophy will be given to the victor of tomorrow’s match or if the game is a draw then both teams will share the trophy. The previous unsponsored match, which featured both Newport and Macclesfield, ended in a 1-1 draw at Moss Rose, resulting in both sides claiming silverware.
The League Two match takes place, as UK Minister for Sports Nigel Adams confirms that the DCMS will review ‘football’s relationship with betting’ in the government’s ‘imminent review’ of the 2005 Gambling Act.
Warning football governance, Adams underlined that DCMS would address concerns on whether betting sponsorships had ‘normalised gambling amongst fans’, and further asses whether betting sponsorships should be categorised in the same criteria as tobacco prohibiting all forms of club sponsorship and marketing.
