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At the culmination of Northern Rock PLC’s ‘Sign The Stripes’ campaign we are delighted to confirm the official handover of the giant 15m x 10m NUFC shirt to NUST. The handover took place on Monday 21st February and the shirt is now up for auction, with all proceeds going towards the launch and development of the Trust’s Junior section JUSTNewcastle. Please find below the press release from Northern Rock plc to mark the occasion, the Trust will be releasing more details in the coming days but in the meantime you can visit the dedicated auction page on the NUST website.
Northern Rock Press Release
NORTHERN ROCK DONATES GIANT TOON SHIRT TO HELP LAUNCH JUNIOR SUPPORTERS’ TRUST
A giant Newcastle United football shirt created by NUFC main sponsor - Northern Rock - to mark the end of its ‘Sign the Stripes’ initiative, has been donated to the Newcastle United Supporters’ Trust (NUST) to help launch the Junior United Supporters’ Trust Newcastle (JUSTNewcastle).
At a special event held at Northern Rock’s head office in Gosforth, Andy Tate, Customer and Commercial Director at Northern Rock, handed over the 10mx15m shirt to NUST Chairman, Norman Watson. NUST plans to auction the shirt – which is signed by thousands of ‘Toon’ fans from all over the world – to raise money to help with the launch and development of the Junior branch of the organisation.
The giant shirt made its first appearance at the Boxing Day fixture at St James’ Park, where it was passed through the East Stand crowd just before the game. It has also appeared on the centre spot at a number of other Newcastle United matches prior to kick off.
Norman Watson, Chairman of NUST said: “This is a very generous donation from Northern Rock and will be used by the Trust to help support their work in setting up and running the Junior Supporters’ Trust. The establishment of a junior branch – which will be free to join for under 17s – demonstrates NUST’s commitment to encouraging young people to support their club and to help ensure there is a next generation of Newcastle United fans.
“We’re sure that bidders for the shirt will recognise this as a great chance to own a unique piece of Newcastle United’s history, whilst at the same time providing funds for such a worthy cause.”
Andy Tate, Customer and Commercial Director of Northern Rock said: “Sign the Stripes was a great opportunity for Newcastle United fans to get closer to their club, and reinforced Northern Rock’s strong roots in the North East, a community we are immensely proud to support. We thought it fitting that the giant shirt, emblazoned with the names of thousands of supporters, should go to an organisation that aims to nurture the next generation of fans, to enable them to launch and develop this very worthwhile Junior Trust.”
It is hoped that the money raised by JUSTNewcastle from the shirt sale will make the Junior Trust a reality by providing starter packs, finance football tournaments and education for younger supporters about the great history of both the football club and the city.
NUST is auctioning the giant shirt by means of closed bids through email. Businesses and individuals can lodge their bids at auction@nust.org.uk. Visit www.nust.org.uk for more detailed information on the bidding process and the terms and conditions for the auction or telephone 077 488 195 84.
