Sponsorship deal for new football club in growing community

A new football club established in a growing community near Milton Keynes is enjoying its first season after securing a kit sponsorship deal with Taylor Wimpey.
Newton Leys FC sponsorship by Taylor Wimpey.Newton Leys FC sponsorship by Taylor Wimpey.
Newton Leys FC sponsorship by Taylor Wimpey.

The housebuilder has donated £700 to Newton Leys Football Club, set up thanks to the efforts of key members of the community and Newton Leys Residents Association.

After completing their official registration process with the Football Association last summer, the team are now playing in the Milton Keynes Sunday League Division One.

Ethan Kelly-Wilson, chairman of Newton Leys Residents Association and also a town councillor for Newton Leys at Bletchley and Fenny Stratford Town Council, said: “We’ve worked with the community to set up Newton Leys Football Club and now it’s fantastic to see the team playing competitive games.

“What with Newton Leys being a new community since Taylor Wimpey started construction here in 2007, there wasn’t anything like this before so we thought it was time to set up a football club.

“We’re trying to bring the community together – as well as help keep people fit! Now we have an adult side, we’re hoping to establish girls and boys teams at the club in the near future.

“It’s all been quite timely as well because new pitches, a community centre and clubhouse are due to be delivered on the Newton Leys development later this year as part of the Section 106 planning agreement.”

Until those new facilities are ready the club are playing their games half a mile away at the Sir Herbert Leon Academy in Bletchley. Their new kit, adorned with the Taylor Wimpey logo, is predominantly green to represent the rolling Buckinghamshire countryside that provides a beautiful backdrop to Newton Leys.

Ethan added: “We have a brilliant relationship with Taylor Wimpey, who have been very good to our community. They kindly sponsored our summer fayre last year and we’re very grateful to receive this football sponsorship.

“This has been a big help because, as well as a new home kit, the money given to us by Taylor Wimpey has also gone towards paying for an away kit and 12 league-accredited footballs. That cost would have otherwise been passed over to the club’s members, so it’s helped keep the group sustainable which is crucial in these early stages of the club’s formation.

“The players are very proud to wear a kit sponsored by a prestigious company like Taylor Wimpey.”

Jack Costello, sales and marketing director for Taylor Wimpey North Thames, which manages the Oakbrook development at Newton Leys, says: “We think it’s fantastic that the residents of Newton Leys have come together to establish a football club that can represent this growing and thriving community.”