THE Drakes Huddersfield Cricket League’s showpiece Sykes Cup competition has a new sponsor.
Arrow Self Drive have put their name to the event in a five-year deal to replace Romida Sports.
And in a double bonus for league chiefs, Leeds-based All Rounder Cricket have come on board to sponsor the Twenty/20 Trophy and Shield.
“It was real shock when we heard Romida Sports had gone into administration,” said executive secretary Stephen Sykes.
“They had been the Sykes Cup sponsors for 10 years and the Twenty/20 Trophy sponsors for three, and it was a bitter blow for all concerned.
“However, it did give us the chance to change the format of the sponsorship to ensure we would not suffer a double blow in future.
“We had a few inquiries from prospective sponsors and these were discussed at a special meeting.
“We chose the offers which we felt represented the most stable way forward.”
Huddersfield-based car and van rental firm Arrow Self Drive are already the principal sponsors of the Huddersfield Central League.
The Drakes League’s 92-year-old knockout competition will be known as the Arrow Self Drive.Com Sykes Cup.
As well as putting heir name to the Twenty/20 Trophy and Shield, which didn’t have a backer, All Rounder Cricket will sponsor the teas and medals for the finals.
It’s an initial three-year deal with a view to an extension.
“We are delighted with the input from our new sponsors and believe these are excellent deals for our league,” added Sykes.
Club representatives will be officially informed of the new sponsors at tonight’s annual meeting at Almondbury CC, when the league’s new president Donald Earnshaw will be undertaking his first duties since replacing retiring Bob Platt.
