Hartlepool-based charity the PFC Trust will see its logo on Durham Women FC clothing this season as part of an exciting agreement with Frances and Patrick Connolly.
To mark the new deal a competition has been launched to give two mascot places away, each accompanied by an adult ticket, for Durham’s FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup tie against Manchester United later this month.
Tickets sold out for the game at Maiden Castle on Wednesday, October 26, in less than a week and it will see Euros-winning Lionesses such as Ella Toone, Alessia Russo, Mary Earps and Nikita Parris all face Durham.
Anyone wanting to win the fantastic prize must like the PFC Trust’s Facebook page and share the competition post, as well as like the charity’s Instagram page, before the deadline on Wednesday, October 19.
Frances, who set up the PFC Trust after winning the EuroMillions lottery in 2019, said: “It’s going to be a fantastic night at Maiden Castle when Durham face four Manchester United players that starred for England.
“We hope this game will inspire more people to get involved with Durham Women.
“We have watched Durham’s girls for a few years now. Our family has always been involved in girls’ football because our daughters used to play for Hartlepool St Francis.
“It was then when we actually first met Durham’s Head of Football Lee Sanders when he was managing Cestria Girls and it has grown from there.”
Two of Cestria’s line-up from those earlier days have since progressed with Lee and are playing for Durham Women in the Barclays Women’s Championship, Beth Hepple and Lauren Briggs.
They are part of a Durham team that will now be wearing warm-up shirts with the PFC Trust logo on the front, while the logo will also be on the rear of the playing shorts.
The Connollys’ Plastic Furniture Company – which is on the sleeve of the home shirt - has been a sponsor of Durham in recent years and as a principal club partner they have asked for the charity’s logo to be used instead.
Lee said: "It's exciting to have the PFC Trust and Plastic Furniture Company on board with the club.
"We worked with Patrick and Frances last year and it's now the next stage in the partnership. Without them and the companies they represent, we wouldn't be able to do what we're doing in terms of taking that next step with full-time staff and players.
"We're really looking forward to working with them and growing the partnership for years to come."
** To stand a chance of winning one of the two mascot places (and accompanying adult ticket) for the visit of Manchester United to Durham, the winning mascot must be aged under-16.
Anyone who has liked the PFC Trust’s Facebook page and shared the competition post, as well as liked the charity’s Instagram page, before the Wednesday, October 19 deadline will be in with a chance of winning.
