Hoops add more Pepper Money

Pepper have extended their sponsorship deal with Shamrock Rovers for another two seasons. The deal will see the company continue as the Hoops main club sponsor. Pepper Money, their newly launched retail consumer brand for mortgage lending, will feature on Rovers’ jerseys and on advertising at Tallaght Stadium.

“Shamrock Rovers has provided a great platform for us to build our brand over recent years,” said the CEO of Pepper Ireland Paul Doddrell. “This reach will become even more important as we aim to grow our lending business in Ireland, dealing directly with Irish consumers.”

The deal is worth €400,000 to the Tallaght club over the next two years. Pepper has been the Hoops main sponsor for last three seasons, having replaced Spanish car manufacturer SEAT who previously had a two-year deal. Pepper came on board in 2014, with a three year sponsorship deal that, including a deal with kit manufacturers Warrior, was reported to be worth €600,000.

Last year, Rovers secured a €1.5m interest free loan from Ray Wilson and from Pepper Group’s Chairman Seumas Dawes. The Hoops have used that money to develop facilities for their Academy at Roadstone’s Sports Grounds in Kingswood and to help run the day-to-day operations of the club.

Since that injection of cash, Rovers have hired a new CEO Brendan Murray and new Chief Operating Officer Siobhán Keane, who has joined from the FAI, where she previously held sponsorship, marketing and events manager roles.

“Pepper have been an extremely supportive sponsorship partner to the club for a number of years and we really appreciate their support,” said Brendan Murray speaking about the new Pepper Money deal.

“Our partnership with Pepper has played a significant part in allowing the club realise its ambitions on the pitch as well as developing facilities such as the Academy.”

Rovers will complete the construction of their new floodlit all weather pitch at their Academy this month. That development was also helped by a €150,000 Sports Capital Grant awarded in 2015 and the Hoops are planning to seek further grants for future development at their Academy.

Infrastructure developments also continue back at Tallaght Stadium where South Dublin County Council last month approved planning for the construction of a new 2,195 seater south stand. The budget estimate for the construction of the proposed new stand is €1,910,000 (excluding VAT).

Rovers have reported that the new stand project will be issued to tender in the summer, with work due to commence after the conclusion of the upcoming league campaign. The club hope that construction will be complete for the 2018 season.