Isthmian League begin the search for a new title sponsor

The Isthmian League begin the search for a new sponsor after BetVictor withdrew their backing after one year.

 

BetVictor has served notice on the Isthmian League, the Northern Premier League and the Southern Football League that they were activating the break clause in each of their contracts and that accordingly their sponsorship of the three League’s will cease on 9 July 2020.

The decision from the betting firm was made prior to and was not influenced by the coronavirus crisis, which has seen all three League’s declared null and void by the Football Association and The FA Council.

An Isthmian League statement said:  “BetVictor have terminated the sponsorship for a number of reasons but mainly due to the fact that the increasing compliance restrictions and challenges faced in their first seven months outweighed the benefits they were drawing from the sponsorship.

“However, the escalating negativity towards betting in football did not help, nor did – most disappointingly – compliance breaches by clubs in and outside of the Isthmian League.

“Although the search for a new sponsor has begun, the Covid-19 crisis makes it very difficult to engage meaningfully with potential replacements.

“So, as of now, the Leagues operating at Step Three and Four have no main sponsor for season 2020-21.”

Isthmian League chairman Nick Robinson added: “We are very disappointed that this decision was made as it means that we are not able to develop the relationship with the sponsor.

“We are actively looking for a new sponsor but are apprehensive at this time due to the general economic downturn due to Covid-19.

“We believe we have a good and markable product which has attracted sponsors for nearly 40 years and we hope will continue to do so once we are able to restart the League.”

Former sponsors of the Isthmian League include Vauxhall, Diadora, Ryman and Bostik.

No-one involved in the three League’s are unable to place bets on football as they are banned from doing so by The Football Association.

Visit Isthmian League’s website: www.isthmian.co.uk