It’s the Fineprint Eagles
The Eastbourne Eagles will take to the track in 2019 with a new headline sponsor, Fineprint (Sussex) Ltd.
It is one of the largest sponsorship deals in the club’s long history.
At the same time, the new Eagles management has announced that the Arlington Stadium-based club will return to their traditional blue and yellow colours.
‘Kamikaze kids’
There will also be a new logo based on the body colours worn by the first generation of the young ‘Kamikaze kids’ in the 1970s, whose racing gripped a generation of Sussex speedway supporters.
Proprietor of the Hastings-based Fineprint, Les Fineing, is a long-time backer and supporter of the Eagles.
In another major commercial development, as the club seeks to re establish itself, in time, among the sport’s elite, is the team’s first Community Partner – HG Aerospace.
New generation
The company will financially support the introduction to speedway to a new generation of Eagles fans.
The aim is to engage with sports clubs, schools, uniformed youth groups, registered charities and community organisations to offer visits to Eastbourne Speedway for groups of up to 200 on race nights.
Eagles Business and Commercial director Ian Jordan said: ”The move up to the Championship would not be viable without increased sponsorship and will require significantly higher attendances too.
Business planning
“The backing from Les at Fineprint (Sussex) Limited is an integral part of our 2019 business planning.
“It is a very innovative deal from a long-term Eastbourne Eagles supporter and backer.
“The support from Michael and George Gray at HG Aerospace is testimony to their passion for helping those in the community who most need it.
“It will also assist with our aims of attracting thousands of new young supporters to Arlington, a scheme started with great success last autumn.
“Thank you to both organisations and individuals concerned for their magnificent support which is very much appreciated.
Retro-feel logo
Ian said the new “retro-feel logo” and the restoration of the blue and yellow colours were part of the club’s “back to the future” project.
Supporter surveys, which the club had monitored closely, indicated this to be most popular choice.
Ian added: “In re-branding back to blue and yellow, we are conscious that this comes a year after significant change.
“However, so that supporters can be assured, it is our intention for the logo announced today and colour scheme, to be a long-term arrangement.”
All-British team
He went on:
“We seek to make Eastbourne Speedway open and inclusive to all.
“The building of an exciting all-British team plus these announcements are the prelude to a busy few weeks,” Ian said.
The 2019 fixture planning meeting is being held today (January 8) meaning fixture news will be available very soon.
Further updates with more details of how you can help Eastbourne Eagles commercially and individually and fans open day plus ticketing / merchandising news will be forthcoming shortly; together with two more very exciting announcements so stay tuned.