FOOTBALL: Milk Cup getting rebranded

The Dale Farm Milk Cup is set to be rebranded as the SuperCupNI.
Derry City's Aaron McEneff (right) played in the Milk Cup a few years ago.Derry City's Aaron McEneff (right) played in the Milk Cup a few years ago.
Derry City's Aaron McEneff (right) played in the Milk Cup a few years ago.

The move comes as organisers confirm their successful two-year agreement with sponsors Dale Farm has come to an end.

As the international youth football tournament seeks a new backer, chairman Victor Leonard revealed the competition has undergone a name change.

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“We have had an association with milk since our second tournament in 1984. Now that Dale Farm have completed their sponsorship package, we feel it is the right time to rename the tournament as we explore new ideas in our desire to continue our project of enhancement and redefining of the event,” said Victor.

He went on to thank Dale Farm for their “invaluable financial input” over the past two years.

“Dale Farm stepped in at a difficult time when our long and successful association with the Dairy Council for Northern Ireland came to an end,” he said.

“I think the new direction undertaken proved highly beneficial to both parties as the event continues to enjoy extensive media coverage including the ongoing daily exposure with our broadcaster partner BBC Sport NI, across TV, Online and radio.

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“Dale Farm’s intervention was invaluable in several ways, not least from a financial viewpoint. Their involvement secured our short term future and enabled us to tackle a number of changes in format.”

Victor continued: “We are proud that we have been able to present a Northern Ireland event with a worldwide appeal and now, as the SuperCupNI we are moving forward into a new era.”

The SuperCupNI Committee are now exploring several options in terms of securing sponsorship for the 2016 tournament.

The chairman added: “We have already had some discussions with regard to potential new sponsors but these are at the preliminary stage. Hopefully we will have positive news in the new year.”

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There are also plans to introduce a new logo and anyone with ideas on what it might look like is asked to watch out on the SuperCupNI social media channels to add their input.

Next year’s SuperCupNI will run from Monday, July 25, to Friday, July 29, with the opening ceremony in Coleraine on Sunday, July 24