Darvel FC scores with goliath QTS sponsorship deal

October 2020

 Senior football team, Darvel FC, has secured sponsorship from rail supremos, QTS Group.

 QTS, whose 8 year partnership with Kilmarnock FC recently concluded, has taken up the position of lead sponsor of Darvel for the 2021/22 season.

 QTS, based in Drumclog, has a strong history of supporting local charities and sports teams, and currently runs a youth athlete programme which supports 13 athletes from across the UK, including three from Kilmarnock. The rail infrastructure company also had a successful run sponsoring English Championship side, Derby County.

 QTS Managing Director, Alan McLeish said:

 “When we finished our partnerships with Kilmarnock FC and Derby County, we decided to focus our efforts into grassroots football and to continue supporting emerging sports stars through our youth athlete programme.

 “However, when the opportunity arose to take on the sponsorship of Darvel FC, we couldn’t say no. We are a local business whose roots are in the town, and we wanted to continue our legacy in football with this impressive team.

“As an Ayrshire entrepreneur, I am proud to have invested back into the East Ayrshire community over the years, both personally and professionally via QTS, and seeing what owner, John Gall, has achieved so far with the team, spurred us into taking on the sponsorship. It will be great seeing another Ayrshire football team run onto the pitch, wearing our logo with pride.”

 John Gall, owner of Darvel FC and Managing Director of Brownings the Bakers, home of the famous Kilmarnock Pie, said:

 “To be able to announce QTS as our main sponsor for next season is a real coup for us. They have an impressive record in investing in the sport, with relationships with Derby FC, Kilmarnock FC and the Gold Cup at Ayr Racecourse, as well as their fantastic youth athlete programme.  For a sponsorship goliath like QTS to see us as a good opportunity to keep that sporting legacy going, is a real boost for the players and the club.

“To link with a company that is such an integral part of this local community is hugely important to us and it ties in nicely with our recent announcement of our affiliation with Galston Youth Football Club. Both clubs have existing links within their local communities, however it was recognised that a “hub” should be provided with the intention that a legacy can be built for future generations within the whole Irvine Valley community. We’re all looking forward to developing the partnership and becoming part of the QTS family.”

 Alan McLeish started QTS in 1992 with a £300 loan from his mum. He started QTS from his council house in Hutchison Drive, Darvel, before moving onto larger premises in Priestland, before finally relocating the headquarters to Drumclog, just a short drive from where the business was born.

 Darvel FC is part of the new proposed West of Scotland League (WoSL) which lies in the Pyramid structure meaning Darvel FC are now a Senior Club which sit at Tier 6.