Worcestershire CCC have pulled off a major ‘signing’ after securing a three year kit deal with quality cricket equipment giants Gray-Nicolls.
The Gray-Nicolls brand will be worn by skipper Joe Leach and the Worcestershire players in 2018 – after their return to Division One of the Specsavers County Championship – 2019 and 2020.
The County’s Managing Director Jon Graham hailed the deal as a “significant coup” for the club.
Gray-Nicolls have been leading manufacturers of high quality cricket equipment spanning three centuries.
Dozens of the world’s leading cricketers use Gray-Nicolls equipment including Alastair Cook, David Warner, Chris Woakes and Craig Overton from the recent Ashes series.
The list also includes the Worcestershire duo of wicket-keeper-batsman Joe Clarke – currently on duty with the England Lions – and all-rounder Ed Barnard.
Members and supporters will be able to purchase Gray-Nicolls bats and sports equipment in the new Supporters’ Association Club Shop – located next to the Graeme Hick Pavilion – and on line via the Worcestershire CCC website.
Graham said: “We are delighted to agree a three year deal with Gray-Nicolls. It is a coup for the club and we are really looking forward to working with them.
“They are renowned around the world. When you do your research, you can see the top notch players they are involved with, many players who took part in the Ashes, and Kane Williamson in the recent series in New Zealand.
“If you asked anyone to name a cricket brand, Gray-Nicolls would be right up there in the top two every single time.
“Their pedigree is undoubted. They are one of the key players.
“We’ve made amazing strides as a club over the last few years and we should now be dealing with the likes of Gray Nicolls.
“They have been very strategic in the clubs they want to deal with and it was apparent early on that there was an appetite from both sides. They are delighted to be associated with Worcestershire and it’s fantastic for the club and perfect now we’ve got a Club Shop and an on line presence.
“You will see the Worcestershire CCC, The Rapids and Gray-Nicolls brand not just in the ground but all over the city.
“They are obviously looking for a lot of profile and will also be seen all over Sky in the matches involving us.
“They understand the power of Division One cricket and last year we got to the semi-finals of the One-Day Cup, which was televised, and have been in T20 quarter-finals in recent years.
“We’ve got a pedigree and recent history of gaining promotion or to the latter stages of competitions that then go on television.”
Graham added: “We are going to have a new Club Shop run by the Supporters’ Association and Gray-Nicolls will have a heavy influence in there as well.
“We will start to sell bats and pads, the products people will always expect to see when they come to a county cricket ground, wherever it is.
“It is something we haven’t delivered on in recent years but now we have a cricket brand that do absolutely everything.
“We tried a few things last year with another cricket brand in T20, an emerging brand, and it was amazing.
“People were buying bats for £250-£300 at a T20 so it goes to show what can happen if you give things the profile – and with Gray-Nicolls you’ve got the absolute brand.”
Matt Rawnsley, new CEO of Worcestershire CCC said : “To have a partnership agreement with Gray-Nicolls is fantastic.
“Both partners are fully committed to the pursuit of excellence in all that we do.
“We also had input from the players on what they wanted which was a key part of the decision making process for us and we’re all delighted with the result”
