Under the deal – which will run for up to five years – Rowley Park will become The Hunts Post Community Stadium.
The deal was signed at the stadium by St Neots FC chairman John Delaney and Stuart McCreery (on the left), MD for Archant Herts & Cambs, the parent company of The Hunts Post.
Pictured below outside The Hunts Post Community Stadium are, from front left, Jonathan Tewson of Archant, Saints chairman John Delaney, Saints director Mike Kearns, Archant Herts & Cambs MD Stuart McCreery, Saints director Paul Breakwell and Paul Richardson of Archant. At the back are editor Andy Veale and Katie Adlam, regional sales manager for Archant.
The contract between the newspaper and the football club is major sponsorship deal for both parties.
The Hunts Post Community Stadium, which is a purpose-built facility that can hold up to 3,000 fans, also has a bar, function rooms, kitchen, and artificial training pitch, already hosts a number of community groups as well as events and weddings.
Hunts Post editor Andy Veale said: “This is a great long-term deal for both The Hunts Post and St Neots Football Club.
“The newspaper and the Saints have so much in common – success, a sense of community and plans to keep on improving.
“The town of St Neots has the potential fan base to support a growing football club and St Neots FC has the ambition and drive to be that club – one that is successful on the pitch and is central to the community.
“The Hunts Post is delighted to be supporting the Saints with that aim.”
Mr Delaney said: “This is a significant step for the Saints as it will not just promote the club from a football perspective but will also provide the means of promoting the club, its activities and facilities to the wider community.
“We have already gone on the record in stating our intention to develop a football in the community scheme with the aim of increasing participation and developing the club’s fan base.
“We believe that our partnership with The Hunts Post is unique at our level, and by naming our stadium it helps to promote both parties.
“It comes at a time when many clubs in the non league game are being affected by reducing attendances and revenue streams. Our attendances continue to increase and we are one of the best supported teams at our level in the country, in-fact our average attendance compares favourably with clubs playing at two levels higher.
“Our short term goal is to attract an average of 500 fans for each home match and a strong regular presence in The Hunts Post will play a part in bringing this about, complementing our other communication channels.
“Having more people aware of us and knowing how they can get involved is paramount to achieving success.
“We are delighted to be working with a dynamic and forward thinking organisation as like us they have a strong history with traditional values.”
The deal between the newspaper and the football club also includes increased coverage of the team in The Hunts Post, as well as a weekly column written by the manager Steve Lomas, advertising and other benefits.
The Hunts Post and St Neots FC will also be using their relationship to increase awareness of both brands in St Neots and surrounding area.
The Hunts Post is an award-winning free newspaper serving Huntingdonshire. It has been serving the community since 1870 and is owned by Archant.
