Sale Sharks seal record jersey sponsorship deal with UKFast

Technology cloud and colocation provider UKFast has secured a jersey sponsorship deal with English Premiership rugby union club Sale Sharks.

The value of the deal was not disclosed, but the seven-figure agreement represents a record commercial partnership for Sale.

UKFast sponsored the club from 2000 to 2010, when the company’s chief executive, Lawrence Jones, opted to end the deal following the departures of several high-profile players, including fly-half Charlie Hodgson.

News of the sponsorship deal follows last month's takeover of the club by Simon Orange and investment vehicle CorpAcq and the departure of long-term owner Brian Kennedy.

Sale Sharks' commercial director, Mark Cueto, who retired last year after a 15 year playing stint at the club, said: “I knew we needed Lawrence and UKFast back. He eats, breathes and sleeps rugby. He was much more than just a sponsor. He has already helped us secure a number of other high-profile businesses to the mix and the energy he brings is infectious. I can already feel the momentum gathering.

“Manchester needs top-level professional sports clubs and not just football. We have squash, cycling and for Manchester to be a truly international city we have to be winning on all fronts.”