Cheshire Phoenix rise as £50k target is reached
It was confirmed tonight that the steering group behind saving professional basketball for Cheshire, has succeeded in its efforts to raise the £50,000 required sum set out by the BBL to fulfil the rest of the 2012-13 BBL campaign.
Cheshire Phoenix, as the team will now be known, will benefit from a number of local sponsorships and the partnership of Chester FC, the Blue Square North football club, who itself has risen from the ashes of Chester City FC, and has achieved back-to-back promotions in its first two seasons. The logo of the club has also been styled similar to that of the football team.
The announcement was made through email and social media as following:
After 21 days of campaigning to raise £50,000 to secure the future of professional basketball in Cheshire, The Cheshire Phoenix Basketball Club, are delighted to announce they have secured their target funding to rescue the professional basketball franchise thanks to a range of business sponsorship deals together with donations from private individuals and organisations.
The club, formally known as the Cheshire Jets, will now be known as Cheshire Phoenix after fans and volunteers recently voted for a new club name to reflect the ambitions and community aspirations of the basketball club.
Cheshire Phoenix will move forward as a not for profit Community Interest Club, and will be run by the community, for the benefit of the community. Two local business entrepreneurs, Andrew Donaldson of BiG Storage, and Terry Hearfield of Aspect Construction, led the campaign to save the club and also stepped forward as sponsors to give the fundraising campaign a fighting chance, they jointly commented: “The volunteers, the players, the fans and the local community have really pulled together to enable the club to survive.We are looking forward to rebuilding the club on firm foundations and hope to repeat some of the clubs past successes, this is what we have all been working towards and it’s what the fans deserve.”
The BBL took temporary control of the franchise in order to give the community time to formulate a plan, raise funds and present their proposal. BBL Chief Operating Officer, Andy Webb, commented: “The Cheshire franchise has a long history and is well supported by a dedicated team of professionals, passionate volunteers and fans. We had to support them in their endeavours to raise the necessary funds to secure the club. Today proves that we made the right decision.”
The club have already secured a supporting partnership deal with Chester FC whose support has helped with their successful community rescue bid.
