Northampton Saints are delighted to today announce that the Club has agreed a new, six-year partnership with cinch.
The UK’s fastest-growing online car marketplace, cinch signed up to become one of Saints’ Elite Partners last year but has now penned a brand-new deal which sees the innovative e-commerce scale-up commit to the Club for an even longer term.
The move marks a significant first for Saints and for Franklin’s Gardens. Northampton’s iconic ground will from today be renamed ‘cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens’ – the first stadium naming rights agreement in the Club’s 141-year history.
As well as immediately becoming the men in Black, Green and Gold’s Official Stadium Naming Rights Partner, cinch become Saints’ Principal Partner as of the 2022/23 campaign with their logo taking pride of place on the front of Saints’ playing kit from 2022/23 onwards.
“We are absolutely delighted to grow our partnership with cinch, an innovative and rapidly-growing brand,” said the Club’s Chief Executive, Mark Darbon.
“Over the last 18 months, we have navigated the most challenging period in the Club’s history, so to have secured this genuinely transformational deal – which will underpin our commercial strategy moving forwards – is an incredibly significant moment for the Club.
“cinch has committed to helping drive Northampton Saints forward for the long term, which we hope in turn, will create many more opportunities for growth on and off the pitch.”
Mark Darbon, Northampton Saints Chief Executive
“We know that Franklin’s Gardens has a special place in the heart of all Saints supporters, so the decision to rename the stadium was one not taken lightly.
“But this was a fantastic opportunity for the Club to progress our partnership with a forward-thinking, digital brand in cinch who share our ambition and already boast an impressive stable of partnerships with premium sporting organisations across the UK.
“While the name of the stadium will change, the essence of the ground of course remains the same, and we look forward to creating many more fantastic memories and chapters in our history with our supporters in the coming years.”
With the aim of taking the faff out of finding and buying a car completely online, cinch began its direct-to-consumer journey in 2020 – and has very quickly established itself as one of the UK’s largest e-commerce vehicle sites, offering motorists a new, friendly way to search for the vehicle that's just right for them, with finance and part exchange options and a 14-day money-back guarantee.
As part of their association with Saints, cinch has also supported the Northampton Saints Foundation in delivering its innovative social inclusion programmes, by supplying the charity with a brand-new minibus to transport students. Outside of its partnership with the Club, cinch is committed to supporting a number of grassroots sports clubs and initiatives in Northamptonshire, alongside the creation of over 1000 new jobs and an industry-leading academy for the training of highly skilled mechanics at the business’ new Rockingham and Corby locations.
Avril Palmer-Baunack, Constellation Automotive Group Chairman, cinch owners said, “We are delighted to transform our partnership with Northampton Saints in the first stadium naming rights agreement in the Club’s 141-year history. The team are firmly committed to reaching the top, and that drive matches ours as one of the fastest-growing brands in the UK.
“cinch has made significant investments in and around Northamptonshire, across vehicle preparation facilities, training and jobs, so it makes perfect sense that we continue to cheer on one of the county’s most-loved sports teams with this new, comprehensive Principal Partner deal.”
