British Football’s Longest Partnership: Tom Banks Explores the Influential Collaboration Between Kindred Group and Rangers FC

Back in September, Rangers FC confirmed they had extended their partnership with Kindred Group establishing this special alliance as the longest-standing of its kind in British football for its tenth season now.

Kindred Group, an online gambling company, have invested their time providing help in the local community, with initiatives such as ‘Team Talk’, which the Rangers Charity Foundation team run.

Most gambling operators put their logos on jerseys or have it around the grounds and consider it a success, Kindred is not the average gambling company as they wanted to make sure there was a wider piece of work going on.

During an extensive conversation with Soccerscene, Group Head of Corporate Affairs at Kindred Group, Tom Banks, spoke in-depth to Alex Bagdasarian about the relationship between the two parties, the work done in the local community, men’s mental health, and much more.

Can you explain to us about the benefits of both parties and the relationship you two have over the last 10 years?

Tom Banks: We’ve had a very long relationship with them, it’s into its tenth season and we have seen them through ups and downs in terms of seeing them in European Cup finals and supported them through when they were relegated down to championship, promoted back to the Scottish Premiership, so it has been a rollercoaster of a journey, it has been really great.

Rangers FC, as lots of football fans will know are steeped in heritage and got a really special place in football not just in Scotland and the wider United Kingdom, but across Europe as well, it is a very well-known club and a well known brand. We have been proud to support them for the last 10 seasons and what has been really good is particularly the last few years we’ve worked hard across all of our sponsorships in football to create a new model of sponsorship that not only benefits the club in terms of our support from a club perspective, but also the communities and so every club that we sponsor now across the UK always has a community benefit angle to it, so in the example of Rangers for the last few years we have supported a great project called ‘Team Talk,’ which focuses on mental health and particularly men’s mental health.

It uses the football club as a sort of conversation starter for men who might not otherwise feel comfortable to open up about their mental health and so we have seen a huge support for that organisation and that program has grown significantly as a result of our funding and that’s really great and we have replicated that across other clubs that we support that focus on mental health.

We did our research a few years ago with a research agency that showed football clubs and men have a unique link and everybody knows it and if you can leverage that the right way to open up conversations about how you’re doing and your wider mental health then there is a real opportunity to get a conversation going and make improvements.

Image provided by Kindred Group.

Can you explain to us what work has been done in the local community?

Tom Banks: That’s predominantly through our support of the ‘Team Talk’ initiative which the Rangers Charity Foundation team run, that program runs once or twice a week, we funded it from a supporter perspective which has meant it can be open for longer, it can have more people turn up and it hosts more sessions, it has been great to see that program grow.

Quite a bit of it is individuals sharing with everyone having a shared passion of the club and so that is a nice entry point for people, and if they want to talk a bit about how they are doing more broadly they can, and there is staff who are trained on hand to have those conversations with them but they also do football sessions.

The club and foundation has seen a strong growth in terms of the numbers of people that have turned up to those sessions, as a result the support we have been able to provide that can advertise those sessions more widely.

Previously to the mental health project that we have supported The ‘Team Talk’ program, we have also sponsored resources for homeless charities in Glasgow, so we have done bits and pieces so that’s why over the last couple of years we have created more of a defined model of what our sponsorship looks like in terms of community benefit and l think we have started to see the benefits of that now in regards to a real increase and engagement with the community.

You mentioned the support of a men’s mental health initiative called ‘Team Talk’, explain to us in further detail and what it involves.

Tom Banks: The beauty of that program is that it is a real enabler for people to talk, with a dozen men attending the sessions every week and staff tracking how they are doing from when they first joined the program right the way through and we have seen a big improvement in the wellbeing of the participants.

It is not a medical program, it is reducing the barriers to talk about if they have any problems with their mental health, we have sponsored other clubs that have had similar projects and they are really powerful.

The research that we were provided in the last couple of years did show that men are statistically less likely to talk about any kind of mental health issues but they are statistically much more likely to be very passionate football fans and so there is a nice intersection to be able to use the football club and the sport to make them feel more comfortable to start talking and that’s really important which has been valuable for that project because initiatives such as ‘Team Talk’ have showed that the science behind what we thought we knew from the research is proving correct, it has been great to see it being developed over the last couple of years.

Is there a particular demographic that comes through the doors the most?

Tom Banks: It’s not exclusive to men but it’s focused predominantly on men, we expected it to be slightly older men, or who are on their own or who don’t have that many people around them in terms of support network but it has actually been quite diverse.

There is some quite younger people that come through the doors because mental health can affect anybody because it’s not like other types of diseases that affects over 65s or men of a certain weight.

Its been interesting to see the broad demographic split of men, it slightly leans older but overall it is diverse and l think that shows the fact that mental health doesn’t necessarily discriminate against any type of character.

Image provided by Kindred Group.

Kindreds approach to ‘Zero % Mission’, can you explain to us what it involves and the tools available for Rangers fans?

Tom Banks: The Zero % Mission is something we are really proud of and Kindred is the parent company and that has this overarching journey and an ambition the company has to reach zero % of its revenue derived from harmful gambling where people have had issues when they play and it is a small percentage of what we see which is around 2-3% from where our revenue comes from but the aim is to get that to 0%, we have seen good success on reducing that percentage over the last three or four years and so the Zero % Mission is almost our consumer facing campaign element of the journey to zero.

What it means and why we are proud of the work that we have done with Rangers but also other clubs is because we use the sort of advertising assets and the sponsorships assets like the front of shirts has Zero % Mission underneath and a lot of LED around the ground will refer to that.

We remain l think one of the only gambling operators that just doesn’t have their logo on the shirt but also has some form of safer gambling type of messaging and we think that is important to use our assets for good.

It has been good to use the Zero % Mission to open up the conversation on safer gambling with fans and punters more easily. I suppose it’s about insuring fans that are aware of the variety of tools that players have available when they gamble and actually we have seen a really good benefit of that and us talking more about that through the Zero % Mission.

In 2020, about 40% of our player base use a voluntary safe gambling tools so that’s factors such as a deposit limit or a loss limit, there is various tools that are available for players, much like on Netflix where it says ‘are you still watching?’, we have very similar things on our platforms to make sure individuals are aware and in control, but it’s actually up to about three quarters of our player base that have one now.

I think we have gotten a lot better as a sector and everything else from a Kindred perspective, using our sponsorships to really highlight and promote the use of these tools because for us it’s really important that our players on our platforms are doing it in a controlled way.

Lastly, is there any new initiatives planned between both parties in the extension of the partnership?

Tom Banks: We will be doing a range of interesting things from a content perspective so that will come throughout the year, what we will try to do is utilise some of the players and assets to think about how we can use our sponsorship creatively but the main thing is the ongoing support of Team Talk, we expect there will be further developments for that program over the course of the year as a result of the funding and it may be possible for them to expand the program in the next 12 months.

It is one for people to keep an eye on, we are really keen for the sponsorship to continue evolving but we’re just really excited to be part of it again for another season. I think it’s the longest running deal in British football and so that is a challenge as much as it is an area of pride because we have been going for a long time to keep it new and fresh for the fans is important.

We’re trying to challenge ourselves to make sure we think of new ways to innovate in terms of giving benefits to the club and the community but there is definitely exciting things on the horizon.

Previous ArticleNext Article

Australian Championship set to revolutionise domestic football

Football Australia has unveiled the “Australian Championship,” a groundbreaking new competition that promises to reshape the nation’s football landscape.

Officially launching in October 2025, the Championship will serve as a vital bridge between state-based competitions and the Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s system, bringing clubs, players, and communities closer together.

This announcement comes on the heels of the October confirmation of the National Second Tier (NST) format, marking a significant milestone in Australian football.

The Australian Championship will provide a national platform for clubs and players to showcase their talent while fostering stronger connections with fans and communities across the country.

Competition Format and Vision

The Australian Championship will feature 16 teams competing in a dynamic format designed to balance competitive integrity and fan engagement. The competition will include:

Group Stage: Four groups of four teams playing home-and-away fixtures.

Elimination Finals: The top two teams from each group advancing to knockout rounds.

Grand Final: The inaugural champion to be crowned in December 2025.

This structure highlights Football Australia’s ambition to create an inclusive, exciting, and commercially sustainable competition that celebrates the depth of Australian football talent.

Football Australia Chief Executive Officer James Johnson spoke on the importance of this announcement for the future of Australian football.

“The Australian Championship is much more than a competition – it’s a national celebration of football; uniting proud historic clubs, emerging talent, and inter-generational community connection. It reflects the core values of Australian football: authenticity, opportunity, and ambition,” Johnson said in the press release.

“This competition will complement the A-League, NPL, and Hahn Australia Cup, providing a connected, meaningful pathway for players and fans alike. Today’s brand launch is a statement of our commitment to grow domestic football in Australia and unlock its full potential.”

Founding Clubs and National Representation

The competition will include eight Foundation Clubs with storied histories, such as APIA Leichhardt FC (NSW), Avondale FC (VIC), Marconi Stallions FC (NSW), Preston Lions FC (VIC), South Melbourne FC (VIC), Sydney Olympic FC (NSW), Sydney United 58 FC (NSW), and Wollongong Wolves FC (NSW), representing some of the strongest footballing traditions in the country.

Joining them will be eight Member Federation clubs drawn from the National Premier Leagues (NPL) across all states and territories.

This model ensures representation from every corner of the national football community, giving grassroots and state-level clubs an opportunity to compete on a larger stage.

Core Pillars of the Australian Championship

The Australian Championship aims to unite Australian football under the following key values:

Authenticity: Honouring historic clubs, iconic venues, and long-standing rivalries.

Discovery: Showcasing emerging talent and rising stars from across the nation.

Connection: Strengthening ties between grassroots, state competitions, and professional pathways.

Pride and Belonging: Celebrating football’s ability to bring players, fans, and communities together.

A New Era for Australian Football

With its launch, the Australian Championship is set to redefine the country’s domestic football ecosystem, creating new opportunities for players, clubs, and fans. Football Australia’s initiative reflects a commitment to building a thriving national competition while staying true to the rich heritage and passion that underpin Australian football.

As October 2025 approaches, anticipation will only grow for what promises to be a transformative moment in the nation’s sporting history.

Nick Maikousis on Greek Herald Cup, reviving heritage, and South Melbourne’s future in the NST

South Melbourne FC and Sydney Olympic FC hosted the highly successful second edition of the Greek Herald Cup at Lakeside Stadium.

Thousands of fans poured through the gates to enjoy a vibrant celebration of heritage, culture, and football. With Greek music and food creating a festive atmosphere, the event showcased the rich traditions of both clubs.

The match itself didn’t disappoint, delivering an entertaining 2-1 victory for South Melbourne, highlighted by memorable goals and moments that capped off a fantastic day.

In this exclusive interview with Soccerscene, South Melbourne President Nick Maikousis shares his thoughts on the Greek Herald Cup, the revival of ethnic clubs in Australian football, and the immense potential of the upcoming National Second Tier (NST).

Maikousis reflects on the club’s heritage, the significance of iconic rivalries, and how South Melbourne is poised to thrive in this new era for Australian football.

Theo Athans

What is the origin of the Greek Herald Cup?

Nick Maikousis

It started last year and that was the first time the competition took place. We flew to Sydney for that game. It’s based on the fact that we started to develop a relationship with Sydney Olympic and in particular their President (Damon Hamlin) and CEO (Lawrie McKinna) over the discussions about the National Second Division.

The second division was announced as a standalone competition and we thought let’s get ahead of the game and lets show what two big clubs from Melbourne and Sydney can do and that’s basically how it all came about.

We spent so much time with Olympic and the other National Second Division clubs so we thought let’s get on the forefront of this and start the competition.

T.A.

In your eyes, how successful was the second edition of the Greek Herald Cup especially for the Melbourne Greek community?

N.M.

Yeah, it was certainly a success and given it’s really just a friendly so we can build it up as much as we like but we’re pretty delighted with the attendance.

It’s a difficult time, it’s a couple of weeks out from the season so whilst we really want to give it a good shot, we also don’t want to incur any injuries and as it turned out we had a couple of minor injuries which might affect us in the short term.

It allows us to go back to our roots, played a lot of Greek music on the day and doing things that we have not really done for decades now in terms of acknowledging our heritage.

Given that Football Australia and the various federations have relaxed their stance on ethnic names, it allows us to reach out to our past again. Both South and Olympic represent the same thing, we have different supporters, but we represent the same community so it’s a great opportunity to showcase our heritage.

T.A.

Thinking back to the NSL days, can the NST and NPL ever get back to the passion we saw back then? 

N.M.

I think there’s a couple of stages to the commencement of the competition. Do I think it can get to the heights of the NSL? Look South Melbourne was a powerhouse back then and after the Cup game we had a look at some old footage with the 1984 NSL championship legends as a reunion dinner.

We had a couple of past legends there, including Alan Davidson, who wouldn’t stop talking about the old supporter base, how big and passionate they were and how it lifted them during that time.

So I think during certain fixtures, for example South Melbourne/Preston, will fill Lakeside stadium.

Some of the other games between the Sydney clubs perhaps it won’t be quite as full but I still believe we forecasted around 3,000-4,000 people per game so if we can get to that sort of number I’ll be delighted in the early parts.

It’s a competition that we need to build and we don’t know what it’s going to look like in five years or ten years’ time with the inter relationship between the NST and the A-League. I don’t think anyone quite understands what it is going to look like yet but we all have our own idea on that.

Will it be as big as the old NSL? I doubt it. But certainly there will be some fixtures that will be significant and that’s one of the reasons why I wanted Melbourne Knights to come into the NST. Their history and the original derby in this town would have made it even better.

T.A.

Do you think the South Melbourne and Preston game last year was a showcase into what we could expect out of the NST and its atmosphere?

N.M.

The atmosphere was incredible but not only that, it was a cold Tuesday night out at Reservoir. If you put that fixture on a Friday or Saturday night at Lakeside Stadium, you’d be filling both grandstands easily and you could get up to 10,000 people there so there’s huge potential.

T.A.

Now with the NST, ethnic clubs are back in the mainstream, how important is that for Australian football considering its historical roots?

N.M.

I think what they had done to ban ethnic flags and names was going too far but now that they have relaxed their position in regards to that, it’s a very positive thing.

It allows us to do what we did in the Greek Herald Cup and that is to celebrate our culture proudly from time to time.

Certainly, South Melbourne has evolved over the years as well so let’s not kid ourselves. In my case there’s been four generations following South and two of those generations were born in Australia and we’re all South tragics. So whilst we acknowledge our heritage, we have also moved on past that.

Whilst we have a very big Greek community, its reducing a little bit to how it was and the fact that South is in the NPL, soon the NST, we’ve also got a lot of other clubs have suburban level who are sort of competing with us.

Back when South Melbourne was a powerhouse, you’d find that everyone still had their suburban clubs but I’d say 75% of the Greek suburban clubs also followed South Melbourne.

Unfortunately when South Melbourne dropped divisions outside of the NSL, all of a sudden, we became competitors and that’s never what we wanted. So the NST will help us significantly because people will follow their local clubs and now South Melbourne which is a great opportunity for the community and the club.

If you look at our juniors, the cultural diversity as well is extraordinary, so whilst we respect our heritage, it suggests we have moved on.

T.A.

The NST will bring something fresh because apart from the finals, there isn’t much to play for in NPL so how will that benefit the club?

N.M.

Look the positive thing about this year is that there will be plenty of healthy games like Heidelberg, Oakleigh, Melbourne Victory got promoted and of course Preston is in there as well.

They have replaced teams which didn’t have massive followings so I’m looking forward to quite a few games with great attendances. It’ll be a great season.

Most Popular Topics

Editor Picks

Send this to a friend