After initially collaborating with Southampton FC 40 years ago, Draper Tools is coming back as a partner.
The Hampshire-based company will take on the role of the Saints Official Tool Partner, with its iconic emblem appearing on the backs of the women’s and men’s first teams’ shorts and shirts, respectively.
From 1984 through 1993, Draper Tools successfully sponsored the front of the shirt for nine years, during which time legendary players like Alan Shearer, Matthew Le Tissier, and Francis Benali made their Saints debuts. The next year, Draper Tools announced Saints Foundation as their community charity partner, and they kept working with the team until 2018.
The news came shortly after the team unveiled their home uniform for 2023–24, which pays homage to the team’s Draper Tools–sponsored 1987–89 kit. The 2023–24 version honours a different part of the club emblem, giving this timeless shirt a small touch. A diagonal pattern of over a thousand tiny roses is tastefully put onto the 2023–24 home shirt to highlight the Hampshire rose. The Hampshire rose, which stands in for Southampton, is prominently shown on the shirt’s back. The uniform was introduced as part of the club’s “For the Badge” initiative, which aims to recognise and appreciate the crest’s heritage.
Charlie Boss, Chief Commercial Officer for Southampton Football Club said via press release:
“We’re delighted to welcome back Draper Tools as a partner. Their rich history with us makes this feel extra special as we embark on this new chapter together, particularly as we celebrate such an iconic shirt,” he said.
“We look forward to working with them over the course of the season and beyond to deliver a brilliant partnership.”
Draper Tools CEO Matt Sheen added via press release:
“We at Draper Tools are very proud to be one of the partners of Southampton FC men’s and women’s teams this season. As a family business, our local community has always been important to us, and we’ve never forgotten our history with the club,” he said.
“Recent years have seen us support the work of the club’s official charity, Saints Foundation, so it feels really special for our relationship with the club to enter this exciting new chapter. After a difficult last season for the men’s team, it’s now all about supporting them in what will be a very competitive EFL Championship. Being a lifelong fan, like many of my Draper colleagues, the nostalgia involved in this partnership feels great too.”
Southampton’s EFL Championship season gets underway against Sheffield Wednesday on August 5, 2023 AEST.
