We are delighted to announce that Cherry Red Records have extended their long running association with AFC Wimbledon, a partnership that started back in 2002.
We are grateful that the stadium has been sponsored by the British independent record label since 2005 and the company’s involvement with us spans the 17 years since Wimbledon was reformed.
Mark Davis, Chair of the Dons Trust, said: “I am very grateful to Cherry Red Records for continuing their generous sponsorship of AFC Wimbledon. Besides sponsorship, Iain McNay does an enormous amount for the club, bringing ideas, contacts and, as Chairman of AFCW PLC, constructive challenge when it’s needed. The annual volunteers’ day has become a really important fixture and is part of what makes AFC Wimbledon such a special club."
Founder of Cherry Red Records and the Club’s Vice President Iain McNay said: “The reason we do it is because I’m a Wimbledon supporter and I love the club. From day one after AFC Wimbledon reformed we got involved by sponsoring the Presidents Lounge. I don’t necessarily think we sell more CD’s because we sponsor the stadium, but it’s something we love doing. We still sponsor the Combined Counties League which Wimbledon won back in 2004, and other non league competitions such as the Middlesex Counties League. It’s something that is inherent in our company because nearly everyone at Cherry Red loves football. The staff don’t all support Wimbledon, but many of them come to our games during the season. We are proud as a company to be involved with AFC Wimbledon.
“It’s something we are very happy to do year by year. There was never a formal contract as such. It was something that I agreed with the club and we just roll it over to the next year. I think both parties have been very happy with it. The arrangement brings something to the club because Cherry Red Records are quite well known, it’s a very interesting record label that puts out loads of fascinating releases.
“We certainly get more exposure with AFC Wimbledon as a League One club. Last season the two home matches against West Ham were both on TV. That obviously makes more people aware of the name Cherry Red and then we had that game against Liverpool, which was on BBC One live. We all remember the non league days with affection, but now the club is on TV more in front of a national audience.”
Of course, Cherry Red Records have been at the heart of our community club for many years, as shown by its sponsorship of the annual Volunteers’ Away Day. The supporters that give up so much of their time for free are rewarded by Iain’s company every year – and he says that it’s so important for them to feel appreciated.
“One of the things we always need to remember at our club is to thank people for what they do,” added Iain. “We have around 150 volunteers that help out in one way or another and when people are doing something year after year for no money sometimes the appeal for them can start to wear off a bit.
“It’s important that someone is saying ‘we really appreciate this and we want you to have something from us’. We sponsor the Volunteers’ Away Day for this purpose with fans getting free travel, tickets, and a meal beforehand. It’s important for people to realise that they are appreciated.”
The club certainly appreciates the backing shown by Cherry Red Records throughout the years and we thank Iain for continuing the partnership for yet another season.