Hull FC’s main club partners, Atropa Pharmacy, have made the incredible gesture of giving up their shirt sponsorship rights this weekend in tribute to Rob Burrow and the club’s heroes of 2005!
The club sponsor has asked to forego their sponsorship rights for this weekend’s Challenge Cup clash against Wigan Warriors and instead have insisted that the club play in their special edition anniversary cup kit once again to help raise further awareness for Rob Burrow’s fundraising appeal.
The Black & Whites recently launched a special edition anniversary shirt in tribute to their 2005 Challenge Cup final winning team 15 years on, as well as raising awareness and funds for Rob Burrow’s brave fight against Motor Neurone Disease.
The club have been raising funds for the Leeds Rhinos legend since the jersey went on sale back in August, with £5 from every jersey sold being donated to Rob to help support him and his family.
The one-off jersey, which was originally scheduled to be worn against the Rhinos at this year’s Dacia Magic Weekend before the event was cancelled due to the Coronavirus pandemic, was instead worn in the Black & Whites’ sixth round victory over Castleford Tigers on Sunday at the Totally Wicked Stadium.
The jersey, which is fronted by Elite Performance Partner Jacuzzi®, was due to be only worn on the one-off occasion to mark the 15th anniversary of Hull’s 2005 Challenge Cup Final win in Cardiff; a game in which Burrow lined up for opposition side Leeds.
By rights, the club should have been playing every other game this year in their regular shirts, which are sponsored by Atropa Pharmacy, including their Challenge Cup matches.
However, the club’s main sponsors have now made the fantastic gesture to forego their sponsorship rights for this weekend’s Challenge Cup clash, despite upwards of one million viewers expected on the BBC, with the team now set to wear the Jacuzzi® sponsored cup kit once again.
Speaking to hullfc.com, lifelong Hull FC fan and owner of Atropa Pharmacy, Bryn Smales said: “Having seen the reaction to the shirt and the fundraising message behind the campaign for Rob, this was something we felt really strongly about.
“Like everyone else I watched the recent videos of Rob and it brought a lump to my throat. He has been such a tremendous ambassador for the sport and deserves all the support we can give him – shirt sponsorship is the last thing on your mind when you watch videos like that.
“I think the shirt is fantastic. I am a fan at the end of the day and a superstitious one at that! So I’m more than comfortable in playing in the kit again this week and hopefully we can take one more step towards Wembley.
He added, “If this helps raise just a little more awareness for Rob’s fight and helps raise more money in the fundraising campaign, then it will be more than worth it for me.
“Hopefully it encourages everyone watching on TV to buy the shirt and they can to help support one of the greats of our game, as well as remembering that brilliant cup final team of 2005.”
In recognition of Atropa’s gesture, the players will also wear special warm-up tops for this weekend’s fixture featuring the Atropa logo and recognition of Rob Burrow.
These shirts will also be signed by the players and auctioned at a later date, with the proceeds also being donated to the fundraising effort.
Hull FC Chief Executive, James Clark, said: “This is an incredible gesture from a fantastic partner and friend of our club – who beyond their sponsorship understand the invaluable role that our club and our sport plays within our community, as well as our honest, family values.
“Big occasions like Challenge Cup Quarter Final matches, live on the BBC in front of over a million people, is prime real estate for a shirt sponsor like Atropa, so the value and scale of this gesture should not be overlooked.
“I hope our supporters can take pride in knowing Atropa are such fantastic ambassadors for our club, as well as supporting Rob Burrow, an absolute champion of our sport in every sense of the word.”
He added, “Bryn, Kayley and the team at Atropa Pharmacy invest a tremendous amount of time in their relationship with the club, regularly going above and beyond for us in what has become a very strong partnership.
To purchase the jersey online, and help raise money in support of Rob Burrow – click here
To find out more about Atropa Pharmacy, as well as their recently launched Blood Clinic – click here
Atropa offer a number of different services for clients, including FREE prescription delivery and Coronavirus testing, whilst also offering 15% OFF certain services for Hull FC members!
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