HULLBRIDGE Sports have secured a lucrative sponsorship deal that will see their ground renamed as they bid to upgrade to meet new Essex Senior League regulations next season.

Sports’ new deal, which is said to be in the thousands of pounds, is bigger than the current agreement had by Canvey Island, in the league above, and worth almost as much as Concord Rangers’ naming rights.

That is according to Sports sponsorship and marketing manager Gareth Thwaites.

Thwaites recently joined the club’s board and struck up a deal with a local heating firm that will see Lower Road dubbed The Ryan’s Heating Stadium next season.

And he is excited at the direction the club is heading in.

“The club has been pretty dormant in terms of marketing and it was definitely something we could tap into,” said Thwaites.

“I have coached two youth teams at the club and I got involved with the new committee as I care about the club.

“We wanted somebody to back us from the local area and we have been fortunate as lots of people are giving a little and it boosts what we are trying to do here.

“We have two new first team kit sponsors for next season and the naming rights to the ground was the next option.

“We looked at what Basildon United were getting for calling their ground the Ho Ho Stadium and we were able to get a bigger deal than Canvey and almost as big a deal as Concord.

“I spoke to the people at Ryan’s Heating Ltd and asked them if they wanted a board up at the ground and they wanted to get more involved.

“They will now having naming rights for the next 12 months and they will sponsor the ladies team too.

“We have pulled in a good amount in only two weeks and we are well on the way to getting more. Everyone’s support has been great.”

All Essex Senior League grounds will need to be upgraded from an F Grading to a D Grading come the start of next term, following instruction from the Football Association.

This means certain requirements need to be met, with all clubs required to have a perimeter fence and turnstiles among other alterations.

Thwaites says Sports had no choice but to drum up sponsorship following the news, with the possibility that sides will be relegated if they are unable to meet the criteria.

And Thwaites added he felt confident the increased revenue would help first team manager Darren Manning bolster his squad.

“It is the idea that there will be enough money for Darren to strengthen the team if he wants to,” said Thwaites.

“Hullbridge are one of the only clubs that has no budget, not even for expenses. We spoke to Darren about a a budget and he told us a figure he had in mind which is manageable.

“Once we hit a certain amount and get to the level we need to be at in terms of getting the ground up to specification we can look at the first team.”

And Manning was also pleased with the deal.

“It is great news for the club,” said Manning.

“The guys behind the scenes are working tirelessly to take this club to the next level.”