Brooklands top-flight return gets a boost (From Messenger Newspapers)

Brooklands top-flight return gets a boost

2:20pm Monday 17th September 2012 in Sport

BROOKLANDS Manchester University Hockey Club¹s return to the big-time has been boosted by a sponsorship deal from Clearsky Accounting.

The Warrington-based accountancy and HR support company have given Brooklands the biggest financial backing they have ever had and just at the right time.

Their promotion back into the Premier division of England Hockey after playing last season in the regional North Conference means much more travel with, for instance, a visit to Canterbury on the opening day of the season.

Coach John Bell said: "It¹s a tough league to play in because we now play against the clubs whose players did so well for the Great Britain team that reached the semi-finals in the London Olympics this summer.

"We will need to concentrate our minds on our matches and at least now we won¹t have to worry so much about travel costs and the expense of playing all over the country.

"It could make the difference between establishing ourselves in the Premier rather than coming straight back down after a couple of seasons which is what happened the last time we won promotion," he added.

The Brooklands team will carry the Clearsky name on their shirts and leisure wear, and presented the accountancy company¹s managing director, Derek Kelly, with a sample of their new playing kit at the official launch at their Georges Road ground in Sale.

Brooklands are now the only club in the area playing in the Premier League following Bowdon¹s relegation at the end of last season.

They will have one of the youngest teams in the top division but coach Bell believes they have players who will develop.

Two of the side, David Flanagan and Nick Giles, are in the England Under-21 squad, recently returned from an international tournament in Holland and preparing now for the youth Olympics in Australia in January.