Vauxhall Becomes Wales' Lead Partner

LUTON, UNITED KINGDOM – January 13, 2011: Vauxhall Motors was today unveiled as the new lead partner of the Football Association of Wales (FAW).

Vauxhall, one of Britain's leading automotive brands with a history of car manufacturing in the UK for 108 years, has signed a three-and-a-half year agreement with the FAW.

The sponsorship includes all senior international fixtures including the Euro 2012 Championships and the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

As well as being Lead Partner to the senior men's team, the sponsorship also includes all national Welsh junior age group teams, women’s football and grass roots initiatives.

The sponsorship announcement comes just a month after Gary Speed was announced as the new national team coach.

Announcing the new partnership at the Cardiff City Stadium today, FAW Chief Executive Jonathan Ford said: “We are delighted to be have secured sponsorship from such a prestigious company as Vauxhall.

“We look forward to a long and successful partnership. I am certain that we in Wales with the appointment of Gary Speed as our manager are on the verge of something exciting and we hope that Vauxhall can share in that success with us.”

Vauxhall Managing Director Duncan Aldred said: "We are delighted to be partnering with the FAW.

"This is an extremely exciting time for Welsh football with the appointment of Gary Speed and we are very pleased to be part of this new era.

"Football and cars are two of our biggest passions and this partnership is a clear and unequivocal sign that Vauxhall is firmly behind not only a successful Welsh senior team but is also committed to supporting grass roots initiatives covering youth and junior football, women’s football and disability football."

New Wales senior head coach Gary Speed added: "I'm delighted to have Vauxhall on board. We are indebted to their support of Welsh football and will be doing everything possible to repay their faith in us."

Today's FAW announcement comes just 24 hours after Vauxhall announced they had become the Lead Partner for the English FA.

Wales and England will meet in a Euro Championship qualifying fixture at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday March 26.