Draper Tools makes iconic return as a club partner
Draper Tools is returning as a partner, 40 years after first working with the club. The local Hampshire-based business will become our Official Tool Partner, with their historic logo featuring on the Men’s First Team back-of-shirt as well as the Women’s First Team back-of-shorts.
Draper Tools sponsored our front-of-shirt for nine successful years from 1984 to 1993, during which time iconic players including Alan Shearer, Matthew Le Tissier and Francis Benali made their debuts for Saints. After which, Draper Tools continued their partnership with us until 2018, and in 2022 they revealed Saints Foundation as their Community Charity Partner.
The announcement comes shortly after we revealed our 2023/24 home kit, which pays homage to the club’s 1987-89 shirt which was sponsored by Draper Tools. This classic shirt has a slight twist as the 2023/24 kit celebrates a different element of the club crest. The 2023/24 home shirt focuses on the Hampshire rose, with over a thousand small roses subtly printed into the shirt in a diagonal pattern. On the reverse of the shirt, the Hampshire rose proudly sits symbolising the city of Southampton. The kit was launched under the campaign ‘For the Badge’ as we look to acknowledge and celebrate the history of the crest.
Charlie Boss, Chief Commercial Officer for Southampton Football Club said: “We're delighted to welcome back Draper Tools as a partner. Their rich history with us makes this feel extra special as we embark on this new chapter together, particularly as we celebrate such an iconic shirt. We look forward to working with them over the course of the season and beyond to deliver a brilliant partnership.”
Matt Sheen, CEO for Draper Tools said: “We at Draper Tools are very proud to be one of the partners of Southampton FC men's and women's teams this season. As a family business, our local community has always been important to us, and we’ve never forgotten our history with the club. Recent years have seen us support the work of the club’s official charity, Saints Foundation, so it feels really special for our relationship with the club to enter this exciting new chapter. After a difficult last season for the men's team, it’s now all about supporting them in what will be a very competitive EFL Championship. Being a lifelong fan, like many of my Draper colleagues, the nostalgia involved in this partnership feels great too.”
