AVONDALE FOODS IS GLENAVON’S NEW MAIN CORPORATE SPONSOR 5m1x1s

Avondale Foods (Craigavon) Ltd. is Glenavon’s new main corporate sponsor. All Glenavon and Glenavon Academy jerseys will bear the name “Avondale Foods” from the start of the 2024-25 season. 5sj4l

The announcement follows the decision by Bedeck, the club’s main commercial partner since 1993, to the club in ways other than “front of jersey” advertising.

Glenavon chairman Adrian Teer revealed the identity of the new main sponsor at a special event held at the Bedeck Suite, Mourneview Park.  He said, “Avondale is a thriving local company with its main factory located a stone’s throw from Mourneview Park. It is a major employer in the Lurgan area and has been a sponsor of Glenavon in various forms for decades. The board of directors is delighted that agreement has been reached for it to be our main corporate sponsor for the next three years.”

Greer Geddis, Avondale’s Managing Director, a keen Glenavon er, also welcomed the news:

“Avondale is proud to become the main corporate sponsor of Glenavon Football Club.  We are looking forward to working alongside Bedeck and the Irwin family and the other associate sponsors. The Geddis family has enjoyed a long association with the club. It is of greater significance to us as the 2024-25 season coincides with Avondale Foods’ 60th anniversary.”

Avondale and the Geddis family’s affiliation with Glenavon stretches back many years. Derek Geddis, who established the company with brother Harry, was a Glenavon director and treasurer. Wilfie Geddis, Derek’s uncle, was chairman in the 1980s and his brother, Cecil, and nephew Cecil, also served on the board. Derek, of course, sadly ed away in February 2024.

The business, which employs around 400 people, has been based at Dukestown Lane since its inception. In the early 1980s it became the first company in Northern Ireland to manufacture coleslaw. It has since established itself as one of the U.K. and Ireland’s foremost producers of side salads, vegetable accompaniments, oat drinks, porridge, sauces and noodles.

Adrian also announced that from the start of the new season Glenavon, for the first time, will have a “back of the shirt” sponsor. Malcomsons Funeral Service, Robert Street, Lurgan has agreed to provide for the next three years.