Major North East employer Banks Group has struck a deal with Durham Cricket which includes the naming rights to the Riverside ground.
The Durham based property and mining firm is now the club’s new principal partner, following an agreement which will see the Chester-le-Street venue become known as the Banks Homes Riverside Stadium. The multi-year sponsorship deal, which forms part of Banks’ celebrations of its 50th anniversary next year, will also see Banks’ branding feature on the Durham Cricket men’s, women’s and junior pathway teams’ kits, as well as around the stadium.
The Banks Group is succeeding Seat Unique as Durham Cricket’s principal partner, with Seat Unique remaining as its official premium ticketing and hospitality partner. The group, founded in Tow Law in 1976, has been a longstanding supporter of Durham Cricket, having worked alongside the club for over 30 years, and it has made a number of investments in grassroots cricket across the North East, through the sponsorship of a number of local league and cup competitions. A number of grants have also been awarded to individual clubs.
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Banks’ partnership with Durham Cricket began before Durham became a first class county team, and back in 1989 its sponsorship enabling the club to set up and run the county under 19 team, helping the senior club on its journey towards becoming the first county to be granted first class status in 70 years in 1992.
The business has also supported Durham Cricket’s junior player pathway courses for the last 19 years and contributed to the development of the nursery ground, while also sponsoring the county’s boys’ and girls’ age group sides for many years.
Harry Banks, chairman and chief executive at the Banks Group, who also served as president of Durham County Cricket Club in 1998 and 1999, said: “We’ve been part of the Durham Cricket story for many years and it’s a real landmark for us, as a family business that was founded in County Durham almost 50 years ago, to now be starting a new chapter in this very successful relationship.
“Our home county has been the breeding ground for so many outstanding players and teams over the years, and we’re excited to see what all the club’s teams can achieve this season as we extend our support for the home of Durham cricket.”
Russ Hall, managing director at Banks Homes, which launched in 2023 and is now developing residential sites across the North East and Yorkshire, said: “Banks Homes is already making its mark on the residential property market and this new relationship with Durham Cricket gives us the ideal platform for further increasing brand recognition across our target markets.
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“We pride ourselves in our residential developments always being placed for perfection and we couldn’t be in a more perfect location than the iconic Riverside ground.”
After finishing fifth last year in their first season back in Division One of the Rothesay County Championship in eight years, Durham Men’s Championship season will start on Friday with an away fixture against Nottinghamshire, with the first home fixture at the Banks Homes Riverside beginning a week later against Warwickshire. Durham Women will play Essex in their opening game of the Metro Bank One-Day Cup at the Banks Homes Riverside on April 23.
Durham Cricket chief executive Tim Bostock said: “We are thrilled to further expand our relationship with Banks Group in what is a significant moment for Durham Cricket. Banks Group has been a long-term partner of Durham Cricket who have supported us for over 30 years, and it is fantastic to see they are continuing to work with us over the next chapter for the club.
“Banks Group is a progressive, community-minded partner that aligns with our Northern culture, sharing our passion for community spirit and cricket. Everyone at the club is excited about the coming years, in what is an exciting time for English cricket, as we continue to move forward both on and off the field.”