We are delighted to announce the Washington United FC (WUFC) First Team has secured the backing of the UK’s largest trade union, Unite, for the team’s first full uninterrupted season in the non-league.

The WUFC First Team, which was launched in 2020 as a non-league football alternative for Washington, has agreed a deal with Unite that will see the union become the team’s front of shirt sponsor for the 2021/22 season.

Unite the Union’s Nissan branch, which represents a significant proportion of the 6,000-strong workforce based at Nissan’s Washington plant, has backed the club’s new community-focused project that will enable the club to achieve its ambition of creating a clear development pathway for young players from its youth setup, into adult’s football.

Paul Cox, Convenor for Unite the Union at Nissan, said:

“We are proud to support the Washington United FC First Team project and recognise the significant social impact something like this can have on the local community. We look forward to building a strong relationship with Washington United FC and to creating opportunities for our members and their families to get involved with the club.”

Alan Oliver, Head of Football for WUFC’s newly created first team, added:

“We are delighted that Unite the Union at Nissan has decided to become the main shirt sponsor of our newly created men’s team and we would like to thank them for their valuable support.

“With a population of more than 67,000 people, Washington is a town passionate about football with a strong amateur footballing culture. We hope to create a non-league football alternative that will bring local residents together on a Saturday afternoon and it is fantastic Unite the Union will be a part of this.”

Gary Collin, General Manager of Nissan Leisure, added:

“This is a hugely exciting partnership that will bring great benefits to members of both Unite the Union and Nissan Sports and Leisure Complex. It creates a direct link into community football via Washington United FC, and with the passion and involvement of Paul Cox and Craig McDonald, we can signpost members, along with their families and friends, to some fantastic opportunities in local grassroots football.”

The club, which plays in the Wearside League Division One, has created a men’s first team to compete against amateur opposition from across the North East, North Yorkshire and Cumbria, with the aim of building a clear development pathway for young players in its junior teams.

The club’s junior setup, which has been running for more than twenty years out of Southern Area Playing Fields in Rickleton, creates hundreds of opportunities for young people every year, to develop their footballing skills and compete with teams from across the North East.

WUFC First Team’s home games are played at Nissan Sports and Leisure Complex and tickets are priced at £3 for adults and £1 for anyone aged 16 or under, with refreshments available for supporters on site.

Image caption, from left to right:

Alan Oliver, Head of Football for WUFC First Team, Craig McDonald, Deputy Convenor for Unite, Gary Collin, General Manager for Nissan Leisure, and Paul Cox, Convenor for Unite at Nissan.