BURTON Albion’s popular home terrace will be known as the Raygar Stand for the 2021/22 season with the firm taking up the sponsorship in memory of football supporter Keith Calladine.
Burton Albion and Mickleover Sports supporter Keith passed away following a heart attack whilst attending a Mickleover match in 2012.
Ray Garlick was a personal friend of Keith’s who also has family connections and shared grandchildren with Burton Albion Chairman Ben Robinson.
Ray is well known as a massive Burton Albion supporter who can always be seen cheering on the Brewers on match days.
Ray said: “It will be great to see my company’s brand on the stand where so many fellow Burton Albion supporters watch the games.
“I’m also delighted that we are able to honour the memory of Keith Calladine, a popular and much missed man who loved his football.
“It’s great to have fans back in the Pirelli Stadium and I’m excited about the prospects for the season ahead and I want to wish Jimmy, Dino and all the players the best of luck for the campaign ahead.”
Ben Robinson said: “Ray is not only passionate about Burton Albion but in supporting local sport and making a difference in the community. We have a long-standing relationship with him that involves not only the football club but our Academy and our charity Burton Albion Community Trust as well.
“I’m delighted that we can extend that partnership further with Raygar’s branding being seen on our North Stand – our popular terrace where die hard Brewers fans stand every week.
“It’s also a wonderful gesture from Ray to do this in memory of Keith Calladine, who shared our passion for local sport and what it can achieve in the community. Keith was a lovely man who I had the joy of sharing grandchildren with and he was a big friend of Ray’s so this is a wonderful gesture.”
Raygar Architectural and Engineering Supplies Ltd is an independent supplier of ironmongery, tools and fixings based in Derby. The firm supplies both tradesmen associated to the construction industry as well as the public carrying out home improvements.
Raygar has just completed 26 years in business, hence the slight alteration to the firm’s logo.
Ray added: “We still have that desire to grow and become even stronger and have expanded into the supply only or a supply-and-fit service of garage doors.
“The investment in a vehicle to safely transport the doors direct to site is already paying dividends with over 150 doors in our order book for future installation over the next coming months.”