Nottingham Forest have announced a new shirt sponsor for the second part of the season, having struck up a partnership with an international charity.
From January, the men’s and women’s teams will have the logo of UK for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, on the front of their shirts. The club say it is “as a sign of solidarity for families who have been forced to flee their homes and communities”.
Owner Evangelos Marinakis said: “We are delighted that for the remainder of the season we will use the front of the famous Nottingham Forest shirt to tell such an important story. It will be an honour to display their name on our shirt in support of this important cause.
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“I am proud to have partnered with the United Nations’ global work before, with Olympiacos FC back in 2013. We supported UNICEF for four years, choosing to make a significant financial contribution to their charitable work rather than taking income from a sponsor, and giving their cause prominence on the front, and then the back, of the Olympiacos shirt.
“I hope fans of Nottingham Forest will also be proud that we have chosen to highlight the work of UNHCR for the remainder of the season, in addition to the local causes our Community Trust supports. This comes at a time when the world faces enormous challenges in helping the most vulnerable people in society.”
The charity supports relief efforts for people fleeing conflict and persecution around the world. The Reds follow in the footsteps of Spanish giants Barcelona, who announced a partnership with UNHCR in March to help fund relief for displaced communities in countries such as Colombia and Uganda, as well as other support such as sporting equipment. Forest have also made a cash donation to support international relief efforts.
Additionally, the club say they will use their “commercial and marketing channels to drive awareness of UNHCR’s humanitarian work, such as the delivery of emergency shelter, medical aid, water and sanitation when families are forced from their homes by conflict and persecution”.
Chairman Nicholas Randall KC said: "We are proud of our track record of using the power of Nottingham Forest and football as a force for good in our local community. Our ascension to the Premier League in the summer now offers us an invaluable opportunity to extend that on an international scale.
"We are therefore delighted to give UK for UNHCR the platform to raise awareness of its relief efforts for refugees on the front of our shirt. This feels even more pertinent than ever right now, with more than 100 million people currently displaced globally, almost half of them children, and such visibility on our shirt and channels will ensure this vital cause is seen by millions around the world every week."
The Reds have been without a main shirt sponsor in the first part of the campaign, with former sponsors BOXT previously saying they had a “multi-million pound offer” to continue their partnership with the club turned down. Forest are understood to have held discussions with a few potential partners following promotion to the top-flight.
In 2021, the club had the name of local charity Framework on the front of their shirts for a game against Bristol City. It was included as part of the deal struck with BOXT when Football Index went into administration.
Charity work has been a significant feature of Marinakis’ tenure as owner, with the Nottingham Forest Trust also playing a key role in the community. Forest say: “As a Premier League club with a growing global profile, Nottingham Forest now joins other international teams in supporting global human rights, selecting UK for UNHCR as its international charity partner. This follows a year that has seen the Nottingham community, like much of the UK, show solidarity and compassion for families fleeing the devastating war in Ukraine.”
“From fighting racism and homophobia, to standing with refugees, football clubs around the world are using their power to confront discrimination and support people in need,” said Charlotte Boyle, chair of UK for UNHCR. “We are hugely grateful to Nottingham Forest’s generosity and compassion in supporting refugees and UNHCR’s relief efforts around the world. Through this solidarity, Nottingham Forest is sending a powerful message to families fleeing conflict that they will not be forgotten.”
Forest will wear a shirt bearing the charity’s logo for the first time in their match against Chelsea at the City Ground on New Year’s Day. Forest Women will wear the shirts when the FA Women's National League North season resumes in the new year. Details of how supporters can get the UK for UNHCR logo applied to their shirts will be communicated in due course.
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