ECB Secures Umpires Deal With Specsavers

Specsavers has become the Official Optometry and Hearing Partner of the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the principal partner of the Association of Cricket Officials (ACO), and will benefit from branding on clothing worn by all umpires in First Class county cricket.

The three-year deal will see Specsavers branding on umpires clothing in this season’s LV= County Championship, NatWest T20 Blast (from May 16) and Royal London One-Day Cup (from 26 July).

The partnership includes brand exposure on clothing of ACO appointed umpires in the latter stages of the Royal London National Club Championship and NatWest Club T20 Matches, as well as ECB County Age Group competitions. Specsavers will also support numerous awards to recognise outstanding umpires.

David Collier, Chief Executive of the ECB, said: “This partnership is of great benefit to the ECB, ACO and the game’s umpires themselves. It recognises the importance of umpires and officials and ECB is indebted to Specsavers for this sponsorship.”

Richard Holmes, Specsavers marketing director, said: “Technological advancements in recent years have certainly helped umpires but we will always rely on their personal judgements too and at Specsavers we are glad to do our bit where we can to help ensure they get the best possible support to do their job.”