A family petrol station in North Yorkshire has renewed its sponsorship of Bedale Juniors Football Club.
Hundreds of children will continue to enjoy the thrill of running out with their pals in a new football kit thanks to fuel and forecourt specialists Exelby Services.
Managing Director Rob Exelby believes that the partnership reflects their local roots.
“We employ around 100 people and many of them have relatives connected with the club either as players or volunteers so this is a good way for us to give something back to the local community,” said Rob.
The company’s headquarters is at the Coneygarth site near Bedale, off junction 51 of the A1(M) and a short distance from where Rob’s grandfather, Ron Exelby, opened the family’s first petrol station in the forties.
Since then the company has grown to five sites and the expansion continues at Coneygarth with a set of Shell Rapid EV Chargers set to be opened in the coming weeks as well as a gym for use by truckers using the site’s overnight parking facilities. There’s also a diner, Londis convenience store, and Subway outlet on site.
“It’s a lot different from my grandfather’s day when the only thing sold was diesel and a Mars Bar but we still pride ourselves on being part of the local community,” said Rob.
Bedale JFC coaches Dave Chapman and Alan Barry visited Rob to thank him and present him with a framed Bedale Juniors shirt to go on display at the Coneygarth site.
“We know from feedback how popular the kit has been since we first partnered with Exelby Services three years ago,” said Alan.
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“It’s great news that Rob has agreed to continue this sponsorship and means that every child who joins our club, regardless of family income, can enjoy the thrill of running out with their pals and playing football in a new kit.”
Bedale Juniors provides regular football for 400 children from ages 3-18 with 25 boys’ and girls’ teams playing in leagues across Yorkshire, Teesside, and Durham.
Anyone interested in joining can message for details through the club’s Facebook site.
