Hull FC to be given greater investment by major sponsor

One of Hull FC’s major sponsors, Atropa Pharmacy, has announced its pledge to invest more into the club following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Atropa Pharmacy have been working closely with the club since 2019 and last season pledged their support by agreeing a long-term deal to be the club’s main partners through to the end of the 2023 season.

In a further show of loyalty to the Black & Whites, they have now increased their investment over the next two seasons to help support the club in the wake of the Covid pandemic.

The partnership sees Atropa Pharmacy and sister company The Blood Clinic by Atropa feature on the club’s official playing shirts, replica shirts and off-field clothing ranges, as well as being involved with several community and supporter initiatives.

In addition, the Atropa team, who also specialise in Covid-19 testing, have provided invaluable medical and welfare support to the club’s first-team, academy players and coaching staff over the last 18 months.

The rapidly expanding pharmaceuticals company are based in Hull but provide a nationwide service, including online prescription orders and door-to-door delivery, including free prescription delivery for Hull FC members.

The Blood Clinic by Atropa offers a comprehensive list of health checks, blood testing, flu jabs and Coronavirus tests, specialising in same day and on-location testing which has seen them expand their work in the sports sector, as well as offshore operations and large commercial firms.

They have also played in key role in supporting the primary care response to the pandemic, delivering services to care homes and supporting the NHS.

Bryn Smales, Company Director at Atropa Pharmacy commented: “The association with Hull FC has allowed us to promote our organisation and engage with more people and more organisations who can benefit from our services.

“More importantly, the partnership allows us to widely encourage key health messages and access to several important services, which hopefully makes a difference on a daily basis.

“We want to improve access to key services, improve waiting times for support and treatment, and promote the importance of good physical and mental health – including challenging the stigma around health checks for men.”

“Our community values are firmly aligned, and we have formed a strong relationship with the club and the many good people involved there, which has made it a very straightforward decision for us.”

He continued, “We are fully committed to the club and proud to play our part in the supporting their recovery from the pandemic and their aims for the future, and we are as determined as they are to see the club grow.”

Established in 2013, Atropa Pharmacy have quickly grown from a local pharmacy to a national provider.

In 2018, they relocated to new purpose-built premises on National Avenue in Hull, which is close to the club’s first-team training ground, whilst establishing an online presence on a national scale.

Their location has helped enhance their support of the club’s performance programme, including state-of-the-art testing services which are used to assess the players and guide individual training and recovery programmes.

Hull FC Chief Executive, James Clark, has praised Atropa Pharmacy for their unprecedented support and feels their commitment highlights the continued progress being made behind the scenes at the club.

“This is a fantastic gesture from Atropa Pharmacy which demonstrates their incredible loyalty and commitment to Hull FC and reflects the strength of the club’s much-improved commercial profile and partnership delivery,” he said.

“This is the definition of a true partnership; their support is much more than a financial investment. Whilst they might be our most prominent commercial partner, they also have a genuine understanding of the club at all levels and a willingness to support wherever possible on an operational level, which has been invaluable over the last 18 months.

“Bryn, Kayley and the rest of the team at Atropa and The Blood Clinic have been unwavering in their support on a professional and personal level, and they have done it with genuine loyalty and gratitude.”

He added, “We are determined to reward their support on and off the field over the coming years and ensure Hull FC can continue to help raise the profile of Atropa Pharmacy and the invaluable services they provide.”