Salford City Lionesses score double boost

A football club is stepping up investment in its women’s team with a high-profile appointment and plans for a landmark new ownership partnership.

Salford City has appointed former England international Jill Scott MBE as chief women’s football advisor, while global insurer AIG has reached an agreement in principle to become the largest minority equity investor in Salford City Lionesses.

The proposed deal would make AIG the first Fortune 500 company to take an ownership stake in a UK women’s football club, alongside becoming a long-term commercial partner.

Jill, who won 161 England caps during a career that included lifting the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 trophy, will help shape the technical programme for the Lionesses and academy teams.

She will also support the development of players and coaches, drawing on her own journey from grassroots football to the professional game to help create opportunities for young people across Salford and Greater Manchester.

Jill said: “I’m incredibly excited to be stepping into this new role, helping to drive the Lionesses forward and achieve our powerful ambitions. 

“With the backing and knowledge of AIG, and a team of passionate, talented people at Salford, I have no doubt that the years ahead will be some of our most memorable yet!”

Ed Dandridge, executive vice president and chief marketing and communications officer at AIG, added: “We applaud the appointment of Jill Scott as chief women’s football advisor for Salford City. 

“Jill is an incredibly decorated player and trailblazer in professional football who will serve as a tremendous source of technical instruction and inspiration to Salford City’s women’s and men’s teams as we move forward together on this exciting journey.”

AIG’s proposed investment will support the development of a programme and environment tailored to women athletes, alongside shared facilities across the club and more Lionesses fixtures at AIG Stadium.

The insurer is also expanding its wider commercial relationship with Salford City, increasing its brand presence across the men’s team, Lionesses and academy.

Its partnership includes front-of-shirt sponsorship, stadium naming rights, training kit branding and financial services partner status.

For the first time, all three Salford City teams will share the same front-of-shirt partner and will debut a new kit in ‘AIG blue’ this season.

Eric Andersen, president and chief executive ​of AIG, ​added: “At ​AIG, we ​are proud to ​expand our commitment ​to Salford City ​ahead of this exciting next stage of growth. ​

“Our interest in supporting the Lionesses reflects AIG’s long-term commitment to advancing opportunities for women in business, sport and society, building on our investment in The AIG Women’s Open, which has elevated women’s professional golf. 

“We’re excited to support the creation of professional opportunities and career pathways for the Salford City Lionesses, on and off the pitch.”

The moves form part of a wider push to develop Salford City’s women’s football operation and create stronger pathways for women and girls across the local community.

Gary Neville, co-owner at Salford City FC, added: “We are incredibly grateful to AIG for their commitment to Salford City and this amazing investment in the Lionesses.

“We’re fortunate to have the backing of a world-class brand, which will be right behind our women’s and men’s teams in their next chapter.”

Janey Whiteside, chair of Salford City Lionesses, added: “AIG ​has ​already ​helped ​us to ​accelerate our ​strategic goals with their global ​level of investment ​and ​expertise, and this next stage of our work together in support of the Salford City Lionesses is a ​strong statement ​of their belief in achieving ​our ​shared ambitions. 

“We ​are ​truly thankful ​to have the ​support ​and ​leadership of Eric Andersen, ​and we ​are excited ​to ​see the progression ​and success that this ​enhanced ​support ​of AIG will ​inspire.”

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