News: SteelPhalt forging the future

A Rotherham-based business is extending its partnership with Sheffield United Football Club, providing a boost for the development of young players and the fast-emerging Ladies section of the club.

In a three-year deal, SteelPhalt will continue to boast the naming rights of the Championship club's Academy at Shirecliffe and will extend its sponsorship across the United Ladies section of the club, which includes the Regional Training Club, helping develop junior female players.

SteelPhalt has been developing and manufacturing high performance asphalt products for the UK road making industry since 1964, sourcing slag cost-effectively from the surrounding steel industry and providing a sustainable way of making asphalt, with at least 95 per cent of the product the result of the recycling process.

Part of the Harsco Metals Group, the company works in partnership with councils, local authorities and contractors nationwide and is based on Sheffield Road in Templeborough.

United Ladies continue to go from strength to strength and, after winning their league last season, are currently doing well in the FA Premier Women's League Midlands Division.

Meanwhile, United's Academy, widely regarded as the best in the region, has enjoyed great success in recent years. Recognised by the FA Premier League for its ability to provide youngsters with the skills required to forge professional careers, it counts the likes of Premier League players Kyle Walker, Matt Lowton, Harry Maguire, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and most recently, age-group international David Brooks, as graduates.

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Martin Gray, business manager at Steelphalt, said: "SteelPhalt has a strong tradition of involvement within the local community. In addition to helping to make our region's roads safer through the products we supply, we like to get to know the people who live in our area too.

"So, each year SteelPhalt is involved in a range of initiatives with the community. By extending our agreement with the Academy and extending across the Ladies organisation, we are really excited to see how our investment can positively impact on the careers of some of these talented individuals."

Paul Reeves, head of commercial at Sheffield United, added: "This is a significant investment from SteelPhalt and a long-term commitment to our next generation of players, both male and female. The Academy plays an integral part within the club and it goes without question the rising importance and profile of ladies' football on a global scale. We would like to thank Martin and his colleagues for their valued contribution."

The deal marks one of the last acts of Dean Raynor, commercial manager at Steelphalt, and a lifelong Blade, who retires after 43 years with the company.

SteelPhalt website
SUFC website

Images: Steelphalt / SUFC

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News: SteelPhalt pens Blades Academy deal

Rotherham road surface specialist, Steelphalt is paving the way for future football stars by becoming the new naming rights sponsor of Sheffield United's highly regarded Academy.

Part of the Harsco Metals Group, the company works in partnership with councils, local authorities and contractors nationwide to "deliver durable roads for a sustainable world."

SteelPhalt has been developing and manufacturing high performance asphalt products for the UK road making industry since 1964, sourcing slag cost-effectively from the surrounding steel industry and providing a sustainable way of making asphalt, with at least 95 per cent of the product the result of the recycling process.

SteelPhalt, which employs more than 50 people, supplies 20% of Yorkshire's demand for asphalt from its site at Templeborough.

The three year long six figure sponsorship will see the facility renamed the SteelPhalt Sheffield United FC Academy. Former sponsors Redtooth will continue its association with the League One club under a new commercial partnership which will be announced over the coming months.

Dean Raynor, commercial manager at Steelphalt, and a lifelong Blade (pictured, second left), said: "The sponsorship builds on our association with Sheffield United. It is part of our developing profile on a local and regional basis.

"Sheffield United and SteelPhalt share the same views on social responsibility and community development projects which ensured that the Blades would be a great investment to compliment how we work in the community.

"The Academy has a great reputation and is a natural fit for SteelPhalt where we pride ourselves on producing first class products matched by a commitment to innovation and sustainability."

Paul Reeves, head of commercial at Sheffield United (pictured, left), said: "We are particularly pleased with this new partnership, to have SteelPhalt on board as the sponsor of the Club’s Academy is a huge positive for all concerned. This is about investment into the future of the Football Club to enable our younger players to have facilities that will enable a hopeful pathway to first team football."

In recent years Sheffield United's Academy has produced a string of players for the first team many of whom have gone onto to achieve success in the Premier League and at international level. They include Phil Jagielka, Kyle Walker, Kyle Laughton, Matt Lowton, Stephen Quinn and Michael Tonge. Current first team squad members Louis Reed and George Long have gained international age group honours.

Steelphalt website
Sheffield United website

Images: SUFC

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