Words John Edwards Pictures Jonathan Moore

Altrincham are both delighted and proud to be able to announce a new partnership with one of the biggest and best-known names in the UK service industry after Timpson became official sponsors of the away end at The J.Davidson Stadium.

In a significant breakthrough for an already flourishing commercial department at the club, the terraces behind the goal set aside for away supporters will now be known as The Timpson End.

It represents a major coup for Alty, with the range of brands across Timpson's portfolio of 2,100 stores in the UK and Ireland making them the largest service retailer around.
The launch of any high-profile alliance always adds to the positive feeling so prevalent at the club these days, but when it's a kindred spirit we're welcoming into the fold, there's even more cause to celebrate.

That's certainly the case with our latest partners, with Sir John Timpson informing us that his rise to Chairman of his multifaceted family business can be traced back to learning the ropes behind the counter at their Altrincham town centre store way back in the early 1960s.

A dynamic leader credited with building Timpson into the thriving business it is today, Sir John has never forgotten his roots and saw Alty as a natural fit for venturing into sports sponsorship.

“We are delighted to be teaming up with Altrincham FC as a club sponsor for the next three years," he said. "I started work in our Altrincham shop 64 years ago, and Alty FC, being so close to our main office, feels like a natural home for our sponsorship.”

Welcome aboard, Sir John and everyone connected with Timpson, and the sense of excitement and enthusiasm within The J.Davidson Stadium at attaching such a nationally-renowned name to our away end terraces was summed up by the club's chief executive officer Sam Mackenzie, who said: "Our new sponsorship with Timpson is a fantastic opportunity to continue the elevation of the football club’s profile by partnering with another nationally recognised and trusted brand.

"However, my favourite part of the partnership is the association with the local branch in the heart of Altrincham town centre. I don’t know many people who haven’t used the fantastic services on offer there from Gary and his colleagues, and it’s exciting to be working with the company at local and national level.

"The Timpson brand fits with our community strategy as we continue to build on our local community links through businesses, schools and colleges, our Juniors and Altrincham FC Community Sports. A football club sitting right at the heart of our local community."

Timpson's history dates back considerably further than Sir John's days as a junior learning the ropes in Altrincham's shopping centre. It actually stretches all the way back to when shoemaker William Timpson joined forces with his brother-in-law Walter Joyce to open a shop selling footwear on Oldham Road in Manchester way back in 1865.

One hundred and sixty years on, there are retail stores numbering in excess of 2,000 and online services catering for a whole range of needs, such as door-to-door locksmiths, carpet cleaner hire, engraving, gate and garage remotes, dry cleaning, key cutting and walk-in barbershops, as well as repairs to keys, watches, phones, shoes, general clothing and tablets.

Based at Timpson House in Wythenshawe, some familiar names have been incorporated into the Timpson Group in recent times, including Max Spielmann, Johnsons The Cleaners and The Watch Lab, while The Partridge pub/restaurant also figures prominently on their list of assets.

Located in the idyllic, leafy Cheshire countryside at Stretton, The Partridge combines comfort, character and cuisine of the highest order in a sumptuous setting, making it the ideal venue for a celebration or simply a memorable evening out, with the added attraction of being dog-friendly and having cosy, comfortable rooms for overnight stays.
Catch everything they have to offer by visiting their website here.

While Timpson are undoubtedly big business, they have, at their core, a caring nature that reaches out to every single employee and beyond. In-store staff are encouraged to take responsibility for the smooth running of the shop they work in and to help create a welcoming atmosphere with a random act of kindness each day.

In addition, the Timpson Foundation champions marginalised groups, focusing on the recruitment and rehabilitation of ex-offenders. It operates prison-based training academies that provide education, skills and employment opportunities, fostering second chances, reducing re-offending rates and strengthening communities.
To their eternal credit, they believe in backing words with deeds, as evidenced by 10 per cent of their workforce comprising individuals with criminal convictions, grateful for the opportunity to put their lives back on track.

Alty branch manager Gary and his son James are already regulars at The J.Davidson Stadium - we are absolutely delighted that the entire Timpson family can now count themselves part of the ongoing success story at The J.Davidson Stadium.