Open Goal to end partnership with Broomhill FC as Si Ferry departs
It has emerged that Simon Ferry will leave his post as manager of Open Goal Broomhill FC and the sponsorship deal will be pulled just ten months after it began.
Open Goal expanded from their podcast beginnings in May of last year when they announced they had entered into a partnership with Broomhill FC in the Scottish Lowland League.
The deal saw a string of new media content from Open Goal, including a documentary series following the club’s journey under new management. The exposure of the club through the social channels of Open Goal, who currently boast over 108,000 subscribers on their YouTube channel.
The news of their takeover was met with a mixed reception with many questioning the motives of the project and whether it would be a success.
The club had been relocated to Broadwood stadium in Cumbernauld, from their previous home in Broomhill sports club in the west end of Glasgow.
The move was hoped to be a success story for both parties and to bring about a high level of exposure to the Lowland League.
Manager Simon Ferry, who has been responsible for two sell-out live podcast shows at the Hydro, in his opening statement said: “There will be some fantastic online content to enjoy but first and foremost, my role here is purely focused on assembling a winning team on the park with the aim to bring silverware and hopefully promotion to the club.”
Although, just ten months after the new project began, management and sponsorship have been pulled from the club.
This has sparked anger amongst fans of Scottish football who have taken to twitter to voice their discontent.
I’m sure they’ll laugh it off, but there’s been many charlatans in Scottish Football, these guys have got to be right up there.
— Evan (@EvanMcFarlane) March 22, 2023
Selling players with a title, documentary & decent cash for a thinly veiled vanity project, bolting 8 months in because they’re rank rotten. Clowns. https://t.co/gVvCrIMi7Z
It’ll be interesting to see what happens to the club moving forward. Can they afford the ground, the players, to survive without Open Goal? I feel sorry for the real Broomhill fans and people involved in the club that have been ultimately cast aside for a 1 year circus. https://t.co/PlDTH0vclG
— Gaz (@OfficialGarryMc) March 22, 2023
The partnership with the growing sports media outlet also brought about a host of high-profile sponsorships such as Bucks Bar, Slaters Menswear and a lucrative kit deal with Macron.
However, with the partnership with Open Goal coming to an end at the conclusion of the 2022/23 season it is likely these sponsorships will surely follow.
Without the big name of Open Goal attached to the club then they may find themselves in a tough financial situation.
The club has been left in somewhat of a lurch as Ferry leaves the club languishing in 11th place in the Lowland League.
Rumours have circulated that Ferry will be joining Darvel FC- the Ayrshire club who gained notoriety after their exploits in the Scottish Cup this season, as assistant manager to Mick Kennedy.
The future is uncertain for Broomhill as this chapter of their young club’s history draws to a close.
