Saturday was a momentous occasion for soccer in Abbotsford, as the local association officially launched its partnership with Magnuson Ford.
The club formerly known as the Abbotsford Soccer Association will henceforth be called Magnuson Ford Mariners FC. The South Fraser Way auto dealership and the club announced a five-year pact in late January, and it figures to be a huge financial boon to the club.
Magnuson Ford has donated a Ford Ranger supercab truck for the soccer club to use as a raffle prize, and will partner with the Mariners on other fundraising initiatives.
“This is what the club’s needed for a long time,” Mariners president Brad Nicholl enthused. “It’s raising the profile of the club, and it’s exciting.”
Saturday’s launch event at the dealership featured a barbecue, prize draws, and a kicking cage. Also unveiled were the club’s new mascot – a muscular blond-haired soccer player named Magnus – and the new Adidas gear.
“Seeing the kids wearing their jerseys with the new logos, it’s really exciting,” said Layne Magnuson Jr., who owns the dealership. “I really feel like we’re working together.
“We’re trying to take the marketing approach we use and bring it to the soccer association.”