Published on July 8th, 2024
Location: France
VAFC and Toyota start a new story
Paris, 9 July 2024 - VAFC and Toyota today announced the return of the French subsidiary of the automotive group as the main partner of Valenciennes Football Club for three years from the 2024-25 season. This new partnership is the brainchild of SPORTFIVE, an international sports marketing agency.
A historic partnership is back!
20 years after the first partnership was signed between VAFC and Toyota, the production site of the world leader in the automotive industry is making a comeback on the Red and Whites' shirts! For three years, VAFC shirts will proudly bear the Toyota brand on the front and sleeve of the shirt at all league matches. As history would have it, just 20 years ago, in 2004, Toyota became the main partner of the club, which was then in the National League and which was to experience a meteoric rise with promotion to League 2 and then League 1 in the space of 2 years!
The fruit of intense discussions between the club and TMMF management since the start of the year, this partnership lends credibility to the project being led by the club's new shareholders and to the new management's strategy of establishing local roots.
We are delighted to have contributed to the revival, 20 years on, of this wonderful story between VAFC and Toyota.
Xavier ODDONE, Managing Director SPORTFIVE France
Toyota, the largest private employer in the Valenciennes region
With 5,000 employees, Toyota is the largest private employer in the Valenciennes region. Since the very first Yaris was produced in Onnaing in 2001, the carmaker has become an emblem of the region, and VAFC is very proud to be working with it to come back stronger!
Yoann Godin, Managing Director of VAFC, comments: "Being associated with a world leader in the automotive industry like Toyota is a source of both pride and pressure to achieve their level of excellence. Hard work, collective strength, precision, innovation and high standards are all values that have made Toyota a success and which must once again be part of VAFC's DNA. The Toyota spirit is a model for VAFC in terms of stability, performance, humility and local commitment."
Rodolphe DELAUNAY, Chairman of TMMF, added: "Solidarity, passion and training were the shared values we espoused 20 years ago. We are delighted to see that they have come together again today to give new life to this partnership. Toyota hopes to make its contribution to VAFC's new slogan: "Together, let's come back stronger".
Knowing how to be there in good times and bad is the hallmark of a true partner. We wish the Red and Whites all the best!
Xavier ODDONE, Managing Director, SPORTFIVE France: "We are delighted to have contributed to the revival, 20 years on, of this wonderful story between VAFC and Toyota. It's a partnership that makes sense and echoes the shared values between the club and the brand, and which also reflects the club's strategy of establishing a local presence. We can't wait to see this alliance express itself on the pitch."
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About SPORTFIVE
SPORTFIVE is a global sports marketing agency that delivers customer-centric solutions based on trust and transparency, deep industry experience and global relationships, digital intelligence and innovation. SPORTFIVE strategically and creatively connects brands, rightsholders, media platforms and fans to create and enable contemporary partnerships in sports.
While creating and growing long-term value for all, SPORTFIVE often leads the sports business into the future through innovative digital solutions and strives to be the most progressive and respected partner in sports.
Being at the centre of professional sport SPORTFIVE will use its unique position, in order to make a positive contribution to sustainability and to live up to the social and economic duty and responsibility, which sport and consequently all parties involved, also have. SPORTFIVE operates with a global mindset and network of over 1,200 local experts based in 15 countries around the world, active in Football, Golf, Esports, Motorsport, Handball, Tennis, American Football, Basketball, Ice Hockey, Rugby, Olympics and Multi-Sport Events and many more.
Press contacts
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Elodie Thuret
Senior Communication Manager
elodie.thuret@sportfive.com
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