One of the most enduring partnerships in British sport is celebrating another milestone as Stena Line and Stranraer Football Club enter their 39th consecutive season together, extending the longest-running shirt sponsorship in British professional football.
For nearly four decades, the Stena Line logo has featured on Stranraer FC shirts through promotions, relegation battles, cup runs and changing eras of the game, creating a partnership that has outlasted countless sponsorship agreements across the professional football landscape.
The relationship is rooted in a shared connection to the local community. Stranraer sits at the heart of Stena Line’s operations in south west Scotland, with many employees living and working in the area and maintaining close ties to the club and its supporters.
Over the years, the partnership has evolved from a sponsorship agreement into a symbol of the enduring relationship between two organisations that play an important role in the local community.
Ian Dougan, Chairman of Stranraer FC, said: “There aren’t many partnerships in football that can point to nearly four decades of continuous support. Stena Line has been alongside Stranraer FC through generations of players, managers and supporters and has become part of the club’s identity. Their commitment to Stranraer FC has spanned generations of players, supporters and volunteers and is something that makes our club truly unique.
“To have a sponsor stand alongside us for 39 consecutive seasons is remarkable. Stena Line has become part of the fabric of our club, and we are incredibly proud that this partnership remains the longest-running shirt sponsorship across UK professional football.”
The partnership now extends beyond the first team, with Stena Line recently increasing its support for football in the area through sponsorship of the club’s youth pathway, helping create opportunities for 90 young people across the Stranraer community. The youth pathway aims to help young people, develop their football skills, improve health and wellbeing and increase social opportunities through sport.
Paul Grant, Trade Director at Stena Line, said: “Our relationship with Stranraer FC has always been about much more than a logo on a football shirt. It is about supporting a community that has been an important part of Stena Line’s story for generations.”
…”Many of our colleagues live locally and proudly support Stranraer FC. That is why this partnership has endured for so long. It is built on shared values, mutual trust and a commitment to supporting the communities we serve.”
“As we mark 39 years together, we are proud to continue supporting the club and helping create opportunities for current and future generations of players and supporters. We wish everyone connected with Stranraer FC every success for the season ahead.”
In an era where commercial partnerships in sport often last only a few seasons, the continued relationship between Stena Line and Stranraer FC stands as a powerful example of long-term commitment and community investment. What began in 1988 as a sponsorship agreement has grown into the longest-running shirt sponsorship in UK professional football and a partnership that continues to make a positive contribution both on and off the pitch.
Neil Doncaster, Group Chief Executive of the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL), said: “This is a remarkable achievement and a partnership that deserves to be celebrated across Scottish football. Stena Line’s 39-year commitment to Stranraer FC is a fantastic example of the positive impact that long-term commercial support can have, both on the pitch and within the wider community.”
Stena Line is one of Europe’s leading ferry operators, renowned for its extensive route network and dedication to innovation, sustainability, and customer service. The company’s Irish Sea operations remain a vital link for both leisure and freight customers, connecting Ireland and Great Britain with reliable, comfortable, and efficient crossings.
