All Square in ‘Local Derby’

Vitax’s chairman, Paul Gooding (far right) pictured with team captains, officials and Vitax’s director in Skelmersdale – Carl Welsh (far left) prior to kick-off

Easter weekend’s football match between Northern Premier League teams Coalville Town FC and Skelmersdale United FC had an added competitive edge for one local business.

Vitax Limited, whose head office is based opposite the Mander Cruickshank Solicitors Stadium in Coalville, hosted colleagues from its manufacturing facility in Skelmersdale, who made the journey down for the ‘local’ derby.

Vitax’s Skelmersdale facility is opposite Skelmersdale United’s ground, and it was the first time Vitax has been able to take its rivalry pitchside, following The Ravens promotion to the Evo-Stik League Northern Premier last year.

There was a true battle both on and off the pitch, and Coalville went 2-0 up at half time, only to be pegged back early in the second half to 2-2.  

The game eventually ended in a 3-3 draw which was the perfect result as Vitax’s chairman, Paul Gooding, explains: “The six-goal thriller certainly intensified the rivalry between the two sites during the match, but as I have a foot in each camp I think the draw was a fair result.

“Football fans from our Skelmersdale facility travelled down for the ‘Vitax derby’ and even contributed to the vote for the players who received the ‘Man of the Match’ awards.  We were also able to meet the players afterwards which was great.”

Vitax sponsored both ‘Man of the Match’ awards with Lee Torr receiving the award for Coalville Town FC and Bevan Burey taking away the award for Skelmersdale United FC.

In addition to sponsoring the ‘Man of the Match’ awards, Vitax also has a commercial relationship with both clubs as Vitax Supaturf supplies line marking paint to both grounds.