R Banks & Son (Funerals) Limited has been crowned Wigan Athletic’s local winner of the ‘Behind the Badge’ competition – a nationwide campaign from Official Partner of the EFL, Sage, that shines a spotlight on the small businesses that serve their local communities.
The recognition is a key moment in Sage’s recently announced partnership with the EFL, which is focused on championing the small and mid-sized businesses that keep their communities thriving.
Earlier this year Sage, the leader in accounting, financial, HR, and payroll technology for small and mid-sized businesses and Official Accounting Software Partner of the EFL, called on fans across all EFL clubs to nominate businesses who make a real difference within their local communities, from barbers and cafés to plumbers and printers.
R Banks & Son (Funerals) Limited has been chosen alongside a long list of fellow small businesses from across the country who have won EFL match tickets and a suite of Sage products to help them thrive, as well as local marketing and promotion across Sage and EFL Club channels.
R Banks & Son (Funerals) Limited has been part of Wigan’s community since 1921, proudly serving families as the largest independent funeral director in the area. Their commitment to local football runs deep, from sponsoring grassroots teams and providing kits to supporting fundraising events like memorial matches that bring people together. For R Banks, football is more than a game, it’s a way to lift spirits and strengthen community ties.
Carina Jones, Managing Director of R Banks & Son (Funerals) Limited, said, “We’re a family-run business and the largest independent funeral directors in Wigan. Winning Sage’s competition would help us manage our personnel more efficiently, allowing us to dedicate more time to supporting our local community.”
Within the selected small business winners, three grand prize winners have also won bespoke sponsorship packages with their local Club in each EFL Division. These businesses are Chris’s Fish & Chips (Leicester City, Sky Bet Championship), Prime Time Plumbing (Bradford City, Sky Bet League One), and Monarch Mortgages (Gillingham, Sky Bet League Two).
Sally Moore, Global Head of Sponsorship at Sage, comments, “R Banks & Son (Funerals) Limited stood out for its unwavering support of football and youth sport in the Wigan area and its deep-rooted passion for the club. Behind every EFL Club is a dedicated network of small businesses working tirelessly to make a difference in their communities. Sage is proud to celebrate the businesses behind the badge who consistently support their communities and the Clubs they love.”
Emma Jones, UK Small Business Commissioner (CBE), complemented the initiative, stating “The winners of Sage’s Behind the Badge competition exemplify the vital role small businesses play in strengthening our communities. These entrepreneurs are the backbone of local economies, driving growth and creating opportunities for people in towns and cities across the country every weekend. We must continue to recognise and support their work to ensure their continued prosperity in the communities they serve.”
The small business will be celebrated during the Sage Small Business Spotlight, which runs from 24th November across all three EFL Sky Bet leagues. Find out more about the businesses behind the badge and how Sage can support you for free at: www.sage.com/en-gb/blog/heroes-of-the-efl/
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