Sheffield manufacturer Gripple has renewed its partnership with grassroots football club Royal Oak FC and Assistant Manager Steve Bracknall for a second season, as the club unveils its brand-new home shirt in collaboration with Sports Direct. Since the partnership began in 2025, Steve has become a familiar face across the Gripple community, hosting customer events, visiting merchant trade counters and collaborating on content that has reached hundreds of thousands of people online. Highlights included an ‘Evening with Steve Bracknall’, where customers enjoyed a football-themed evening of entertainment, alongside a series of trade events and behind-the-scenes content.
Joe Farrar, UK & Ireland Sales Director at Gripple, said:
“This has grown into a brilliant partnership. Steve’s personality, humour and down–to–earth approach have really resonated with our customers, partners and employee owners. Gripple is all about having fun, which is exactly what this partnership represents. Over the past year Steve has helped us bring people together, create memorable experiences and strengthen relationships across the trade.“
Steve Bracknall, Assistant Manager at Royal Oak FC, added:
“It’s been an incredible year working with Gripple. Whether it’s customer events, filming content or spending time with the team, they’ve made us feel like part of the family. There’s a real shared sense of pride, humour and community, so I’m buzzing we’re carrying on the partnership.”
The renewed partnership will see Gripple continue as Royal Oak FC’s principal shirt sponsor throughout the 2026/27 season, with more customer events, exclusive content, supporter activations and trade engagement planned across the year. Fans can also look forward to the launch of the new official Royal Oak FC home shirt through Sports Direct, giving supporters another way to be part of the club’s remarkable journey.
