The entire Exeter Chiefs squad will be put up for sale as the club launches its new-look website this week.

The online auction started today (Wed) to gather sponsorship for every player in the Chiefs’ 48-man squad.

Businesses and supporters will be able to secretly bid for their favourite player to gain the benefits that come with a player sponsorship package.

Chiefs’ commercial director Michael Churcher said: “We had requests from a number of supporters who wanted to support the club in these exciting times by sponsoring their favourite player. This has primarily been something only businesses have taken an interest in, but we would like to throw it open to anyone who supports our club.

“We have taken the unique decision to hold a silent auction through our website so everyone can have a chance to sponsor a player for the 2008/09 season.”

The minimum bid for a player will be £250 plus VAT and bids will be accepted in multiples of £10 only. Bids can be made by logging onto the Chiefs’ website at www.exeterchiefs.co.uk and clicking though to the player profiles’ page via the dedicated auction link.

Mr Churcher added: “Simply choose which player you like the look of and add your bid to the auction. The highest bid will be displayed on the site until the closing date of Friday, August 15, 2008.”

The benefits of successfully bidding for a player sponsorship package include the following:
•       Name or company logo in every home league match programme alongside your sponsored player.
•       Name announced on the public address system every time your sponsored player scores.
•       The photograph of your sponsored player displayed at Sandy Park Stadium along with your name or company logo.
•       Signed shirt presented to you by your player at sponsors’ evening.
•       Player available for two personal appearances a season such as school fetes, golf days and dinners.

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