Totallly Wicked chairman Fraser Cropper says their sponsorship of Rovers is ‘emotional rather than commercial’ after the Blackburn-based company were named as the front of shirt sponsor.

The e-cigarette company, whose base is a matter of miles away from Ewood Park, have extended their sponsorship with the club into a sixth year.

They will continue as front of shirt sponsors, having taken on the role in January after Rovers deal with Recoverite Compression was cut short 18 months into a three-year contract.

Totally Wicked had been Rovers’ training kit sponsor since 2018 and stepped into the breach for the second half of the season, and will continue with both deals for next season.

Chairman Cropper is a long-time fan of Rovers, and said: “Our decision to sponsor Rovers is ultimately an emotional one rather than a commercial one, and also an illustration of our business’ commitment to our hometown.

“It is perhaps fitting that in a season which Rovers will lead its campaign with the ‘One of Our Own’ theme, the front of shirt and principal sponsor relationship will be with a business that operates within a mile of Ewood Park.

“Every football supporter remembers their first game, that moment in their life when their lifelong association with their club began.

“For me, it was September 1973 and a 2-0 defeat to Bristol Rovers in the old Third Division as a seven-year-old. Nearly 50 years later, it brings me enormous pride for our business to be Rovers’ principal sponsor for the upcoming season.

“Totally Wicked is a Blackburn business, founded in our town 14 years ago. One of our mission statements that we committed to in 2008 was to build a business ‘that serves and adds value to the community at large’.

“I am immensely proud of our business.

“If any smokers find vaping through awareness that our sponsorship brings, then ‘our community at large’ will have benefited. Let us all hope that the ‘Totally Wicked shirt’ becomes synonymous with a memorable season and promotion back to our rightful place.”

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