Motor dealership renews youth football kit sponsorship in memory of much-missed colleague

A Lancashire motor dealership has renewed its sponsorship of a Preston youth football team’s kit in memory of a dearly missed colleague.

This season, the under-12s team at Springfields FC will wear new shirts, shorts and socks thanks to a renewed sponsorship by Bowker BMW in Preston.

Paul ‘Crowey’ Crowhurst, who passed away in 2021, was a long-serving employee at Bowker BMW and the Chairman of Springfields FC.

Paul had worked at Bowker BMW for over 15 years before his death and was known for his dedication to grassroots football, particularly at Springfields FC.

Jonathan Rogan, head of business at Bowker BMW in Preston, said: “Paul is still hugely missed here at Bowker.

"He was such a passionate member of staff, never more so than when it came to Springfields FC. He was a great coach and selfless chairman.

"That’s why we’re proud to continue sponsoring the under-12s team in Paul’s memory. We wish them all the best for the season.”

Springfields' under-12s play in the Central Lancashire League. Springfields FC is a community club in Preston that offers football coaching starting at age five. Teams compete from under 7s through to adults.

Danielle Gore, secretary and treasurer at Springfields FC, said: “Thank you to Bowker BMW for renewing their sponsorship of the under-12s kit. These are young players in the team that Crowey first coached. We’ve created a trophy in his name too.

“We want to always remember how much he gave to the club and continue to inspire more youngsters in his name - just like the hundreds of other players and parents who benefited from his hard work on the committee and as our Chairman.”

Last year, more than 20 Bowker Motor Group employees successfully completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge in Crowey’s memory - a challenge he’d completed himself several years earlier.

By completing the 24-mile, 5200-feet climb in around 12 hours, Bowker staff raised over £4,000 for St Catherine’s Hospice.