TV’s Dave stands firm in support of Clarets

One of Burnley FC’s big name sponsors is set to renew his support to the club that he has backed financially for more than a decade.

Dave Fishwick has sponsored the historic Cricket Field Stand for 15 years but is stepping aside from that commitment.

“I now want to provide more direct support and I am looking to purchase some shares in the club,” said the popular businessman and television personality.

“When I first became involved in sponsoring the Clarets, the money we provided through sponsorship was vital to the club’s finances.

“But things have changed with fantastic revenues coming into the club through TV and other deals.

“While that’s great news for the club, I want to be sure that what I do can really make a difference.

“What I’m best at is running successful businesses and helping other people make their businesses more successful.

“And that’s what my intention is at the football club,” added Dave who is looking at possibilities to purchase some shares through private channels from existing shareholders.

Dave doesn’t have ambitions to sit on the board of directors, but he is offering himself as a key adviser should he be successful in securing a shareholding.

“By sitting just on the fringes as a shareholder, I can be very useful to Burnley FC,” he added. “One of my strengths is seeing things differently and that can be more effective when you are one step away from executive control.”

Dave’s stand sponsorship coincided with a dramatic period in the Clarets’ history which has seen three promotions and two relegations.

He said: “It has been a real rollercoaster, not only for me but for everyone who supports the club.

“We’ve had our lows and our highs, thankfully at the moment it is the latter!”

Dave made his mark in business as owner of David Fishwick Van and Minibus Sales, the largest supplier of minibuses in Britain.

He came to wider attention after setting up Burnley Savings and Loans, branded as Bank on Dave.

The opening of the business led to BAFTA award-winning Channel 4 shows, Bank of Dave, which were also broadcast internationally, and spawned the Sunday Times Business Bestseller book of the same name.

His is currently in the final stages of obtaining a full banking licence which would enable him to launch a high street banking group; meaning Dave is on track to become the youngest person in the world to own a bank.

Since his first television foray, Dave has fronted a variety of other Channel 4 programmes including Can Property Pay Your Wages, Dave’s Guide to Spending Money and The Shopper’s Guide to Saving Money.

More television programmes are planned and Dave has begun work on a huge and brand new six-part series for Channel 4, How to Get Rich Quick.

He is also an in-demand speaker at corporate events, an expert media commentator and writes columns for two national newspapers.

Away from work, Dave supports a number of charitable projects and on his sporting agenda is a desire to give increased support to grassroots operations.

“Helping to encourage and develop the talent of the future is something which is really satisfying,” he added. “Sport can also provide a focus for young people and that’s something I’d like to encourage.”