When Footie Meets Phonics: A real business club success story

You know those moments when everything just clicks? That's what happened when we met the brilliant folks at Actiphons through Bolton Wanderers Business Club. Talk about a match made in Lancashire (don't get us started on whether Bolton is in Greater Manchester)

Actiphons are proper clever - they're using sports to help kids crack the reading and writing code. When they needed some big, bold print materials for their video shoots, we couldn't wait to get stuck in. We're talking massive floor mats, whopping great books, and all sorts of props that make learning feel more like playing.

Simon Austerberry from Actiphons said: "It is through this work that we have forged a great working relationship with StopPress who we are currently collaborating with us on a unique and innovative YouTube series which will be recorded early March 2025. Initially this will be recorded with Bolton Wanderers and Salford City Football Clubs with the aim to roll the initiative out to more teams. This partnership has evolved in such a short space of time due to Mike's flexibility, motivation and enthusiasm to help local communities thrive."

It's not just about the print though - it's about what happens when local businesses come together.

Carl Sanderson, head of commercial at Bolton Wanderers, said: "When you build a business club, it can easily become tokenistic but we are proud that at Bolton Wanderers, we are building a community. We are proud as a football club to see this new partnership between Actiphons and StopPress and can't wait to see how more and more businesses develop alignment in the future."

For us at StopPress, this project shows exactly what we're about.

As our Mike Walker says, "This isn't just about printing stuff - it's about helping Actiphons bring their vision to life. When you combine sports, education, and real good design, magic happens. Plus, meeting them through the Wanderers Business Club shows that when local businesses support each other, everyone wins."

This is what happens when you get the right people in the room together. One conversation at the Business Club, and boom - we're helping kids learn to read through sport. That's the power of partnerships, that is.

And the best bit? This is just the start. We reckon there are loads more stories like this waiting to happen in our awesome Lancashire business community. We are already talking with Simon and the team about where else we can work together, as well as a whole host of relationships with businesses in our special part of the world.