Kent’s historic home to change name under Shepherd Neame deal

Kent County Cricket Club has agreed a naming rights deal with Shepherd Neame to rebrand its home ground.

Kent County Cricket Club has agreed a 10-year naming rights deal with the Shepherd Neame brewery which will see its home rebranded as The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence.

The renaming of the English club’s historic 140-year-old ground reflects one of Shepherd Neame’s beer brands, along with the identity of Kent’s limited overs team.

The announcement extends the locally-based brewery’s long term commitment to the club and will also include ground branding and covers a number of marketing rights. Shepherd Neame will also continue to supply the club’s beer, wines and spirits, while the Spitfire brand will remain on the team’s Twenty20 playing kit.

“Our relationship with the club is already strong and this allows us to build on that commitment,” Jonathan Neame, chief executive of Shepherd Neame, said. “We have witnessed the transformation of the ground in recent years and I am delighted to back the club in their pursuit of further success both on and off the field.”