Author: Michael Pentland

Club Statement

Open Goal Broomhill FC can confirm that Manager, Simon Ferry along with his coaching staff of Derek Lyle and Paul Slane will be stepping down from their roles at the end of the current football season.

The completion of the 2022/23 football season will also see the conclusion of the commercial partnership between Open Goal and Broomhill FC.

It has been a record-breaking year for the club which has seen many highlights on the pitch as well as unprecedented growth off it.

Simon and his staff helped the club navigate an exciting Scottish Cup campaign to the 3rd round, only to suffer defeat to a last-minute penalty decision against SPFL League 1 side Alloa Athletic. His coaching expertise has also helped develop and improve a number of exciting young talented players in the squad who have achieved breakthrough seasons this year.

This season at our new home Broadwood has seen the club achieve record-breaking attendances with 8k+ fans having walked through the gates to watch the team, an increase of over 6k in comparison to last season. The club also had the highest attended match in the 1st Round of the Scottish Cup with 1550 fans attending our victory over Highland League side Brora Rangers.

Commercial revenue also reached an all-time high following the increase in exposure and attention on the club this season through Open Goal’s partnered online content and distribution on their social platforms. The club’s twitter following has increased by 13,500 to total 20.3k and has achieved 20 million impressions since the Open Goal partnership announcement. Instagram also saw a huge increase in followers, now sitting at 11k, an increase of over 8k since the start of the Open Goal project.

The project has not only seen an increase in attention on Broomhill but Open Goal’s behind-the-scenes documentary YouTube series, Crossing The Line has also shone a spotlight on the Lowland League as a whole, covering multiple other teams and grounds. The 6 released episodes so far have a total viewership of 631,000 views with the full 10-part series on track to reach 1 million views, providing unprecedented exposure to the Scottish Lowland League and its players.

Open Goal Broomhill FC General Manager, George Fraser: “Firstly I’d like to thank the Manager Simon Ferry and his staff for their efforts this season. The excitement of the Scottish Cup campaign will live long in the memory and his team of players have created some amazing moments for fans to enjoy, particularly our Friday night games under the lights at Broadwood.

The project with Open Goal has been an amazing success for us off the pitch and has been crucial in our mission to build and enhance an engaged and passionate community around our club which this partnership has achieved beyond our wildest expectations.

The growth in our online presence has been remarkable and will be extremely valuable to the club’s development going forward. To give context, we as a Lowland League club have a higher combined following on platforms such as Twitter and Instagram compared to some Scottish Premiership-elect sides which proves the power of the project.

We are a young club which has only been operating for 10 years and so this type of innovative idea was exactly what we needed in our journey in building the club’s fanbase both online and offline. It now gives us a fantastic platform to grow the club further both commercially and from a community point-of-view which we aim to reinvest back into a successful football team.

There are plenty of exciting times ahead for Broomhill FC and we’d like to thank Open Goal for their contribution this year and wish both them and Simon Ferry all the best in the future.”

Open Goal Broomhill Manager, Simon Ferry: “My first year in Management has been an invaluable experience and one I will take a lot of learnings from going forward.

It’s been fantastic to work with this group of players and see how much they’ve developed this season. They’ve given me everything including showing their impressive level of character and ability particularly in our Scottish Cup campaign this season. I’m confident many of them will go on to progress their careers further following the year we’ve had together.”

An Open Goal spokesperson: “From the outset of our sponsorship with Broomhill FC, we aimed to support the club in delivering a successful season on the pitch as well as drive the overall interest and engagement in the Scottish Lowland Football League through the production of high-quality, free-to-consume content that provides insight into what this level of football has to offer to a mass audience.

As the figures show from an attendance perspective and online viewership, we were able to significantly expand the reach of Broomhill and the Lowland League by millions through our content including the fly-on-the-wall YouTube series, match highlights and club-dedicated podcast. Such was the extent of the exposure that it allowed the club to benefit from a new and higher-level of commercial input which was reinvested back into the squad and club infrastructure.

Unfortunately, as is the nature of football, success on the pitch can never be guaranteed but we thank the efforts of Simon Ferry, his backroom staff and squad of players who we know gave everything in trying to deliver that this season.

We believe we achieved a lot of our original aims and as such we would like to extend our thanks to every supporter who attended our Home games at Broadwood this season, our sponsors and Broomhill FC themselves for believing in the concept of adopting an innovative approach to growing their club in a self-sustainable and contemporary manner.

We would like to wish Broomhill FC all the best in the future with them now placed in a stronger position to continue their growth with a higher level of commercial reach and public interest which will aid their journey going forward.”

Open Goal Broomhill FC and M&D Green announce Sleeve Sponsorship

Open Goal Broomhill FC are delighted to announce that leading independent pharmacy chain M&D Green have joined the Club as its first ever Sleeve Partner for the 2022/2023 season.

Established in 1996, The M&D Green Group are a family-owned business with 30 branches throughout Scotland, Ayrshire, Renfrewshire, Lanarkshire, Inverclyde and the Lothians with a commitment to providing a first-rate health care and advisory service to local communities.

The partnership will see the M&D Green Group logo feature on the left sleeve of all First Team Home and Away Shirts, as well as branding at all Open Goal Broomhill FC home fixtures at Broadwood Stadium. The M&D Green logo was featured on the players shirt for the first time on Friday night during the Scottish Cup 1st Round win over Brora Rangers, watched by over 1500 supporters.

The partnership will also feature a variety of digital content elements with Open Goal working with M&D Green to create bespoke content throughout the season and M&D branches will proudly host the Open Goal Broomhill FC podcast at various points throughout the season.

Commenting on the Partnership, Michael Pentland of Open Goal said: “We are delighted to announce M&D Green as the club’s first ever Sleeve Sponsor. As with all of our partnerships, we want to ensure added value for our viewers, listeners and supporters and this partnership with M&D Green will allow us to provide our audience with positive health and wellbeing advice and support throughout the upcoming season.

Martin Green, Managing Director of M&D Green Group said: “We are thrilled to announce this partnership with Open Goal. As a group, we are committed to supporting Scottish football at all levels and proud to be supporting Si and the boys this season. We were really impressed with the recently released Documentary and look forward to working with Open Goal team to ensure we support our communities with a with first rate pharmaceutical care.

Open Goal Broomhill welcome Jones Whyte to the Team!

Open Goal Broomhill FC are excited to welcome leading Scottish law firm Jones Whyte on board as its latest Official Partner and Kit Sponsor for the 2022/2023 season.

Established in 2013, Jones Whyte is one of Scotland’s fastest growing law firms, who provide a full range of legal services across the country specialising in Personal Injury; Property; Wills, Trusts & Estates; Clinical Negligence; Bereavement; Family Law; Immigration and Dispute Resolution.

The Partnership will see Jones Whyte branding emblazoned across the back of the original Open Goal Broomhill FC home and away shirts, brand visibility on home matchdays at Broadwood Stadium and also the creation of bespoke digital content features throughout the season.

Open Goal’s Marketing Manager, Michael Pentland said: “Jones Whyte are a young, ambitious and innovative organisation who have enjoyed huge success in their field by challenging traditional methods in legal services.

We are delighted to welcome the team on-board as one of our main kit partners and creating some fun, innovative digital opportunities to engage with our viewers and supporters. We look forward to working with Greg and the team at Jones Whyte and thank them for the support.”

Greg Whyte, Managing Partner of Jones Whyte said: “We love Open Goal.  It’s the funniest football show in the UK. Their project with Open Goal Broomhill is ground-breaking and one we are proud to support as Official Legal Partner.

As a relatively young firm which has experienced rapid growth over the last 9 years, I see a lot of similarities between ourselves and the team at Open Goal, including mutual support for all levels of football in Scotland.

We are all excited to see what the season and partnership have in store.”

Open Goal Broomhill announce Slater Menswear as Official Partner

Open Goal Broomhill are excited to announce Slater Menswear as an Official Club Partner for the 2022/2023 season.

Slater Menswear are a leader in men’s formal wear and suits with 26 stores located throughout the UK and its Glasgow base is the largest menswear store in the world. They also boast an extensive range of products which are available to order online.

One of Glasgow’s most well-known and popular family businesses, Open Goal’s relationship with Slater’s first began in 2020 following the iconic ‘Si and Slaney Suit Prank’ on Open Goal panellists Derek Ferguson and Frank McAvennie, a feature that went viral across Open Goal social media platforms.

This exciting new Partnership will see Slater Menswear branding feature at all Open Goal Broomhill FC home matches, opportunity for Open Goal fans to receive access to exclusive discounts and competitions, and digital content features throughout the season.

Open Goal’s Marketing Manager, Michael Pentland said: “We are thrilled to be working with Slater Menswear, an iconic Glasgow-based family business with an inspirational success story.

“We are happy to welcome Slaters back to Open Goal after they played a fantastic role in the famous suit prank with Frank and Derek.

“It’s great that our fanbase will be able to benefit from the partnership with exclusive discounts on high-quality menswear and we look forward to working with Mark and the team.”

Mark Slater, of Slater Menswear said: “We are absolutely delighted to announce this exciting partnership with Open Goal.

“We’ve been friends of the show for a while now and since we last worked with Open Goal, Si and his team have gone on to perform two sell-out shows at the Hydro Arena and successfully deliver an entire run of Euro 2020 shows at the SWG3.

“We are really proud to be involved and look forward to the season ahead!”

Visit Slater Menswear online here: www.slaters.co.uk

Open Goal Broomhill announce Buck’s Bar as latest Kit Sponsor

Open Goal Broomhill are delighted to announce a new partnership with popular American style restaurant and bar venue Buck’s Bar.

With locations across Glasgow including in the city centre, Trongate and the southside, Buck’s Bar specialises in authentic buttermilk chicken with an attractive selection of appetising wings, waffles, burgers as well as an array of cocktails and beers.

This exciting new partnership will see the Buck’s Bar logo across the top of the back of shirt on all Open Goal Broomhill FC home and away first team playing and replica kits which will go on sale in the coming weeks.

Furthermore, Buck’s Bar will also become the main headline sponsor of the new Open Goal Broomhill FC monthly fly-on-the-wall documentary series that will be released in early August that will provide fans with exclusive behind the scenes footage of the Open Goal Broomhill FC journey.

Open Goal’s Marketing Manager, Michael Pentland said: “It’s great to welcome Buck’s Bar on board as the club’s first ever back of shirt sponsor. Buck’s Bar has become a favourite destination for our viewers, fans, players and staff and like us strives to deliver great experiences. We are excited to work with a creative and forward-thinking group of people and thank them for their support.”

Michael Bergson, Owner of Buck’s Bar said: “Here at Buck’s, we have been big fans of Open Goal for a long time and we are really thrilled to be involved with the new football Club project and proud to feature on the newly created kits.

We also cannot wait to see the first episode of the documentary and are excited to be part of Simon and his teams’ exciting journey!”

Match Report: Open Goal Broomhill vs Spartans FC 23/07/2022

The first game of the new era in the Lowland League for Open Goal Broomhill arrived on Saturday afternoon at Broadwood Stadium under the new management of Simon Ferry. The vastly experienced Kirk Broadfoot was named as Captain as we looked to kick off the campaign with a victory.

The match began with both teams working each other out however no real chances created in the opening quarter.

The first opportunity of the game arrived twenty minutes with good work from Grant down the right wing creating a half yard for the Full Back, who fired a low cross into Semple in the centre of the box, however the striker’s right footed effort went just over the bar.

Spartan’s reacted well and soon had their first chance of the match through an effective press and interception by Russell in the middle of Open Goal Broomhill’s half. The attacker then played a low through ball to Henderson who went one on one but the striker’s low effort was saved brilliantly by the onrushing Wilson.

The away side had another opportunity soon after when a dangerous corner was curled into the box and Tapping managed to get on the end of it but the defender’s header went just over the bar.

The final opportunity of the half came for the home side, this included brilliant interplay and movement from O’Sullivan down the left side which lead to the defender whipping a teasing cross into Cook, his header going just off target.

HALF TIME: OPEN GOAL BROOMHILL 0-0 SPARTANS FC

There was no delay in the action in the 2nd half as Open Goal Broomhill came flying out the gates and they were quickly rewarded with a deserved goal on 50 minutes. Grant received the ball on the right side and the full back then played a superb low cross towards the near post where Semple cleverly flicked the ball into the bottom right corner of Carswell’s goal, notching the first of the Open Goal Broomhill era!

Twelve minutes later and it was two! The home side were able to capitalise on the momentum of the first goal and soon got their second goal of the game. Brilliant interplay allowed Semple to receive the ball on the right side of the box and the number 9 drove a low cross to the back post where the oncoming Cook tapped in.

The away side reacted well and pushed to get back into the game, and they soon got their opportunity. Good movement down the right wing and then a low driven cross allowed the ball to find Henderson in the centre of the box but the forward’s point blank range strike was incredibly saved by Wilson to keep it out.

Spartan’s kept pressing to breach the home side’s defence and in the 75th minute they did just that. Russell whipped a wide free kick to the back post where Tapping headed the ball back across the box for Brown to tap in to make it 2-1.

The momentum swung slightly in favour of the away side and they continued to attack Open Goal Broomhill to try and carve an opening to breakdown the home side’s defence. Wilson was tested again when a dangerous cross lead to a looping header from the Spartan’s attack but the keeper again done superbly to tip it over the bar.

As the game moved into stoppage time, Spartans commenced one last ditch attack. The ball was whipped dangerously into the box and found Dishington at the back post, however the attacker was not able to get great contact on the header and it went just wide of the post.

Due to Spartans pushing for the equaliser, space was left in behind and the game was nearly sealed following a fast counter attack from Open Goal Broomhill which lead to Maley having a clear shot on Carswell’s goal from the edge of the box but unfortunately the attacker’s right footed shot went straight at the goalkeeper.

FULL TIME:  OPEN GOAL BROOMHILL 2-1 SPARTANS

MOTM: O’Sullivan.

Match Report by Conroy Hunter

Open Goal Broomhill FC Announce Who Knows Wins as Main Club Partner

Open Goal Broomhill FC are excited to announce Who Knows Wins, the online social sports game, as the club’s main partner for the 2022/23 season.

The partnership will see Who Knows Win’s logo emblazoned on the front of the Open Goal Broomhill home and away shirts this season, ahead of their highly-anticipated release.

They will also become the headline sponsor of the brand-new Open Goal Broomhill FC weekly podcast, which will give fans an insight into the ongoings of the club and Lower League football. Followers will also have the opportunity to interact with the club and compete against fellow fans on the Who Knows Wins app with the chance to win weekly prizes.

Open Goal previously worked with Who Knows Wins on the popular show ‘Right in the Coupon’ which saw record breaking app downloads and fan interaction on their Scottish football competitions.

Michael Pentland, Open Goal’s Marketing Manager, said: “We are delighted to announce Who Knows Wins return to the Open Goal community and as one of the club’s main partners and front of shirt sponsor for this season.

“They believe in putting fans first, a value we also carry, and the app is a fantastic way for our fans to engage and to win prizes.

“We are looking forward to working with the team at Who Knows Wins and creating some great content through the weekly show for our fans to enjoy.”

Joe Jordan-Richardson, Who Knows Wins Marketing Director, said: “We are thrilled to be a part of this exciting journey with Open Goal Broomhill FC.

“Having previously worked with Open Goal, it was a natural fit for us to support the football club project that will see us create opportunities for the Open Goal Broomhill FC community to engage with the club and each other.

“We are excited to see what lies ahead for the campaign and we can’t wait to be a part of it all.”