One of England's oldest football clubs, Maidenhead United Football Club, has recently announced its partnership with Marlow-based travel agents, Travelbag, marking another significant milestone for the club. Established back in 1870, Maidenhead United is poised to benefit greatly from this new sponsorship deal, which was made public on March 16, 2025.
Travelbag, which opened its Marlow shop at the beginning of 2024, has made its mark by offering bespoke travel experiences for the local community. Their collaborative efforts with Maidenhead United are set to provide not just financial backing but also deepen the relationship between sports and local businesses.
Natalie Watson, the brand and campaigns marketing manager at Travelbag, expressed her enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “Travelbag is proud to partner with MUFC as we love their passion—not only for the game but also for the local community.” This sentiment is echoed by Maidenhead United's own commercial partnership manager, Sian Lancaster, who said, “We are so excited to be partnering with Travelbag this season and for the chance to add them to our long line of historic sponsors.”
The sponsorship will manifest through advertising boards at the club's home ground, York Road Stadium, which has over 4,000 seats. The partnership will also feature prominently within the match programmes for both the men’s and women’s first teams. This visibility aims to solidify Travelbag’s commitment to community support and engagement.
Maidenhead United, known affectionately as 'The Magpies,' currently competes within the Vanarama National League, the fifth tier of the English football league system. They have built up quite the reputation over the years, not just for their important role within English football, but also for their outreach programs aimed at engaging the local population. This partnership with Travelbag symbolizes the club’s ethos of fostering community relationships.
With over 45 years of experience, Travelbag is renowned for assisting customers through its well-informed team of travel specialists. The agency helps create unforgettable holiday experiences, whether for short getaways or extended adventures, specializing particularly in destinations like Thailand and South Africa.
This collaboration between Maidenhead United FC and Travelbag is not just about football but highlights the joint effort to uplift and support the local community. The funds raised through this partnership will go toward supporting the club’s players and chosen charities throughout 2025.
The partnership with Travelbag is part of Maidenhead United's broader strategy to involve more local businesses and create more partnerships, echoing positive sentiments about community dedication. Previous supporters have included A.B. Walker, A Happy Place, and Gardner Leader, illustrating the club's appeal to various local entities.
Meanwhile, this partnership coincides with another intriguing development from the same area. The Marlow Murder Club, a popular murder-mystery series based on Robert Thorogood’s novels and featuring prominently the character Judith Potts, is making its return for a second season. Samantha Bond, who portrays Judith, has shared her experiences filming, which include quirky activities such as swimming naked in the River Thames. "It’s where Judith does her thinking, naked in the Thames,” she humorously remarked, reflecting on the peculiarities of her character's methods.
Judith’s adventures are joined by her friends Suzie, played by Jo Martin, and vicar’s wife Becks, played by Cara Horgan, as they solve various murders across Marlow, Buckinghamshire's picturesque setting. This series has shown significant popularity both at home and abroad, with Bond noting its appeal to international viewers. “I gather it went down very well in America, which is great,” she added.
The warm camaraderie shared by the three actors mirrors the support seen between Maidenhead United FC and Travelbag. Both projects—the football club's community partnerships and the murder-mystery series—highlight the essence of teamwork and dedication to local culture and the arts.
With such rich local narratives, Maidenhead United FC's sponsorship with Travelbag appears to be more than just financial—it's about mutual growth and fostering stronger community ties. Together, they represent the diverse offerings of Maidenhead, blending sports, travel, and entertainment for all local residents to enjoy.