FORD Australia and the Geelong Football Club have a sponsorship union cast in stone after becoming the Guinness World Records’ longest sporting partnership – now it has gone further with the signing of a deal to take it to 100 years.

Ford Australia president and CEO Andrew Birkic and Geelong Football Club CEO Brian Cook signed the contract at the GMHBA Stadium, securing the deal for a further five years.

First signed in 1925, Ford and the Cats are listed in the Guinness World Records as having the longest-running partnership in sporting history.

Ford said that “This milestone demonstrates the long-lasting bond between the two Victoria-based organisations, and Ford’s ongoing commitment to Geelong, with its global research and development hub in Norlane, Geelong, the Ford YouYangs Proving Ground, and strong roots embedded across the community.”

Mr Birkic said: “If there’s one thing footy and Ford have in common, it’s the dedication and passion of their fans right throughout our histories.”

“To put it into historical terms, Ford first signed on when we were making the Model T and we’re still here with the club as our Australian team works on advanced technology and engineers vehicles of the future.

“We’ve gone through nine Geelong premierships, 18 grand finals, and 52 finals series together.”

Geelong’s CEO Brian Cook said that after the upheaval of 2020 “there is a lot of uncertainty in the world but one thing we can all count on is the ongoing successful partnership between the Geelong Football Club and Ford.”

“As the club’s sole major sponsor, we are thankful for the support that Ford has given us over the past 95 years. We believe this is the most enduring partnership in sport, and we see this partnership surpassing the century.”

The significant moment for Ford Australia has reached Ford’s Michigan headquarters, with executive chairman Bill Ford sending his well-wishes in a letter to the Cats.

“Community and commitment are important values that guide us at Ford, and our 95-year partnership with the Geelong Football Club is testament to that commitment,” he said.

“Geelong has always been a very important place for Ford, with many of our 2500 Australian designers, engineers and specialists calling it home, and our extensive proving ground and engineering facilities in the region.

“I am thrilled to see what’s next with the Geelong Football Club, and look forward to continuing to build on our strong partnership. Go Cats!”

Today’s announcement, held at the Cats’ home ground, GMHBA Stadium, saw the official commemorative signing of the contract to take the sponsorship through to 100 years witnessed by Geelong superstars Joel Selwood, Patrick Dangerfield, Meghan McDonald and Becky Webster.

Ford said in a statement that its long-standing commitment to the Geelong community was not just with its home club, but also the many retired and current employees from the region, many of whom are employed at Ford’s Research & Development Centre in Geelong and its Proving Ground in the YouYangs.

“As part of Ford’s ongoing investment into Australian innovation and STEAM education, Ford Australia is also a close partner of Deakin University Waurn Ponds campus, funding in part the Ford Australia Women in STEAM Scholarship,” it said.

By Neil Dowling