Firm’s name will remain on Latics shirts next season

HILLSTONE Developments will remain shirt sponsors of Latics next season — despite going into administration.

The Boundary Park club’s chief executive Alan Hardy said Athletic has a three-year contract with Hillstone which had been paid up, with next season being the last year of the deal.

He said: “We have certainly had payments for sponsorship for next season.

“Hillstone has been very good to us for the past two years.

“In no way does their situation affect the sponsorship for the forthcoming season and Hillstone’s name will still be on our shirts.

“We know from first hand knowledge that the construction industry is tough at the moment so we wish them all the best for the future for the Hillstone name.

“After the forthcoming season is over, if Hillstone are in a position to talk to us to extend the sponsorship agreement we will be happy to sit down and discuss it with them or we may need to look somewhere else.”

Mr Hardy could not comment on Hillstone staff being upset that Latics had been paid while they hadn’t, but added: “We have a contractual agreement which Hillstone has adhered to.”