AN entrepreneur who as a small boy was its youngest player is about to become Northwich Rugby Club’s biggest backer.

Benjamin Kershaw, through the Golden Egg Group he founded almost a decade ago, has agreed to be Blacks’ major sponsor for the next five years.

His firm has pledged to invest a five-figure sum into the Moss Farm outfit, promoted on the pitch to the highest level in its history at the end of last season, over the same period.

“To me, Northwich means a lot,” he said.

“The club has been a part of my life since I was a little boy, it’s because of that connection that I have decided to back it financially while also offering my time and business expertise”.

Already a regular as a spectator at home games, he feels strongly the time is right to work more closely with the club as it prepares to play in the North Premier for the first time.

A team managed by Director of Rugby Martin Poste classified second behind champions Burnage in North One West after the RFU called an early end to the 2019-2020 campaign in March because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Northwich’s reward will be to play in the fifth tier of the English Clubs Championship when the sport is safe to resume again.

“The team’s performance on the field needs to be matched by ours off it,” said Richard Wilding, Northwich’s sales and marketing director.

“If we are to establish ourselves in a higher division, then it’s essential to have financial stability, something we can achieve thanks to the Golden Egg Group’s generous backing.”

The players do not know yet when they will be able to begin preparations for next term.

However, that isn’t a barrier to the club making plans for its short-term future off the field.

“Northwich are in the big leagues now!” said Benjamin, who in his role as CEO has established the Golden Egg Group as one of the UK’s leading recruitment firms covering all major market sectors.

“A lot is changing, and a small club travelling across the north of England to play against some truly historic names shouldn’t be daunted.

“I’m passionate about playing my part to smooth that transition.”

Funding from The Golden Egg Group will be used to support both the senior and junior sections at Northwich as well as improvements to its facilities at the outdoor sports complex.

As a former youth team player, Benjamin has been impressed by the rapid progress of Blacks’ innovative Superstars programme for boys and girls since its launch late in 2018.

Richard added: “He understands the club because it’s been a part of his life – it’s in his veins.

“That fuels his enthusiasm, and he wants to collaborate closely with us to develop ideas on how we can move forward in the future.”