Brentford Football Club is delighted to announce that long-term partner the University of West London (UWL) has extended its relationship with The Bees.

The University campus is spread across sites in Ealing and Brentford, while the Berkshire Institute for Health at Fountain House is in Reading town centre. As the Club’s Official Education Partner and Stadium Founder Partner, UWL’s branding will appear at The Bees’ new home for both Brentford and London Irish fixtures; a visible sign of the University’s commitment to supporting the local community as a provider of first-rate higher education courses. UWL will also benefit from bespoke digital campaigns across the Club’s official website, app and social platforms.

Fundamental to the community-focused collaboration, which UWL and Brentford FC have agreed, is delivering educational programmes that help forge bonds between our Club and students, associated businesses and local organisations in Ealing and Hounslow boroughs. Valuable work placements will be available for undergraduates, including opportunities to take part in matchdays at the new stadium. Apprenticeships will be available for Brentford employees, while the Club will provide guest lecturer support.

This new five-year partnership comes at a fantastic time for both Brentford FC and the University. UWL has undergone a £150m transformation in recent years, now being ranked as top university in London for student satisfaction* in the National Student Survey (NSS) 2020. In addition, thanks to an emphasis on work-based learning and links with industry, 98 per cent of UWL students are in employment or further study within six months of graduation**.

Meanwhile, following The Bees’ highest league finish in more than 70 years (third in Sky Bet Championship), the Club left Griffin Park this summer, its home of 116 years, to move to a new stadium less than a mile away.

Brentford FC Chief Executive, Jon Varney, said: “We are delighted to have UWL on board as the first of our New Stadium Founder Partners. We have enjoyed a long-standing relationship with the university, and this new five-year partnership comes at an exciting time for both organisations. UWL students have made a great impact at the Club and our Community Sports Trust, contributing across a variety of departments. I look forward to continuing our successful relationship with everyone at UWL for the benefit of the Club, the university and our community.”

Professor Peter John CBE, Vice-Chancellor at UWL, added: “Our inspiring partnership with Brentford Football Club is just one of the ways in which we are supporting our communities and investing in the transformative power of sport. We know the benefits that being active brings to residents and so many of our students, and look forward to continuing to work together to delivering opportunities across West London over the next five years.”

*NSS 2020, Excluding specialist institutions

** Figures released by the Higher Education Statistics Agency HESA in 2018.