The Angling Trust and Drennan International are proud to announce a new four-year sponsorship deal with the England Feeder team.

Led by manager Dean Barlow since 2019, the Feeder team earned a solid silver medal in the World Championships in Belgium last October and are currently ranked No.1.

The new deal – one of the largest in international fishing history – will see the Drennan England Feeder squad supported for the next four World events, including this year’s competition in Serbia in early July.

Drennan has a long history of supporting our England teams, backing the Nations, Euro, and Youth outfits for almost three decades from their first sponsorship in 1993. During this time, the partnership with the England Nations squad at World Championships alone saw 16 podium finishes for the team and 17 individual medals, including five golds for Alan Scotthorne and four for Bob Nudd.

This year the Feeder team – consisting of skipper Mick Vials, Steve Ringer, Rob Wootton, Lee Kerry, Adam Wakelin, and Will Freeman – hope to add more gold to that unique record and increase their own tally of 13 hard-fought medals.

Peter Drennan said: “We’re very pleased and proud to have agreed a long-term sponsorship deal with the England feeder team, ranked at number one in the world. With an astute manager in Dean Barlow and a squad of superstar anglers, we can see them adding to their impressive haul of medals and retaining their ranking.

“As always, our aim is to assist in any way we can and provide back up without interference. There’s a great team spirit here and a happy camaraderie that extends to everyone involved. Some of our anglers and videographers are already looking forward to filming the next Feeder World Championships in Serbia, so the feeder team’s exploits can be shared with a wider audience. Good luck to them!”

Drennan England Feeder Team manager, Dean Barlow, sees the new deal as a reward for the highly professional standards they impose on themselves.

“It means everything to the team when a company with the history and prestige of Drennan believes you are worthy of the investment,” said Dean. “From the management to the fishermen, both on and off the bank, we try to do everything the right way. We’re proud to wear the name which has been associated with England teams for so long.”

Steve Fitzpatrick, Angling Trust Head of Competitions & Team England, believes the level of support will only serve to stand the squad in good stead.

He said: “This is one of the hardest-working and most professional squads in World fishing. Everyone from the manager to the anglers and all their support team, give 100 per cent effort. This level of commitment isn’t just in evidence during the week of the World Champs but as a year-round ambition to achieving success. The team’s record speaks for itself and this incredible partnership with Drennan will help our quest for gold medals.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Peter Drennan and the team at Drennan International for their backing. I’ve worked with Peter for many years and know this isn’t simply a sponsorship; this is a huge commitment with the full weight of the company right behind the squad. Peter and his team are passionate supporters of England’s international ambitions.”

Drennan replace Preston Innovations as the sponsor of the England feeder team. The Angling Trust would like to thank Preston Innovations for their decade of support for Team England.

* The Drennan England Feeder squad will fish the 12th FIPSed Feeder Nations World Championship at Bela Crkva, Serbia on July 8 & 9, 2023.