As we enter the final stages of Wimbledon this week, we can’t forget the part Stockport has and is playing in the success of this world famous tennis tournament.
Fred Perry’s statue stands proud at Wimbledon and oversees the comings and goings of our annual championship. Perry was born in Portwood, Stockport in 1909, the son of a cotton mill worker. He went on to win 3 consecutive Wimbledon finals not to mention Davis Cup and also helped with the invention of the sweatband.
Today we still see touches of Fred Perry from the sports clothing brand to our own dedicated footpath, Fred Perry Way, which spans 14 miles around Stockport and opened in 2002.
Marketing Stockport member Welspun based in Cheadle Heath, Stockport has been supplying Wimbledon under its Christy brand with towels for over 25 years.
This year Christy, part of Welspun Global Brands, has been the official towel licensee for 26 years. The license with the All England Tennis Club has now been extended for a further 5 years.
The championship towels are the fastest selling product in value and volume terms and are used by the players on court, so have become a much revered iconic product of the event.
To learn more about the iconic Christy brand click here