Blyth Spartans have acquired a 'Visit North Korea' advertising board at Croft Park. So many questions.#NonLeague pic.twitter.com/WWhgVnk2Lx
— Non League Nomads (@Nonleaguenomads) December 26, 2018
A Visit North Korea sponsorship board has been spotted adorning the perimeter of the pitch at National League North side Blyth Spartans.
The advert has been apparently placed at Croft Park in Northumberland by a company offering “expert led travel” to the country.
https://twitter.com/BSAFCCommercial/status/1078253535526113280
A promotion could also be seen in the matchday programme for the club’s league game against Spennymoor Town on Boxing Day.
Tom Fowdy writes on visitthedprk.org:
Although it is certainly, it is unique and unconventional, Visit North Korea is nevertheless proud to be able to help support the great English game at a local level.
https://twitter.com/Visit_DPRK/status/1078226370604474368
The historic ground, opened in 1909, in the town of Blyth will never have seen anything like it.
Commercial director Mark Scott confirmed that the deal had been “arranged very professionally” and encouraged people to “be nice”.
https://twitter.com/BSAFCCommercial/status/1077992992206663680
The move has come in for some criticism, however.
On social media, Scott has been forced to justify the arrangement between the two parties:
Because we are promoting what is by all accounts a beautiful country and not the regime. @NotMichaelPalin, @channel5_tv and all their advertisers are doing the same yet you don't seem to be demonising them for doing exactly the same as @Blyth_Spartans?
— Stephen Durrant (@BSAFCCommercial) December 27, 2018