28.11.2003

20th anniversary: Browning sponsors match fishing teams with many successes

2004 the fishing tackle manufacturer Browning celebrates its 20th anniversary of sponsoring match fishing teams in the UK. Actually the initial Browning team was o­ne of the first ever commercially sponsored teams in the match fishing world. They not o­nly won promotion in consecutive years from division 5 to Division 1 National Championships, but they were winners four out of the five years and were second in the other as shown below: –

1985: Division 5 o­n the River Severn - 1st National Champions
1986: Division 4 o­n the River Thames - 1st National Champions
1987: Division 3 o­n the River Trent - 1st National Champions
1988: Division 2 o­n the River Severn - 2nd
1989: Division 1 o­n the River Witham - 1st National Champions

In 1989 the Browning team competed in the UK Super league Final in Ireland, and achieved 1990 3rd position at the World Club Championships at the River Arno in Italy.
During the 8 years from 1986 to 1994 Team Browning won 7 separate Angling Times Winter leagues in 7 different regions involving approximately 40 different water boundaries, rivers, canals and lakes. At the same time they were 4 time Thames Championship winners. During this period Browning-sponsored Dave Vincent won the “Kamasan Matchman of the Year”-title 3 times in succession and went o­nto win the individual title of UK Division 1 National Champions, setting a new UK record in the process.

Individually Browning sponsored angler Bob Nudd (M.B.E.) has become a national hero by winning four individual World Championships and seven titles with Team England. He continues to act as a great ambassador for the brand, helping with its success and in partnership with the up and coming new Browning supported anglers.

Bob Nudd

Newly signed Sean Ashby was a key member of the winning Team England at the European Championships 2004 in Hungary and he is now eagerly awaiting this years World Championships in Belgium. Peter Thomas of Browning Wickford achieved Runner-Up position at the World Championships in the under 20 age group – missing the champions crown by o­nly a few grams. Further great results are expected from Sean and Peter – names to watch out for, certainly.

Sean Ashby

The sponsorship activities of Browning have been extended over the years also to fisheries, such as Tingrith and Cudmore. These two fisheries are good examples of the best venues around and co-operate closely with Browning. For some time now the brand has supported Terry Moseley, the founder of the British Disabled Angling Association (BDAA) – a very worthwile exercise for both parties. Last, but not least, Browning continues to support a handful of local teams throughout the UK as part of the investment in the sport and Browning looks forward to many more great moments from their sponsored anglers in the future.

Team Competition: Tingrith 11th of August
Browning celebrates the 20th anniversary with its teams and individual sponsored anglers during a Team Competition at the fishery of Tingrith o­n 11th of August. The press is welcome to meet here with the current Browning teams and well-known individual anglers such as Bob Nudd, Sean Ashby & Dave Vincent. Frerk Petersen, marketing manager of Zebco Sports Europe, the company distributing Browning fishing gear worldwide (except U.S.A.), will be also available.

Dave Vincent