Veterinary practice scores with stunning new football club sponsorship deal

Harrison Family Vets, who have a practice in Kingswinford, has become the official shirt sponsor of Stoke City Football Club’s famous club mascots - the pair of hippos affectionately known as Pottermus and Pottermiss.

By contributor Emma Mortimer
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The mascots are a familiar sight on home match days at the club’s bet365 Stadium where they entertain fans and support the team. The pair are also regularly out and about throughout Stoke, meeting young people, engaging with the club’s community and visiting local schools. 

They always wear the full Stoke City kit which now features Harrison Family Vets’ distinctive logo across the front of the shirts. 

Harrison Family Vets has become the official shirt sponsor of Pottermus and Pottermiss.
Harrison Family Vets has become the official shirt sponsor of Pottermus and Pottermiss.

The independent and family-owned veterinary group expanded into Staffordshire earlier this year, with the aim of offering high quality vet care at affordable prices, following a significant investment in its eighth cutting-edge veterinary practice, on Longton’s Anchor Road Retail Park.

Matt gives Pottermus a health check.
Matt gives Pottermus a health check.

Matt Humphrey is Clinic Director at Harrison Family Vets in Longton. He explained: “Stoke City Football Club is a huge part of the local community with strong family values, and these are important qualities at Harrison Family Vets as well. 

“Both Pottermus and Pottermiss are a big part of this ethos and although we’re more used to looking after family pets than hippos, when the opportunity came up to put our name on their shirts, we couldn’t resist. The new kits look fantastic and we’ve already received brilliant feedback about them and we’re really looking forward to supporting both the hippos and the team as they embark on the new season.”

Steve Forrest, Head of Partnerships at Stoke City, said: “On behalf of all at Stoke City, I’d like to express our sincere thanks to all at Harrison Family Vets for their brilliant support. 

Pottermiss and Pottermus get comfortable in the waiting area.
Pottermiss and Pottermus get comfortable in the waiting area.

“It’s been clear from the very beginning of our conversations that we have shared family and community values so we feel that this opportunity is a perfect fit. We look forward to activating our sponsorship with supporters on match days and beyond very soon.”

This latest sponsorship agreement comes shortly after Harrison Family Vets donated specialist pet breathing equipment to Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, which firefighters can use to save the lives of dogs, cats, rabbits and other small animals that have been caught up in fires. 

The practice supplied oxygen masks in a full range of sizes that have been specifically designed to sit alongside existing equipment and emergency response kits in the fire service’s vehicles.