Ford County Ground: home of Essex County Cricket Club

Ford confirmed its strong links with Essex County Cricket Club for 2008 by handing over a Focus ST to its star player at its Ford County Ground base.

Ford is the county's largest private employer, and the top-selling vehicle brand across the UK. It sponsors Essex County Cricket Club's home ground – reflecting the company's high profile in Essex.

To celebrate Ford's continuing three-year relationship with the club, one of the first new Ford Focus ST models in the UK was today handed over to Essex and England player, Alistair Cook.

Last month Cook became the youngest Englishman to reach 2,000 Test runs at the age of 23 years and 79 days – beating David Gower's record. The flagship performance model was launched in February at the head of the new Ford Focus range.

Of Ford's 13,000 employees nationally, around 9,500 are based at Dunton product development HQ, near Basildon; Warley Central Office, Brentwood; and the Dagenham estate.

"The association of Ford and cricket brings together two very British images," said Mark Ovenden, marketing director, Ford of Britain. "Essex is the home of Ford in the UK and we are proud to remain a supporter of first-class cricket in our home county."
David East, chief executive of Essex County Cricket Club, added: "We are delighted to continue our successful relationship with Ford. It is fantastic to have such a recognised brand associated with us in what is clearly a very strong commercial deal for Essex County Cricket Club."

Ford's link with Essex County Cricket Club preceded the company's original three-year agreement signed in 2005. Other high-profile Essex players already drive top-of-the-range Ford Mondeos, while Essex and England player Ravi Bopara also drives a Ford Focus ST.