An Aberdeen ice hockey team has become another victim of the recent downturn in the North Sea oil and gas industry.
The Aberdeen Lynx have lost their main sponsor, oil services firm Rigmar, which pulled out after three years supporting the club.
The move came as oil and gas firms across the North-east tighten budgets across their businesses.
Keith Nelson, chief executive of Rigmar, said: “The current constraints in the oil and gas industry have forced us to make a wide range of painful cuts.
“We have been proud sponsors of our local ice hockey team for the last three years. We wish them every success and look forward to becoming involved again once the industry is back on its feet.”
Despite the loss, Lynx vice chairman John Colley said he appreciates the situation Rigmar is in.
He said: “We fully understand the reasons behind this, everyone across the region has seen the effect of the downturn in the industry.
“Rigmar have been our partners and we want to thank them for their fantastic support over the past three years.”
John added: “When you’re sponsored by an oil and gas company that’s suffering from the pain at the moment then they’re going to take that away at some point.
“We could see this coming a year ago, so we’ve been reasonably shrewd with our money, but we’ve still lost a chunk of cash and it will hurt.
“When you take about 10% out of the budget of any organisation it’s going to have an impact.”
The Lynx are now seeking a new main sponsor ahead of the next season, set to begin in September.
John said: “We are very keen on getting a new sponsor in to help the club. We are the second biggest (sports) team in the city, with 1,000 people coming to every game, and it’s a great way to
raise the profile of any company.
“We are happy to sit and discuss anything with any potential firms interested in sponsoring the club.”
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