Wayne Rooney testimonial: Mosaic will now be produced as new sponsor steps forward with £5,000 injection of cash
The event’s principal sponsor BT Sport had original intended to cover the costs but indicated that it wanted its marketing spend to be put into other aspects of the match
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A mosaic of Wayne Rooney covering 11,000 seats of one of the Old Trafford stands will be created for the player’s testimonial, after a new sponsor emerged within hours of the deadline set to allow the work to be completed in time.
The Manchester-based company Think Money Group came forward on Friday to say that they will provide the £5,000 needed to cover the costs of the 11,000 separate pieces which will cover seats in Old Trafford’s Sir Alex Ferguson Stand for the match on August 3 between Manchester United and Everton - when the mosaic will be unveiled.
The possibility of creating the mosaic has been in some doubt over the past 24 hours. The event’s principal sponsor BT Sport had original intended to cover the costs but indicated that it wanted its marketing spend to be put into other aspects of the match.
That gave the Stretford End Flags, the hugely experienced banner architects, insufficient time to raise the money through alternative means, including supporter donations. The mosaic has to be commissioned by the end of this week, allowing adequate time for it to be created.
But on Friday morning, the organisers of the testimonial – the Wayne Rooney Foundation – announced that talks over several weeks with Think Money Group had seen the company underwriting the mosaic. The company subsequently joins BT and Hublot as sponsors of the testimonial.
The testimonial is in aid of the Wayne Rooney Foundation and its four chosen charity partners - The Manchester United Foundation, Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Claire House Children’s Hospice and the NSPCC. Rooney through his foundation is looking to raise £5m for his chosen charities.
The testimonial marking 12 years at Old Trafford for the player brings an Everton XI to the stadium on August 3, in what will be Jose Mourinho’s first game at the United helm.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments