Circle of Support: Football Team Scores New Sponsorship from The Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers Charity
The Circle, Hammersmith & City Line Football Team has kicked off a new chapter with a generous sponsorship from The Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers Charity—an exciting partnership that blends sport, education, and industry awareness in a uniquely innovative way.
This voluntary workplace team, made up of players from across the Circle, Hammersmith & City line, has long been a beacon of camaraderie and personal development. Now, thanks to a £600 charitable donation, the team will proudly wear the Glass Sellers Charity logo on their kits, symbolizing a shared commitment to physical activity, teamwork, and the promotion of glass in modern transport.
Lee Self, Train Operations Manager at Edgware Road and fundraising lead, expressed his enthusiasm: “This sponsorship isn’t just about football—it’s about connecting our people with the wider world of glass and fibre optics, and showing how our everyday work on the Underground is part of a much bigger picture. I’m excited about the prospect of working with The Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers on a number of initiatives to promote education, support the work of the Glass Sellers Charity and provide members of the livery and the communities we both serve with insights into transport across London”
The Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers, one of the City of London’s historic livery companies, received its Royal Charter in 1664. Originally established to regulate the glass selling and pot-making trades, the Company now supports the glass industry, education, and charitable causes throughout the City. Its members range from glass professionals to collectors, united by a passion for the material in all its forms—from art to fibre optics.
Craig Kirby, train operator on the line and team manager, has been instrumental in rallying support for the team. “We are really grateful for the support of The Glass Sellers Charity and the sponsorship they have provided. The Glass Sellers Charity have come up with this innovative way to promote their charity which really benefits the team.”
The sponsorship goes beyond the pitch. As part of the agreement, management team will host simulator sessions for members of the Glass Sellers’ livery, offering hands-on insights into train operations. Additionally, members of the train team will provide a rare glimpse into the Underground’s inner workings, fostering mutual understanding between the transport and glass industries and foster links that will benefit the communities served by both the underground and the work of The Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers. It is intended that this is just the start of beneficial partnership between the Circle, Hammersmith & City line and The Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers.
The collaboration also aims to spotlight the role of glass—specifically fibre optics—in the railway network. Fibre optics are vital to signalling and communication systems and this sponsorship places the importance of glass, in all its forms, right at the heart of the team shirt.
This twinning initiative marks a new kind of partnership—one that links tradition with innovation, sport with science and charity with team camaraderie. It’s a win-win for both the football team and the Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers, offering visibility, educational outreach, and a shared sense of purpose.
As the team prepares for its next match, the message is clear: with the support of the Glass Sellers Charity, they’re not just playing for pride—they’re building connections that span industries, generations, and the very fibre of London’s transport system.
