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ord Australia and Geelong Football Club have announced the signing of a deal to extend their partnership until 2025, bringing the partnership past the 100-year milestone.

Believed to be the longest-running sports partnership in history, both parties secured the five-year deal on Thursday.

Ford Motor Company, Australia and New Zealand president and CEO, Andrew Birkic, said that it is impressive what Ford and Geelong have achieved over the past 95 years.

“If there’s one thing footy and Ford have in common, it’s the dedication and passion of their fans right throughout our histories,” Birkic said.

“To put it into historical terms, Ford first signed on when we were making Model T and we’re still here with the club as our Australian team works on advanced technology and engineer’s vehicles of the future.

“We’ve gone through nine Geelong Premierships, 18 Grand Finals, and 52 finals series together,” he said.

Geelong Football Club CEO, Brian Cook, emphasised the symbolic nature of this partnership amidst COVID-19.

“There is a lot of uncertainty in the world, but one thing we can all count on is the ongoing successful partnership between the Geelong Football Club and Ford,” Cook said.

“As the club’s sole major sponsor, we are thankful for the support that Ford has given us over the past 95 years.

“We believe this is the most enduring partnership in sport, and we see this partnership surpassing the century,” he said.

Ford Motor Company executive chairman, Bill Ford, said the partnership with Geelong reflects Ford’s values over its history,  in a letter to the Cats.

“Community and commitment are important values that guide us at Ford, and our 95-year partnership with the Geelong Football Club is testament to that commitment,” Ford said.

“Geelong has always been a very important place for Ford, with many of our 2,500 Australian designers, engineers and specialists calling it home, and our extensive proving ground and engineering facilities in the region,” he said.