BASINGSTOKE rugby club is on the lookout for a new leading backer after learning it is to lose main sponsor FX Management Services.

Bosses at the Down Grange club have been told that their leading backer of the last two years will not be extending the relationship. The support from FX in the last year is thought to have been worth close to £40,000.

While the news is a blow, rugby club chairman Steve Tristram is optimistic that other local companies will take their place.

He said: "FX are not continuing their arrangement so we are looking for a main sponsor.

"We have a few people who are interested already and we're talking to one or two people.

"We are in a reasonably sound position at the moment and we certainly aren't in desperation straits. I'm not too despondent about it."

Tristram said the club, in some ways, would prefer the backing of several different sponsors to having one major backer.

"It's not just about money," he said. "We want someone who wants to be involved with the club as well. It's an exciting time for us and I'm confident that we'll get someone."

Explaining FX's choice not to continue their sponsorship, managing director Stuart Gordon told The Gazette: "It was a very difficult decision. We have supported Basingstoke rugby club for two years, and the sums involved came to £100,000. I did feel, though, there was a bit lacking in terms of the level of support towards us as a sponsor.

"Basically, we want to put our money back into the community, which we like to do, in some other way.

"We considered changing our profile and sponsoring Hamp-shire cricket, but when nothing came of that we decided to take a year out.

"It's all been very amicable, though Basingstoke were naturally very disappointed. But we are still keeping an open relationship with the club."

Gordon added that the Basingstoke-based logistics company would not "close the door" on any future sponsorship with the rugby club and may still consider investing in its community development scheme.

Speaking about their deal over the last two years, he said: "It's very difficult to put a cash-worth on our time with Basingstoke.

"We have had a lot of intangible benefits, one of which was the amount of temporary workers. Lots came to us from the rugby club, particularly the overseas players, which helped us raise our profile locally.

"I would say we got fairly good value from our association, but we want to pursue other ways we can invest in the local community. We wish Basingstoke well in the coming season."

Basingstoke, who will be starting a second season in national league division three south, are also seeking to appoint a new community development officer following Jon Cant's move to Brighton. He parted amicably with the club and has taken a similar post at the south coast town to be near his fiance.

Several potential replacements for Cant have been interviewed and three or four have been shortlisted. "It's an important post for us," said Tristram.

However, should Tristram's optimism over new sponsorship prove unfounded and the expected backing not materialise, the club would be forced into a considerable re-think. "We would have to curtail quite considerably what we do," admitted the chairman.

A presentation evening for current and potential sponsors was held at Down Grange last night. It was organised to demonstrate the advantages of linking up with the club in terms of raising company profiles, while helping the club and local community at the same time.

Both the youth section and first team gave examples of training, before and after the club presentation.

The good news on the playing side is that the contract of player/coach Ian Calder has been extended for another year.

In his first season in charge, the Kiwi led the club to promotion back to the national league at the first attempt, coupled with another Hampshire Cup victory.

Last season, Basingstoke managed to maintain their league status and retain the county cup.