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Cohen and Hodgson sign Greene King IPA competition winner's shirt

Sharks Ben Cohen and Charlie Hodgson raise their glasses to fans with Greene King IPA

Tuesday, November 24th 2009

Last Thursday evening fans joined Ben Cohen and Charlie Hodgson for a pint of Greene King IPA , Sale Sharks' official beer sponsor, at one of the team’s local pub, The Governors House in Cheadle Hulme.

The lucky Sharks fans won their invitation to the pub through a Greene King IPA competition in the Manchester Evening News. The official beer of Sale Sharks gave winning fans the opportunity to put their burning Sharks questions to the Sale duo, as well as get the players thoughts on England’s current performance in this autumn’s Investec Challenge Series. Following the hour long question and answer session Ben and Charlie met fans individually for photos and to sign autographs.

Greene King IPA has enjoyed an excellent relationship with Sale Sharks since coming on as the club’s official beer last season, recently opening the ‘Shark Tank’ – a match day pub at Edgeley Park serving Greene King IPA to fans before games.

Ben Cohen, Sale Shark Winger said “We’re very lucky to have some of the best supporters in the premiership and it was great to get the opportunity to meet some of them tonight. This evening has given us all the chance to give something back to the fans that have established themselves as our 16th man over recent seasons, as well enjoy a pint of Greene King IPA with them, something we don’t often get the chance to do!”

Keith Ironside, Marketing Manager for Greene King IPA said, “It’s not every day you find a couple of premiership and international rugby players in your local pub. As official beer of Sale Sharks it’s great that Greene King IPA has been able to bring Ben Cohen and Charlie Hodgson down to the Governors House tonight to meet and chat with fans away from the pitch ahead of both the England and Sale match this weekend.”

Fans raised their pint glasses to the evening too. Sale Sharks season ticket holder, Michael Earley said, “As a lifelong Sale Sharks fans it was great to meet Ben and Charlie. I actually played for the Sale 1st xv when I was younger so have some understanding of the pressures these players are under. For them to give up their time to come and meet fans for a beer and a chat was a great privilege.”

Fans that didn’t get the opportunity to attend can view video footage from the night and stand the chance to win more Sale Sharks prizes at www.greenekingipa.co.uk .