Players from East London Rugby Club will be looking to exterminate opponents after teaming up with world famous The Who Shop, the premier retailer of Doctor Who products and merchandise for more than 40 years.

The rugby club in Memorial Park, West Ham, is delighted to welcome the shop in Barking Road, Upton Park, as a shirt sponsor for the 2024/2025 season.

The Who Shop was established in 1984 and has been based in Newham since 1991. It has been in its current home since 2009 where it welcomes visitors from all over the world. The shop is owned by Doctor Who fan Alexandra Looseley-Saul and her husband Kevan and has been featured on numerous television programmes and in news articles.

As well as selling merchandise from across the sci-fi show's 60-year history, visitors are greeted by a Dalek in store before being able to step through a screen-used TARDIS, the Doctor's ship for travelling in time and space, to come face to face with more than 120 different props, costumes and artefacts from the world of Doctor Who dating back to 1964.

Owner Alexandra said: “We are delighted to be teaming up with East London Rugby Club. We cannot wait to welcome the club’s players and supporters to the shop where we have a range of Doctor Who-related items and more. With the added attraction of a TV and film museum in store, we offer something for all ages.”

The shop is open from Monday to Saturday, 9.30am to 5.30pm, with the museum welcoming visitors on Thursday to Saturday from 11am to 3pm. Please book in advance. For all information visit www.thewhoshop.com.

East London’s Director of Rugby Eddie Gooby visited the store to meet Alexandra and shop worker Owen Luckhurst. Eddie said: “We are excited to be entering the Whoniverse and thank The Who Shop for their generous sponsorship. We are proud to be associated with a store that is popular with fans throughout the world and time and space!”

The Who Shop is sponsoring the number 15 match shirt this season, which is the number of regenerations of Doctor Who that has appeared on television.

Mr Gooby added: “To keep the club afloat we rely on the subscription fees our members pay to play the sport they love, a combination of fundraising activities, sponsorship and donations. We are indebted to dedicated sponsors like The Who Shop who make a huge difference in enabling us to offer grassroots community rugby.”

The sponsorship package will see The Who Shop logo on club training and leisure wear and on the club website and social media platforms.

East London Rugby Club has a range of donation or sponsorship options available. For details visit the information section at www.eastlondonrfc.com and download the sponsorship packages brochure from the documents folder.