Fan joins the Blues on season-long deal as part of competition
Lifelong fan Rob Phillips is to be unveiled as a Pompey player at an official press conference today (February 14), shortly after signing a season-long contract at the club.
He will join the club following the transfer window as the winner of Papa John’s Sign For Your Club competition, offering him the FANtastic opportunity to realise a childhood dream and become an official Blues squad member.
Papa John’s is the official pizza partner of the Football League and created a competition, in partnership with Sky Bet, which would make the transfer window a winner for football fans up and down the country.
The creation of Sign For Your Club has transformed Phillips’ dream into a reality. He said: “It’s amazing to have signed for the club that I have supported since I was a boy. The lads have treated me well and it’s an honour that I’m now an official member of the squad.
“I chose squad number 44 as it was my 44th birthday on Saturday – I couldn’t have wished for a better birthday present!”
As a member of the Pompey squad, Phillips will also take part in a training session with the players and his name will appear on all official squad lists, including in the matchday programme.
Additionally, Sign For Your Club provides him with a number of fantastic prizes, including: a signed shirt, free tickets to every home game for the remainder of the season, a stadium tour and a full replica kit complete with his name and number, as well as free pizza for a year.
Andrew Gallagher, marketing director for Papa John’s, said: “Sign For Your Club offered fans a once in a lifetime chance to become an official squad member of the professional football club that they support.
“I am so pleased for Rob to become an official Pompey player – for him, the dream has just begun!”
As part of the deal to sign Phillips, Papa John’s has also donated £20,000 to Pompey.
Blues chief executive Mark Catlin said: “We are delighted to welcome Rob to our squad – I hope he enjoys every minute!
“On behalf of the club, I would also like to thank Papa John’s for the generous £20,000. It was a fantastic competition and everyone connected with Pompey understands the importance of fan engagement and working with sponsors to keep this great club running.
“Hopefully this boost will help us climb the table as we enter the final stages of the season.”
Click here for further information about Papa John’s.