Telecommunications firm show their support
Pompey have rung the changes in a deal with a mobile phone provider that will see tens of thousands of pounds poured into the club.
Whiteley-based telecommunications firm OneCom has signed up for partner status which will see £30,000 invested in Pompey.
OneCom will also be offering Blues fans a free telecoms audit to help them save money.
For every one that goes on to take services from OneCom, the firm will donate money to the Supporters Trust in a move which could take OneCom’s overall investment in Pompey up to £100,000.
The deal was signed by OneCom’s chief executive, Darren Ridge, and Pompey’s chief executive officer Mark Catlin at Fratton Park in time for the first game of the season this afternoon.
Mr Ridge said: “I’m a Pompey fan and I’m delighted to be able to support the club in this way. At OneCom we’re keen to find ways to give back to the community and this was too good an opportunity to miss.
“I’m pleased that we have tied up this deal in time for the first game of the season and I’m looking forward to continuing to support the club in what we hope will be a fantastic first year as a fan-owned club.”
OneCom is the largest independent provider of mobile voice and data, fixed line, IT and unified communications solutions in the UK and employs more than 300 staff.
OneCom was formed when Premier Telecom and Business Phones Direct joined forces to become one company earlier this year.
As well as its base at Whiteley, OneCom has offices in Camberley, Leeds, Hereford, Birmingham, Southampton, Bristol and Plymouth, and manages more than 150,000 connections.
Micah Hall, engagement manager at Pompey, said: “We are delighted and proud to have OneCom as a sponsor for Portsmouth Football Club.
“We think they have been very generous in their sponsorship. Fans will benefit from talking to OneCom about their services and the club will benefit too.
“It all fits in to our ethos of being a local community club – they are a local partner with deep roots in the community.”