Fleet flying high as they unveil new sponsor

Friday 25th August 2006

Austrian Airlines have flown in to become this season's new main sponsor for Gravesend & Northfleet Football Club.

The Austrian logo will be appearing on the front of the Fleet's new home and away shirts as a result of a five figure agreement completed this week.

Austrian Airlines succeeds Gladwish Land Sales which withdrew from football sponsorship last season.

Gudrun Sullivan, Austrian Airline's Deputy General Manager for the UK & Ireland has identified a number of potential benefits from the relationship.

She told www.gnfc.co.uk: "Austria will be hosting the 2008 UEFA Championship Finals with Switzerland and by making this our first football sponsorship we hope to raise awareness of Austrian Airlines so that thousands of fans choose to fly with us to our beautiful capital of Vienna."

"Teams in the Nationwide Conference now receive good coverage across this country, and this opportunity will expand awareness of Austrian nationwide.

“Austria is situated in virtually the heart of Europe, and while we are a small country in terms of population our long haul network extends as far as India, China, Japan, Thailand and Australia. We are also the number one Western carrier to Eastern & Central Europe."

"Just like the Fleet, we have to compete with the big boys, so this partnership is a natural fit for us both."

Fleet Chairman Jason Botley is delighted to have Austrian Airlines on board.

He added: "There can't have been many Conference clubs who have had an international airline as a major sponsor!

“When Victor Gladwish decided to withdraw from football sponsorship we looked at a number of potential new sponsors, but we decided to wait until the right partner came along."

"In Austrian Airlines we feel we have linked up with a progressive international company that reflects the same values that we hold dear at Stonebridge Road.

”We are sure this agreement will bring benefits to the club and its supporters, as well as Austrian Airlines, and that this is the start of a long and successful relationship."

FLYING HIGH: Nationwide Conference club Gravesend & Northfleet have today unveiled a new sponsorship deal with Austrian Airlines.
Pics: www.gnfc.co.uk

On the pitch, the Fleet travel to Forest Green Rovers (Saturday) before welcoming Altrincham to Stonebridge Road on Bank Holiday Monday.

Onome Sodje has returned to Stonebridge Road after a loan period from Charlton last season.

Nigerian-born Sodje, 18, first signed for the Fleet in September 2005, and now rejoins the club after leaving Charlton Athletic where he scored 14 goals in 19 games in the 2003-04 U17 FA Premier Academy League.

Boss Liam Daish has also signed 20 year old former Colchester United and Torquay United midfielder Liam Coleman. In March 2006 Coleman spent one month on loan from Torquay at Forest Green Rovers.

"It's good to get Onome back into the club" Daish told www.gnfc.co.uk. "He is very pacey and will present more competition for places amongst the forwards. Liam will give us more depth in midfield, and after losing players through injury and suspension in the opening games of the season it helps us to have young players with experience to bring into the squad."

Visit Gravesend & Northfleet's official website: www.gnfc.co.uk