Fleet unveil lucrative three-year sponsorship deal with Eurostar

Eurostar, the high-speed passenger train operator that links the UK with France and Belgium, today announced a three-year sponsorship deal with the directors of Ebbsfleet United, the Kent club formerly known as Gravesend & Northfleet.

The sponsorship agreement, one of the largest in non-league football, will see Eurostar partnering with The Fleet, to put Ebbsfleet International station and the growing Ebbsfleet community on the national map.

As part of the deal, Eurostar will also help the club with its new educational initiative Playing for Success.

Eurostar’s new Ebbsfleet International station is strategically located just off Junction 2 of the M25, close to the Bluewater shopping complex and the Blue Square Premier club in north Kent.

When it opens on Monday, 19^th November, the station will be the fastest way to Europe with journey times of just 2h:05m to Paris, 1h:41 to Brussels and 1h:10 to Lille.

Ebbsfleet International lies at the heart of a catchment of more than 10m people across southern England and is closer to the M25 than any South East airport, including Stansted, Gatwick, Luton and Heathrow.

It will enable millions of travellers to switch from plane to train and will also offer an attractive new alternative to Waterloo International for people living south of London.

Ebbsfleet United has a strong following among the local community and has enjoyed an impressive rise over the last four seasons; gaining promotion from the Ryman League to the Nationwide Conference.

The team finished seventh in the table this year and aims to make even greater progress next season, in what is now called the Blue Square Premier.

As lead sponsors of Ebbsfleet United, Eurostar’s logo will be included in kit branding, all marketing and promotional literature, advertising boards and announcements at the club’s Stonebridge Road stadium, as well as match tickets and corporate hospitality packages.

Supporters of The Fleet will benefit directly from Eurostar’s sponsorship, with free travel tickets from Ebbsfleet International to Lille, Brussels or Paris to be offered in competitions that will run throughout next season.

Simon Montague, Communications Director of Eurostar, said: “As new neighbours in north Kent, Eurostar wants to play a full part in the local community, providing both job opportunities and making a wider contribution.

“Supporting Ebbsfleet United FC is an excellent way for us to support local people and the local team, and to maximise our involvement in what will be an exciting new era for everyone in the Ebbsfleet area.

“We are delighted that Ebbsfleet United has recently been awarded the FA Community Club Charter Standard for developing it’s youth and ladies sections and is presently working to provide educational facilities for underprivileged children.”

Jason Botley, the club’s chairman, added: “This is great news for a club like Ebbsfleet United. To be working in partnership with one of the strongest brands in the UK and Europe is a privilege for us and really endorses the ambitions my fellow directors and I have for this club.

“Ebbsfleet is a key regeneration area and as more homes and businesses are built here, The Fleet will attract more and more participants in the club as well as new fans.

“Eurostar’s sponsorship for the next three years gives us a sold base on which to build towards bigger and better goals.”

Visit Ebbsfleet United's website:  www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk