One lucky PNE fan had a Christmas present money couldn’t buy on Tuesday 20th December – a festive lunch with the whole squad!
Charlie McElroy, 24, joined the entire first team, staff and manager Simon Grayson at Deepdale for the club’s annual Christmas party, all thanks to PNE’s lead sponsor 888sport.
The online bookie launched the amazing prize on social media as part of its Fans First sponsorship pledge.
Charlie, from Cawdor Street, Warrington, was the lucky winner from more than 500 fan entries and, as well as rubbing shoulders over turkey with his footballing heroes, took home a PNE shirt signed by the squad.
He said: ‘It’s been a great laugh meeting the players and seeing them get up for a Christmas singsong! The management staff and players have been incredibly welcoming and I can’t thank 888sport enough for giving me this amazing experience’.
Gaffer Grayson, who chatted to Charlie about the team’s impressive form so far this term, said more sponsors should involve fans with their clubs in such a unique way.
He said: “I think it’s brilliant for the winning fans to come along and see the players in a different light today. Everyone is out of their work mode and feeling a bit more relaxed and festive. Charlie was a deserved winner and credit to the sponsors 888sport for involving the fans with this fantastic prize.”
Olivia Hanvey, head of commercial for PNE, said: “This prize is another incredible way in which 888sport have really put the Fans First this season. Charlie and his friends have had an amazing time, which has only been made possible by our sponsor’s genuine desire to give back to the PNE fans for their loyal support.”
The competition is the latest #FansFirst initiative from 888sport since starting the PNE sponsorship at the beginning of the 2016/17 season. Other fan-friendly initiatives have included free midweek away coach travel as well as the recent changing 888sport’s branding at Deepdale following an overwhelming vote from PNE fans to remove all tangerine-coloured branding from the stadium.