Glentoran and BetMcLean in Oval rename for record £250,000 sponsorship deal

The ground will now be called the BetMcLean Oval under the terms of the deal described by the Glens as worth £250,000 over the next five years with a five-year option.

“Hopefully this signals the start of a successful era for Glentoran FC, and I’m delighted to be playing my part as the club looks to the future,” said Paul McLean, managing director of BetMcLean, Northern Ireland’s largest independent bookmaking company.

The announcement at the Oval was made by McLean alongside Glentoran chairman Stephen Henderson, manager Mick McDermott, assistant boss Paul Millar and captain Marcus Kane.

It marks the extension of a role by BetMcLean as Glentoran’s chief sponsor dating back almost a decade. BetMcLean also sponsor the League Cup.

“The past few years has been a roller-coaster ride for Glentoran,” said McLean. “There have been many ups and downs but I believe this is the perfect time for me to cement our relationship with the club, especially with a new owner, and as it progresses into the professional era.

“Hopefully in the next year or so we will see the BetMcLean Oval fully modernised and upgraded and become a showpiece stadium and the home of a great club with such an amazing footballing history.

“We’re proud to invest in all types of local sport, and this arrangement strengthens our commitment to support football in Northern Ireland.”

Henderson said he was “delighted with the new agreement” and highlighted support from BetMcLean “during some difficult and challenging years for Glentoran”.

The club chairman continued: “Paul stood firmly by the club and saw us through some dark times as we rescued, stabilised and restructured the club to enable us in turn to attract the investment that has come from Ali Pour (the club’s owner).

“He and his firm continued to stand by the club as we entered a phase of building and transitioning to full-time football.

“Now they have, once again, very publicly, stood by the club by signing the most lucrative sponsorship agreement in our history, and quite possibly the biggest for a football club in Northern Ireland.

“By aligning their brand with Glentoran for the next five years, BetMcLean are sending a clear signal of their confidence in the direction which this club is travelling.

“All of us, from the board, the manager and the players, hope to repay that faith by working to achieve trophy success.

“The BetMcLean partnership will help us continue our attempts to recruit the best possible players across our men and women’s teams and bring them to the BetMcLean Oval.

“In particular I would like to pay tribute to Paul McLean who, time after time, has proven himself to be a true friend of Glentoran FC through not only his sponsorship but also his advice, business acumen and moral support, all freely given to help our club rise again and realise our potential.”

Glens boss McDermott added: “I am well aware of the support Paul McLean has provided over that period.

“The new era for Glentoran started over two years ago and BetMcLean has been with us since that journey began.

“We are now moving into exciting times with our Premiership squad and it is equally exciting to renew the strong association we have with BetMcLean, and Paul McLean is very eager to develop that partnership in the years ahead.”

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