Shamrock Park, home to Portadown Football Club, is getting a new name after a lucrative agreement with British Supplements

The club, which has been part of the fabric of Portadown life since 1887, is based in the stadium at Brownstown Road has signed a major sponsorship agreement with British Supplements, a home-grown firm.

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In a statement this afternoon, a club spokesperson said: “Portadown Football Club is delighted to announce British Supplements as the club’s new official stadium naming rights partner, in a significant sponsorship agreement.

"As part of this exciting new partnership, the club’s home ground, Shamrock Park, will officially become known as British Supplements Shamrock Park.

"The agreement marks an important milestone for the club and represents a substantial commitment to Portadown Football Club from a successful local business with strong roots in the town.

"Importantly, while the stadium will carry the British Supplements name, its identity and heritage will remain firmly intact. As Shamrock Park celebrates its 120th anniversary this year, the club is proud of its history and traditions, and this partnership will ensure that the name Shamrock Park continues to remain at the heart of our home ground for generations to come.”

The club explained: “British Supplements is a UK-based health and wellness company specialising in high-quality, clean and natural products.

"Owned by former Portadown player and lifelong Ports supporter Chris Boyle, the business has grown from its beginnings in Thomas Street in Portadown to a purpose-built manufacturing facility in Gilford, competing successfully in the UK, European and US markets.”

Speaking about the partnership, Chris Boyle said: "To be honest with you, it's a dream come true. I'm a local Killicomaine lad, born and bred in Portadown, a lifelong fan and former player, so to be able to do something like this for my hometown club is incredibly special.

"My earliest memories of supporting the Ports were watching Ronnie McFall's team winning the double in 1991 with players like Mickey Keenan, Brian Strain, Joey Cunningham along with Cowan and Fraser up front, and Ian Curliss, who was a great player but unfortunately suffered a serious injury.

"We also had a great assistant manager in Bob Nesbitt. Looking back, it really shows the importance of teamwork and everyone playing their part,” he said.

"I've always wanted to help my own hometown club. My mum Sandra and dad Sam still go to the games, as does my brother Wesley, who wasn't a bad player for the club himself!”

Chris added: “British Supplements is a local business which started out on Thomas Street and has since grown into a company competing on a national and international level.

"We now have a purpose-built factory in Gilford and pride ourselves on the quality of our products. No fillers, no binders and no additives. We compete with some of the biggest names in the industry, including Holland & Barrett, and do so very well.

"I have a fantastic team around me, led by Iysha Rahman and Ronnie, and their contribution has been hugely important to our success,” he said.

"For me, this is all about giving something back to my hometown club and doing whatever I can to help it move forward. It’s not about what I get in return, it’s about supporting a club that has been part of my life for as long as I can remember.

"Portadown is my home, it's the club I grew up supporting and playing for, it means an awful lot to me.

"Ultimately, it's a dream come true. Hopefully, we can build on this partnership in the years ahead and help the club get competing for the league again and, importantly, back into European football. That's what really matters to me."

Chairman of Portadown FC, David Jameson added: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome British Supplements as our Official Stadium Naming Rights Partner.

"What makes this partnership particularly special is that Chris Boyle is a Portadown man and lifelong supporter of the club. To see one of our own achieve such success in business and then make this significant commitment to his hometown club is something we are extremely proud of.

"This four-year partnership is a major boost for Portadown FC and will help provide greater financial stability as we continue to develop the club both on and off the pitch,” said Mr Jameson.

“I would also like to give special recognition to fellow Director David Jameson Jr and Club Secretary Kathryn Argue for their hard work and dedication in securing this agreement. Both have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to bring this fantastic partnership to fruition.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors and everyone associated with Portadown FC, I sincerely thank Chris and British Supplements for their support. We look forward to a long and successful relationship and an exciting future at British Supplements Shamrock Park.”

Portadown FC is a family orientated football club based in the heart of the community in Portadown. With a rich history reaching back to 1887, the club has been at the centre of Portadown life for over 130 years.

In 1887 the Mid-Ulster Football Association was established and in Portadown a group of young men set about forming a football club with the aim of taking part in the Mid-Ulster Cup. The first meeting took place in the Duke of Manchester’s school on Church Street. The club were formally named Portadown Athletic and early meetings of the committee were held in a dimly lit room at the Young Men’s Institute in Edward Street.

The club boasts both Mens and Ladies teams including the highly respected Portadown Youth academy set up from Under 7’s right up to senior level.