Everton FC heed Portman Group recommendation

Published: 23 July, 2008

Premier League football club Everton have decided all junior replica shirts and training range will not carry the name or logo of the club's alcohol sponsor, Chang.

Removal of the Thai beer brand from the range follows a recommendation from the Portman Group, the club announced today (June 5).

Keith Wyness, Everton Chief Executive, said: "As a Premier League football club we are all too aware of our social responsibility, especially towards our younger supporters, and we are only too pleased to adopt this policy for the new season."

David Poley, Portman Group chief executive, said Everton were "leading the way" in becoming the first English club to remove alcohol sponsorship for its child range.

"No drinks company would deliberately set out to target children, it's an unwanted side-effect of sports sponsorship. Hopefully, fans will appreciate why the industry does not want children to be viewed as walking billboards for their drinks," Poley added.

Everton's official retail partner JJB said it fully supported the decision.

Mr. Thapana Sirivadhanabhakdi, President of Thai Beverage Public Company Limited, brewer of Chang Beer, commented: "We recognise that under age drinking is an issue in the UK and as a company we are firmly committed to taking an active and responsible role in society. Chang Beer is fully supportive of this initiative."

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