Zen Internet announced as a new sponsor of Rochdale AFC

Brian Barry-Murphy, Rochdale AFC Manager (left) with Richard Tang, Zen Founder and Chairman

Zen Internet has agreed a sponsorship deal with Rochdale Football Club that will see Zen featured on the RAFC kit including shorts and sleeves, as well as the Sandy Lane stand.

The sponsorship deal is seen as a major achievement for the club during extremely difficult times, with fans currently not allowed inside stadiums.

Zen is a Rochdale based company that has grown to become the largest independently owned and longest running telecommunications and technology provider in the UK. On 13 October 2020 it celebrated 25 years of business, believed to be the oldest provider which still exists in its original form.

Read more: Zen celebrates 25 years of businessPublished: 20 October 2020

Founding owner and chairman of Zen Internet, Richard Tang, said: “We are extremely proud to be able to support Rochdale AFC particularly during such challenging times. Our company head office is based in Rochdale and we recognise the importance the football club plays within the town and the community. We wanted to reach out and help, and we hope this partnership can bolster the success of the team, the club and the town.”

David Bottomley, Chief Executive at Rochdale AFC, said: “The Zen sponsorship is a massive signing for us and sends out a strong message to our supporters and the business community of Rochdale that this football club has survived 113 years and is here to stay.

"We are delighted to be working in partnership with one of the biggest business success stories in the history of the town and a business rapidly becoming a major name across the UK.

“During these difficult times, we now need the people of Rochdale to get behind us now more than ever. One way to do that is if you currently have broadband in your home or business, you can switch to Zen. Every customer who switches will be supporting the club financially and backing a local business and giving a boost to the local economy.”

Manager Brian Barry Murphy also said: “We are extremely proud to have the backing of such a powerful sponsor and on behalf of myself, the players and everybody at the club, I would like to thank Richard and Zen for this fantastic sponsorship opportunity.”

For more information visit: ​​​​​​

• www.zen.co.uk/rochdaleafc