There will be a familiar name on the brand-new Charlton tunnel for our Boxing Day clash against Plymouth Argyle.
Axis Europe, who first sponsored the Addicks back in 1998, have returned to sponsoring the club following the takeover of Thomas Sandgaard.
The property maintenance and refurbishment company, run by lifelong Addick John Hayes, have sponsored the new tunnel, the home dugout and will see their branding on the club’s control tower.
Branding for the Axis Foundation, which supports small, local, impactful causes, will be on the away dugouts. The Foundation, set-up more than 10 years ago, includes Peter Varney as Chairman of the Trustees and Alan Curbishley as a patron.
Hayes, who is from Plumstead and first went to Charlton as a six-year-old, said: “It is fantastic, we’ve been here since the West Stand was built back in 1998. Apart from some barren years during the Duchatelet era, it has always been our tunnel. It is wonderful to be back. It feels like the club is heading in the right direction again.
“From when we got back to The Valley, it always felt like we, the fans, were all in it together. There was a great momentum and it just begins to feel to me that we are at the start of another era like that. It really is nice to be back and feel a part of something positive.”
Commercial Manager at Charlton Athletic, Ravi Patel, said: “We are delighted to welcome John and Axis Europe back into the Charlton family. It is a sign of the good feeling the Thomas Sandgaard era has generated, that we are being approached by companies that have chosen to move away from the club in recent years. John is a passionate fan and we’re very pleased the tunnel, tower and dugouts have a great new look.”
