Southampton FC training gatecrashed as fans are rewarded with £1,000 in 'parachute payments'
Midnite, the Official Training Kit Partner of Southampton Football Club, has today given a whole new meaning to the term ‘Parachute Payments’.
Five lucky Southampton fans thought they were being treated to exclusive access to watch their side train ahead of the new campaign. Little did they know, they would also be receiving £1,000, as a thank you from Southampton F.C and their new sponsors, Midnite, for their dedication and support over the years.
The prize was delivered to them in style, as a team of expert skydivers parachuted out of a plane, landing at Southampton’s Staplewood training facility. Met by new Saints boss, Will Still, these five fans were then gifted their ‘Parachute Payment’, with many being lost for words.
On the event, Still explained: “The fans are what makes this club so special, and to be able to give something back for their amazing dedication over the years is always nice.
“They spend their hard-earned money to support the club, and we’ll do everything we can this season to bring them happiness and pride. It’s not every day that you get £1,000 delivered by a skydiver, so I’m sure they’ll remember this moment for a long time.”
Competition winner Julie Barrett, 64, from Eastleigh, who works in a home for people with dementia, has been a Southampton fan for over 50 years.
She said: "I suppose I'll spend the money on football. Where I want to go this year is Wrexham away. Maybe I could stay and make a week of it!"
Andrew Mook, Midnite’s Head of Brand Marketing, commented: “We wanted to give some real meaning to the term ‘Parachute Payments’, and what better way than parachuting down cash to deserving fans.
“We’re extremely excited about our partnership with Southampton, and we want the club and its supporters to see Midnite as a partner who has their best interests at heart. Throughout the season we’ll be running a whole host of initiatives all designed to bring fans closer to the sport and club they love, and it has been brilliant to see the reaction of the supporters here today receiving their much deserved rewards.”
Moving forward, Midnite is set to announce a series of fan initiatives as part of their partnership with Southampton, as they commit to their promise of bringing sports fans closer to the sports they love.