March 16 2006

Iain Dowie

Crystal Palace have been given a financial boost after signing a two-year sponsorship deal worth up to £1m with Dubai based logistics firm GAC.

The club will get a £500,000 war-chest if they win promotion back to the Premiership this season.

Boss Iain Dowie will use the funds to strengthen his squad while also planning to use the company's contacts to open up new player markets, particularly in Scandanavia.

He said: "The link between businesses and football is very important these days and the deal will help getting the club on track to where we want it to be.

"The chairman wants to take the club forward and leave it in the Premiership with a new ground and this is another step toward achieving that goal.

"It is fantastic news and will help us open up new player markets because GAC is a global brand.

"It will help us look in different areas and maybe we will be able to use their connections to scout other players including Sweden where

their sister company is based."