Former Millwall, Crystal Palace and Wimbledon midfielder’s company sponsor Bromley FC academy

Former Millwall, Crystal Palace and Wimbledon midfielder Andy Roberts’s family-run company has sponsored Bromley Football Club’s academy.

Roberts, 44, started his career with the Lions  and also ended his playing days there. He missed the 2004 FA Cup final against Manchester United due to injury.

He was at Wimbledon when his parents and brother Mike, released by the Lions after a two-year apprenticeship, set up Go Travel in 1999.

Roberts and his two brothers work together at Go Travel’s four shops.

He said: “My parents’ previous company Winstonlead Cables had sponsored the Kent League for over 16 years, so the background in football has always been there.

“Bromley is an up-and-coming football club, with the success they had last year.

“With the manager Neil Smith and his coaching staff making the club go full-time, the club is going in the right direction.

“I was speaking to Neil the other week about about how the academy has come on since he joined. A few years ago there were 40 kids, now they are looking at over 240. The club as a whole is continually growing.

“We thought it was a great opportunity to get back into football and sponsor the younger teams at the club.

“The academy is and will be a big part in the club’s future and how the club will hopefully progress to league football.

“Go Travel are proud to be the sponsors of the JPL academy teams at Bromley, starting at the under-12s and going through to the main academy that will hopefully feed the first team at some point.”

Bromley academy director Mark Hammond said: “It’s an exciting time for Bromley Football Club and our academy as it continues to grow.

“We’re delighted to have the support of such a prestigious local company such as Go Travel.

“Their support will allow us to continue to grow and develop our academy programme making sure we can offer the best possible footballing, sporting and educational pathways for our students.”