Matthew Clark County League: Horsham YMCA have found their own Roman Abramovich to bankroll the club's immediate future.

The division one outfit have linked up with a multi-millionaire Chelsea fan for a sponsorship deal which could be worth £96,000 to the club.

The Gorings Mead-based club have tied up a five-year deal with Gladwish Land Sales Ltd, with an option of a further three years.

Company owner Victor Gladwish, who lives in Pease Pottage, said: "Football has been a passion of mine all my life.

"When I spoke to the YMCA manager John Suter I think he thought the Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich was calling him.

"I told him 'I am a multi-millionaire and I want to help your club'."

Gladwish, 59, who has made his millions in land sales, added: "I have sponsored non-league football for about six years.

"We backed Canterbury City where my brother was involved until they folded and have been sponsoring Herne Bay (Kent League) for the last four.

"I have been working seven days a week, 17 hours a day for 14 years. I have had no time for anything else other than being an armchair supporter.

"Three months ago I handed over the management of my company to staff so I can now settle back and get involved with local football. I will be going to watch some Horsham YMCA home games.

"Ultimately I want to own my own club. I want to do something in my sixties for a giggle."

Gladwish has already ploughed £200,000 into the coffers of Dr Martens League premier division side Crawley Town with a similar five-year deal.

He said: "I have heard it said that this is the biggest sponsorship deal ever signed by a Sussex County League side."

YM reacted quickly to clinch the deal, especially as Ryman League Horsham seemed the more obvious choice for sponsorship.

Chairman Mick Browning said: "I was shown an article in a Crawley paper in which Victor said 'Horsham don't seem to be interested in sponsorship' or words to that affect.

"I have always sent out letters to companies and I rushed home and quickly put one through his door. I spent two hours with him and here we are with a wonderful sponsorship."

Gladwish said: "Horsham did contact me and were to meet me within the week but YMCA asked if they could meet me that day. I had to tell Horsham they were simply beaten to it by YMCA."

YMCA manager John Suter, who has been with the club 15 years, said: "It is a fantastic sponsorship but the money has to be managed correctly.

"Victor is an incredible man and what he is doing for YMCA and Crawley is nothing short of incredible.

"It has been very exciting being involved with this over the past few days as it has gained momentum. It has happened ever so quickly which is how Victor wanted it to happen."

Browning and Suter are unlikely to go on a massive transfer spree or up players' wages at a club synonymous with conservative management.

Suter said: "We want to do the right thing with the money. We want it to benefit the whole club."

Browning added: "We are an ambitious club and want to climb the football ladder. We would like to thank Gladwish Land Sales."