THE managing director of a diesel company is backing Salisbury Football Club in a sponsorship deal worth thousands of pounds.

Ben Cross was a fan of the old club and is getting behind the newly-formed Whites with his firm PB Asher Ltd.

The fuel injection specialist is ploughing in more than £5,000 to sponsor the terracing stand behind the goal where the Whites’ faithful go.

The club unveiled The PB Asher Stand during Salisbury’s pre-season 2-1 friendly win over Barclay’s Premier League new arrivals AFC Bournemouth last Tuesday night.

Speaking about the deal, Ben said: “What the guys at Salisbury FC are trying to achieve is admirable and we as a business just want to be part of this new journey taking the club back to where it deserves to be – knocking on the door of the Football League.”

PB Asher is a family-run business, in its third generation, and supplies overhaul and repair of different types of diesel injection equipment used on cars and commercial ships.

It is based in Southampton after first opening some 65 years ago in the centre of Salisbury.

“The company founder Mr Philip Asher started repairing diesel injectors and pumps back in 1948 and his very first premises was located in the heart of the city, since then the business moved to Southampton but has always kept an important customer base where it all started,” added Ben.

“As a company, we feel it is important to keep in touch with our history and what better way to do this than partner up with the local football club.”

A delighted Dave Phillips, chairman of the club, said: “PB Asher is someone wanting to get back into Salisbury, where his grandfather’s roots were, which is why he wanted to come and sponsor us. It’s very, very noble of him.”

Salisbury FC start their Wessex Premier journey a week Saturday at Brockenhurst (3pm).