JobServe confirmed as new stadium sponsor for Colchester United

The world's first online recruitment website was founded by U's chairman Robbie Cowling and John Witney in 1994 and has previously served as another of the club's main sponsors.

The deal will see the company cover the cost of the U's rent to Colchester Council which will now be based on a percentage of gate receipts.

Speaking for JobServe, Mr Cowling said: "I am really delighted to have JobServe sponsoring the community stadium. 

"JobServe have been involved in sponsoring Colchester United for even longer than I have been the owner of the club, but we recognise that the stadium is much more than just a venue for football matches and we want to be involved in all aspects of what the stadium can offer.”

Speaking as U's chairman, Mr Cowling said: "The new sponsorship deal is a great new deal for Colchester United, especially now the club’s rent payments have changed to being a percentage of the gate receipts.

"JobServe have agreed to pay sponsorship that will be equal to the club’s new rent meaning that the club can effectively enjoy their wonderful stadium rent free.

"The more fans that attend the more the rent will cost and the more JobServe will pay."

He added: ""The sponsorship value for the coming season is going to be twice what we received from the previous agreement. 

"That is not knocking the previous sponsorship, because it was a great deal which the club will always be grateful to Weston Homes for. However, the new agreement is just significantly better."

The stadium had been sponsored by Weston Homes since the U's moved from Layer Road a decade ago.

Mr Cowling announced the decision not to renew the deal during a meeting for season ticket holders in March, seemingly without agreeing on an announcement plan.

Bosses at Weston Homes said they were “bitterly disappointed” at the situation and are at a loss as to why the club has walked away from the agreement which has seen the U’s pick up £1.5 million.