THE national oil company of Vietnam is about to increase the cashflow at a Borders football club by pumping in some sponsorship funding.

Petro Vietnam Drilling (PVD) is one of the largest oil companies in the whole of South East Asia.

And last week it was announced that it has become the latest sponsor of Gala Fairydean Rovers.

Advertising boards have already been created and next month two executives from the Vietnamese company will be special guests at the club’s Lowland League fixture with Edinburgh University.

The undisclosed financial deal was reached as part of PVD’s move to supply manpower services for the oil industry in Europe following successful operations around Asia.

GFR committee member Craig Douglas, who conducts crane training for the Vietnamese company, told us: “Vietnam is very much like Scotland in that we are both football daft and a large part of our economy is driven by oil.

“PVD are looking to branch into European markets, particularly the North Sea, over the coming years so it was the perfect opportunity for both the company and Gala Fairydean Rovers to come to a sponsorship arrangement.

“This is a very attractive sponsorship deal and one that helps with the ambition being shown at Netherdale.”

While the sponsorship agreement will raise the profile of PVD Manpower Services in Scotland, Gala Fairydean Rovers chairman Ryan Cass hopes it will also lead to a new wave of support for his club in the likes of Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.

He said: “Everyone at Gala Fairydean Rovers is delighted to have PVD Training on board.

“Their valued support will help us continue to grow as a football club and try to maintain our status in a highly competitive Lowland League next season.

"Craig had done a fantastic job for us to become involved with a huge overseas business which will hopefully put the club on the map over in South East Asia.

“English clubs are well supported in Asia, it would be great if some of those fans took an interest in us as well.”

PVD executives will fly in to Scotland for Gala’s Lowland League game with Edinburgh University on Saturday, April 18.

Mr Cass added: “We look forward to welcoming Mr Khang and Mr Taylor Van from PVD."