BARCLAYS LAUNCH SEARCH FOR ‘THE FAN OF INDIA’

Barclays, offers a trip for two to England to see Premier League team of choice for India’s top football fan

Mumbai, May 11, 2009: Barclays today launches its search for the Fan of India as it seeks to find the most passionate supporter of the Barclays Premier League in the country.

From Kerala to Kolkata, Mumbai to Mohali and Goa to Guwahati, India has some of the most fervent fans of Barclays Premier League football in the world. The Barclays Premier League is the most popular domestic football tournament anywhere in the world, with over 4.77 billion people watching it in over 200 countries. It also has many of the top players including World Player of the Year, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Barclays want to find fans that go to extraordinary lengths to support their favourite Barclays Premier League team or player. Do they practice the Cristiano Ronaldo step-over, create their own club anthem, or maybe perform wild somersaults like Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins?

Fans are required to explain in no more than 100 words why they are the Barclays Fan of India and can include slogans, videos or photographs to support their entry. Entries can be submitted by post, by drop box in selected Malls and Café Coffee locations, e-mail, or uploaded online by visiting www.barclaysfanofindia.com;

All entrants in the Barclays Fans of India competition have the opportunity to win:
· A trip for two to watch their favourite Barclays Premier League team play ‘live’ in England during the 2009/10 season. This will include flights, 4 star hotel accommodation, tickets and transfers.
· 10 runners up will also receive a Barclays Premier League team shirt of their choice

Manchester United’s legendary midfielder Bryan Robson, a judge and ambassador for the Fan of India Contest, said: "I know that representatives from Manchester United have visited India several times in the not too distant past and are always amazed at the level of interest there is in the Barclays Premier League. It really is a hotbed of football. I think the speed and intensity of the league appeals to the Indian population, and I am looking forward to seeing how this is reflected in the entries for the Barclays Fan of India competition."

Liverpool’s Spanish goalkeeper Pepe Reina said: “Barclays Premier League supporters are the best in the world and will go to great lengths to follow their favourite team. Liverpool have a
huge following on the sub-continent so I'm hoping the Barclays Fan of India will be a Reds supporter and get the chance to come over to England and see me in action!"

The competition will run from May 12, 2009 through to June 2, 2009 with the winner of Barclays Fan of India announced in mid June, 2009.

Fans can log on to http://barclaysfanofindia.com for more information on how to enter.



For further information please contact the Barclays Premier League Press Office:
Chris Soult: Tel: +44 (0)207 908 6475/+44 (0)774 5377 405

Adfactors PR:
Jitendra S Jha: +91 9920829216; jitendra.jha @ adfactorspr.com
Arnold Wilson: +91 9769369420; Arnold.wilson @ adfactorspr.com




Notes to Editors

Barclays Premier League
The Barclays Premier League is broadcast to 611 million homes in 211 countries worldwide, reaching a cumulative global audience of 4.77 billion. The Barclays Group is now in its eighth season of sponsorship with the Barclays Premier League, and the current term runs until May 2010.

For more information, visit: www.barclayspremierleague.com;

Barclays – Key Statistics
Barclays is a major global financial services provider engaged in retail and commercial banking, credit cards, investment banking, wealth management and investment management services, with an extensive international presence in Europe, the USA, Africa and Asia. With over 300 years of history and expertise in banking, Barclays operates in over 50 countries and employs over 150,000 people. Barclays moves, lends, invests and protects money for over 42 million customers and clients worldwide.




To get more information, click on the following links.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/15225850/BFOI-Final-8-May-2009Press-Release

http://www.scribd.com/doc/15226166/RobsonRedknapp

http://www.scribd.com/share/upload/11717743/48vgojufwjvp67i0vyj


To get pictures, click on the following.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/38274723@N02/?saved=1