ClearBank Co-Founder’s SPORTA Signs Stevenage FC as Flagship Partner for New Sports Banking Vision

Andrew Smith, a co-founder of ClearBank, has launched SPORTA, a new venture aiming to become the UK’s first fully authorised bank dedicated to the sports sector. By securing Stevenage FC as its flagship partner, SPORTA is positioning itself to address the specific financial and digital infrastructure needs of professional clubs, athletes, and fans.

What was announced

SPORTA has entered into a long-term strategic partnership with Stevenage FC, a move that includes the rebranding of the club’s home ground to the SPORTA Arena. The agreement, signed during the club’s 50th anniversary year, is designed to go beyond traditional naming rights. The two organisations will collaborate to develop and refine financial and digital infrastructure tailored for professional sporting bodies.

The initiative is built on the ambition to create a specialised banking institution for sport, responding to the influx of institutional and private capital into the industry. SPORTA intends to build a suite of services for clubs, athletes, and grassroots communities to navigate an increasingly complex and fragmented financial ecosystem. While the partnership marks a significant step in the company's development, SPORTA is not yet a bank, and no regulated banking products or services are being launched as part of this initial announcement. Instead, the collaboration with Stevenage FC will serve as a testing ground to understand the operational requirements of a modern football organisation, including its community and digital priorities.

"Stevenage FC is exactly the kind of Club that shows why SPORTA exists. It is ambitious, innovative, community-led and built around people who care deeply about the Club and the town it represents. This is a long-term partnership about working with Stevenage FC to understand the financial and operational needs of a modern football Club operating in an evolving and often fragmented ecosystem."

Andrew Smith, CEO and Founder of SPORTA.

The companies involved

SPORTA is a newly founded financial technology firm focused on the sports industry. It is led by Andrew Smith, who previously co-founded ClearBank, and Vicky Gosling OBE. The company aims to bridge the gap between professional sports management and specialised financial services, providing the digital guardrails necessary for modern sporting organisations to scale.

ClearBank, where Smith established his reputation in the fintech sector, is a prominent UK clearing bank. Known for providing core banking technology and payment infrastructure, ClearBank has become a critical player in the financial ecosystem, recently reaching £18bn in deposits held. Its model of providing neutral, technology-led clearing services has set a precedent for the kind of infrastructure-heavy approach Smith is now applying to the sports niche.

Stevenage FC is a professional football club based in Hertfordshire, England. Currently celebrating its 50th anniversary, the club has gained a reputation for innovation and community engagement. Under the leadership of Chairman Phil Wallace, the club has sought strategic partnerships that provide value beyond simple sponsorship, focusing on long-term resilience and digital growth.

What FF News has reported before

FF News has closely followed the growth of the infrastructure-led banking sector, particularly through the lens of ClearBank’s expansion. We recently reported on how Bloomsbury Money Integrates ClearBank to Enhance Global Payment Infrastructure, highlighting the bank's role in supporting international payment flows. The firm’s internal growth has also been a point of focus, notably when ClearBank Moves Into New London HQ as It Reaches £18bn in Deposits Held. Furthermore, the bank has continued to bolster its leadership to drive technical excellence, as seen when ClearBank Appoints Neil Drennan as Chief Technology Officer to Support Innovation and Expansion Initiatives. The broader fintech ecosystem in the capital also remains a priority, evidenced by our coverage of The World’s First Fintech Board Programme Launches in London Further Strengthening its Position as Global Fintech Hub.

What this means

This move signals a shift from generalist fintech to hyper-vertical banking. By targeting sport, SPORTA is moving into a sector that is cash-rich but often underserved by traditional retail and commercial banks that lack the appetite for the industry’s unique risk profiles and seasonal cash flows. The involvement of a ClearBank co-founder gives this project immediate credibility in terms of back-end infrastructure capability. However, the path to a full banking licence is arduous. The industry should watch whether SPORTA can successfully translate this "lab" partnership with Stevenage into a scalable platform that attracts larger Premier League or European clubs, who are currently under pressure to modernise their digital and financial reporting for regulatory compliance.