Skye Cloud are changing the game for website traffic and security

West Ham & Skye Cloud

As London’s fastest-growing cloud services provider, Skye Cloud ensure businesses receive an agile IT platform that is easy to manage and budget for.

With head offices situated in London and Kent, Skye Cloud has seen an average growth rate of 40% year-on-year since its establishment in 2012.

In the cloud computing sector, the service offerings of Skye Cloud, the specific terminology and concept used can be somewhat tricky to understand unless you are involved in the industry. However, the general person is highly likely to use a variety of cloud-based applications during day-to-day activities unknowingly.

Cloud computing involves delivering a variety of IT services over the internet, ranging from networking, computer and storage resources to software and application. Therefore, when an individual streams their favourite tv shows on Netflix, opens an app on their phone, or shares files over the internet, they are directly interacting with cloud services.

Through its services, Skye Cloud provides companies with access to the core infrastructure, features, functionality and files of a cloud network, without having to purchase, store or maintain the system on their own devices or premises.

The benefits for organisations to jump on board with Skye Cloud include:

  • Centralised storage location – Cloud storage is instrumental for organisations whose staff require access to the same information and data to do their work. Enabling new means of collaboration and efficiency amongst colleagues. Users can rent cloud storage at a low price rather than using expensive external hard drives.
  • Cloud backup resiliency – The reliability inherent with cloud backup solutions comes from holding multiple copies of files and storing data in alternative locations. This layer of resiliency ensures that data will not be misplaced in the event of an unexpected outage or at a provider’s data centre.
  • Disaster recovery solutions – The cloud provides a fast, cost-effective disaster recovery solution, to protect a company’s data in the case of an unplanned catastrophic event.
  • Cost saving – Companies can save as much as 40% annually by migrating virtualised workload instances in the cloud, as costs are directly in line with usage.
  • Consistent updates – The software is continuously being improved and evolving to increase things like speed, capability, security, efficiency, and reliability.
  • Business continuity and business intelligence – an organisation can rely on the cloud to keep its data and applications active even if a disaster physically impacts the business.
  • Improved collaboration – Cloud collaboration tools offer benefits to employees, such as file versioning or real-time editing at any time. They can access data, applications, and services remotely from any device.
  • Increased capability – The cloud can increase or decrease, depending on what the business needs.
  • Performance and speed – Organisations can access high-performance hardware and software to improve their operations.
  • Data security – All clouds offer some degree of encryption, deterrent, and compliance, but private clouds remain the most secure from outsiders.

As a relatively recent collaboration, Skye Cloud has been West Ham United Football Club’s Official Virtual Private Server Network partner since 2020. This partnership has been extraordinarily valuable for the football club, with the organisation having a large following base demanding always-on access to live content, online merchandise and ticketing 24/7.

The Club’s fanbase banks on the website providing live updates and club news throughout the year. During a regular season, West Ham brings in an average of 58,000 home fans, with every match demanding a 10x spike in website visitor traffic, meaning the website needs to be able to perform as efficiently and effectively as possible.

Skye Cloud has enhanced the way the Club’s website operates, covering everything from organisational cyber security to software updates. Ensuring no lapses in website performance, Skye Cloud has partnered with Cloudflare, providing a secure and highly responsive match-day website experience.

As a result of the collaboration between Skye Cloud, Cloudflare and West Ham United, not only has the partnership eliminated lost merchandise and ticket revenue due to site outages and poor load times, but it has also significantly cut cloud hosting costs, with 93% of match-day requests offloaded to Cloudflare, coping with 10X traffic surges absorbed and crucially maintaining 100% uptime.

By bringing Cloudflare on board and managing the website traffic so efficiently, Skye Cloud has been able to pass savings on to West Ham United as reduced hosting fees. Thus being beneficial to all parties.

A recent addition to Skye Cloud is their new 321 service wraparound.

This new service has been specifically designed to allow the creation of a bespoke cloud solution to run on public, private or hybrid cloud, whichever suits consumer and business needs more conveniently.

Skye Cloud promises a bespoke cloud solutions strategy for the customer, followed by the company’s tried and tested migration process. The customer will be introduced to a commercial and technical account manager from day one and can expect face-to-face support, every time.

In addition to West Ham United, for the past 10 years, Skye Cloud has assisted over 30 charities and companies, saving them up to 25% on their annual IT budget.

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Alibaba Group allies with UEFA and UC3 as new strategic partner

Alibaba Group will become the global AI, Cloud Computing and E-Commerce Partner for the UEFA Euro 2028 tournament and UEFA men’s club competitions from 2027-2033.

 

Uniting two global giants

The partnership will see Alibaba position itself as a strategic partner for UEFA and UC3 at both club and international level.

As one of the world’s leading tech and e-commerce companies, Alibaba will team up with European football’s governing body to deliver exciting new ways of bringing fans closer to the game through innovate technologies.

“We are delighted to welcome Alibaba as a global partner for UEFA EURO 2028 and as a future partner of our men’s club competitions,” expressed UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin via media release.

“Together we can bring fans closer to the game in new and meaningful ways – making our competitions feel even more captivating, engaging and accessible, while preserving the traditions, emotions and spirit that define European football.”

Furthermore, Chairman of Alibaba Group, Joe Tsai, outlined how the company will pursue a shared vision with UEFA to unite fans from all over Europe and the entire world.

“We believe that football is a shared language around the world, and the unifying power of the game at all levels for all fans is the mission that brings Alibaba and UEFA together,” said Tsai via media release.

 

Where innovation meets tradition

Indeed, this is a partnership which is unique in its potential impact.

On one side is a global tech giant, capable of leveraging innovative e-commerce platforms and AI expertise. On the other, a governing body which oversees some of the most popular football competitions in the world.

It is an alliance which embodies the current and future state of the football landscape, which includes innovation and technology at the heart of its operations.

Tech platforms of the future, aligning with a sport of deep-rooted history and tradition.

We saw recently another partnership of a similar nature. Arsenal FC – one of the founding Premier League clubs and recent champions – announced a collaboration with Meta to create new ways of uniting fans beyond the 90 minutes on the pitch.

So, now that Alibaba Group, UEFA and UC3 will embark on their own collaboration in the coming years, fans of European football will see this tech-sport revolution up close as they continue to engage with – and enjoy – the sport they love.

Community Spirit Shines on AFC Grassroots Football Day 2026

This week, Football Australia (FA) celebrated AFC Grassroots Football Day 2026, championing the people and communities who continue to hold up a safe, inclusive and supportive environment in the football landscape.

‘For all, for life’

In collaboration with Football NSW, Canterbury Football Association and community club, Balmain & District Football Club, the day reflected the very best of what football provides.

The event brought in participants of all ages – from 4-74 years-old – and reached a total of 400 people. Girls-only programs, all-abilities sessions and over-age football ensured all were catered for.

Such a diverse range of participants builds on a wider drive during FIFA World Football Week, which seeks to promote the sport not just as the dazzling lights of 100,000-seater stadiums, but as a way to foster community spirit and social development.

Furthermore, FA support through its Club Changer program was a welcome addition to the action, emphasising the organisation’s commitment to nurture a real love for the game across communities in Australia.

“Through Club Changer we support our clubs to provide a safe, fun and enjoyable environment where everyone is welcome; whether that be as a player, volunteer, referee or supporter,” explained National Program Manager Club Development at FA, Grace Lambourne.

“Everyone should feel they belong and are welcome to play, stay, and love the game.”

 

A welcome celebration

While the upcoming FIFA World Cup will no doubt inspire millions of future Socceroos and Matildas, events like the AFC Grassroots Football Day represent something beyond just inspiration.

It is a platform. An opportunity to express a love for football and to connect with others while doing so.

And connections between the professional and grassroots game is more important than ever if Australia is to nurture the next generation of talent.

This is particularly clear in the rise of women’s football across the nation. Since the FIFA Women’s World Cup, female participation rose by 32%, and registrations for the MiniTillies Program skyrocketed from 264 in 2023, to 1223 in 2024.

The professionals spark passion. But communities turn that passion into playing time.

That is why celebrating grassroots football – and the volunteers and families who sustain it – is a vital part of Australia’s football future. Together, FA and the AFC are creating strong foundations built on positivity, engagement, and inclusivity for all with a love for the beautiful game.

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