IT’S A DOUBLE DELIGHT FOR THE TOP FLIGHT

THE National League has extended its current sponsorship deal with Vanarama, it was revealed at yesterday’s Annual General Meeting at Celtic Manor.

The current partnership with the vehicle hire company, which began in 2015, will now run until the end of the 2020-21 season, with chief executive Michael Tattersall saying he was “delighted to be working with a sponsor who understood what football was about at this level”.

Tattersall added that broadcasters BT Sport have also signed up to cover live matches in Non-League’s top-flight, with another three-year deal keeping the league’s major contracts tied up for the near future.

“This is good news for the league,” said Tattersall. “There is continuity there and you want that from your sponsors. It is the Vanarama National League, and there is a certain ring to it just as there was with the Vauxhall Conference and the Nationwide Conference.

“They are really good sponsors and really good people to work with. Vanarama understand how fans think, and how clubs think.”

On BT Sport’s involvement, Tattersall added: “I love the coverage. It’s slightly different and maybe a bit off the wall if that’s the right phrase to use.

“It’s not in the studio and it doesn’t try to be too fancy, but it delivers a product that is right for our audience and the analysis is excellent.