THE REGION S football teams are celebrating after the United Counties League struck its most lucrative ever sponsorship deal this week. Eagle Bitter brewer Charles Wells Ltd of Bedford has agreed a new three-year sponsorship deal with the league, running

THE REGION'S football teams are celebrating after the United Counties League struck its most lucrative ever sponsorship deal this week.

Eagle Bitter brewer Charles Wells Ltd of Bedford has agreed a new three-year sponsorship deal with the league, running until the end of the 2008-09 season.

St. Neots Town finished fourth in the UCL Premier Division last season while St. Ives Town came ninth. Huntingdon Town finished twelfth in Division 1.

The deal will make the company the longest running sponsor in the UCL's history and comes as a boost to the future of the league which will continue to be known as the "Eagle Bitter United Counties Football League".

Chairman of the UCL John Weeks, said: "This is the most lucrative sponsorship deal in the league's history and reflects the growing interest in the exposure the non-league game offers.

"During the season our league name appears in newspapers with a combined circulation approaching one million which offers our sponsor incredible exposure."

Peter Gowans, Regional Sales Manager of Charles Wells Ltd, said: "We are delighted to have secured the sponsorship of the UCL for another three seasons.

"It is a long-term commitment and the new deal represents an increased investment of over 35 per cent. We foresee the exposure of the UCL and its member clubs growing as non-league football is restructured by the English Football Association.

The Eagle Bitter United Counties Football League 2006-07 season begins next month.