More Carling For The Cup.

The Football League and Coors Brewers Ltd have agreed a three-year sponsorship extension for the Carling Cup to run until 2009. This will mean Coors have had an eleven year partnership with the League Cup (5 years with their Worthington brand, and six with the Carling). The finals will be played at the new Wembley Stadium from next season onwards.

Football League Chairman Lord Mawhinney said:

'This new agreement provides a further boost to a competition that is already in very good health.Financially, it delivers a significant increase in value of more than thirty per cent on the existing deal. For clubs the Carling Cup remains a highly-coveted piece of silverware and offers an opportunity to play European football in the following season.For supporters it provides exciting midweek cup football.They are responding enthusiastically.Crowds are up by almost fifty per cent over the last four seasons. To have a respected brand like Carling continuing its endorsement of this competition is terrific news for League clubs, for whom it remains an important source of finance.'

Martin Coyle, head of sponsorship at Coors Brewers, said:

'Carling has a proud history in British football and bringing fans closer to the game so we're naturally delighted to extend the Carling Cup deal until at least 2009. Respect for the Carling Cup has gone from strength to strength over the past couple of seasons: fans love it and clubs relish the chance of the first major piece of silverware of the season and the associated ticket into European competition. It seems there's never been a better time to be backing the competition.'