THE executive director of a Winsford-based firm has kicked off the second year of a major football sponsorship deal at Old Trafford.

Dick Norris, of Henkel, welcomed four new teams to the UniBond League at the Manchester United ground.

The UniBond name is the market leading adhesive brand of Henkel, who are the shirt sponsors of league members Winsford United.

United's two new opponents for this season's UniBond Premier Division title race are Gateshead and Stalybridge Celtic, with Hucknall Town and Burscough going into the First Division.

Mr Norris said: "We have benefited enormously from our association with the Northern Premier, which is now known as the UniBond League.

"It continues to attract a great deal of attention from the 25,000 club supporters and 2,500 players alike, gaining exposure for UniBond and reaching half a million people every year.

"We are sure that by providing support for football in the north at its grass roots level, our national game will flourish and produce a high standard of football.

"Henkel has strong northern links - many UniBond customers come from the former Northern Premier area, and the product is made in Winsford which is also the base of our company's research, administration and distribution centre."

Winsford United will also benefit from a new promotion for the 1998-99 season, as Henkel have provided all 44 clubs with two dozen branded baseball caps, steward jackets and further UniBond League coats.

Their £300,000 sponsorship continues until the year 2000 and their Club of the Month award will also continue next season.

The UniBond League season kicks off on Saturday when Winsford travel to Gainsborough Trinity.

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