ACCRINGTON Stanley are seeking a new sponsorship deal worth ‘six figures’, and hope to raise thousands more through a new drive for donations.

The club’s three-year contract with self-storage company Store First is due to expire in January 2016, and directors are keen to find a new partner well in advance.

It means the former Crown Ground will only be known as the Store First Stadium for another nine months.

Meanwhile, the club has issued a call for 250 ‘Red Knights’ to each donate £1,000 to the club, for which they will have their name and a personal message inscribed in a ‘Wall of Honour’ at the stadium.

It also hopes to attract ten ‘red barons’ to donate £10,000, with their names to go on a memorial arch.

The initiative is being led by fans and former England cricket coach David Lloyd, who said: “We are unique in name, a founder member of the football league, and the club that wouldn’t die.

“We want to build on that and would ask our friends and supporters worldwide for their support. We want to ensure that our community has a football team that is on a firm footing and a team that our wonderful loyal supporters can be proud of.”

Chairman Peter Marsden said every donation would make the club more sustainable, adding: “The nearer we get to the £250,000 target (£350,000 if we include the Memorial Arch) the more it allows us to ‘push on’.

“By this I mean giving John Coleman the money to put together a promotion chasing squad with better training facilities too and also set aside money to carry out improvements to the ground which will enhance spectator experience. An even better squad and a better ground will we hope lead to better gates.”

On the sponsorship deal, Mr Marsden said: “We have had a fantastic partnership with Store First.

“Sponsoring our kit and stadium offers excellent exposure through regional and national press, Sky TV matches, various gaming platforms via FIFA and radio coverage too.”