SOCCER minnows Accrington Stanley may be in the lower leagues but believe they are are ahead of the Premiership when it comes to promoting sponsors.

The Reds, one of Britain's best-loved small clubs, believe they are the first club in the country to have an internet address on their shirts.

The current one carries the name and website address of the club's sponsor, Bridge Computer Systems, across the front.

The computer firm, based at the Network 65 business park near Hapton, has sponsored the UniBond Division One team since the start of this season.

Accrington Stanley commerical director John De Maine said: "We believe we are the first club in Britain to do this. "There are other clubs sponsored by computer firms, and even internet companies, but we've never seen any carry a website address on their shirts."

Company marketing manager Karen Lambert said: "We've done some research into whether Accrington Stanley is the first team to carry a website address on the its shirt.

"No one has yet managed to prove us wrong, and we are 99 per cent sure Stanley is the only team in the land to do so."

Bridge Computer Systems was founded about 10 ten years ago by managing director David Price.

The firm has recently shifted emphasis from its original business of selling computers and software. In addition to sales, Bridge now builds websites for customers and provides a range of e-business services.

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