Accrington Stanley chairman Eric Whalley has hailed a new five-figure sponsorship deal with Asda as a giant step along the club's dream trail.

The UniBond League side finalised the agreement with the supermarket chain this week after months of negotiations.

With aspirations of rejoining the Football League, Stanley officials see this deal as a major stride in the right direction.

And chairman Eric Whalley believes it is a huge boost for the team before the new season.

"It's the biggest sponsorship deal certainly in my time at Accrington Stanley," said Mr Whalley.

"Initially, the association is for a year but if successful, and we believe it will be, it will hopefully be extended over three years.

"Everybody at the club is delighted.

"It's tremendous that a club like Accrington Stanley can attract a sponsorship deal like this from one of the top retail companies in the country. And it will certainly help in terms of the aspirations we have for the club."

Stanley replica kits will now bear the Asda logo and a complete new range of club merchandise will go on sale at Asda's Accrington store on Hyndburn Road and other stores as well.

"We are very proud to be involved with Accrington Stanley, our local team and one of the most famous football clubs in the country," said the Accrington store's general manager, Phil Hamilton.

"We aim to assist them in realising their ambitions and wish the manager and the team success in the coming season."

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