Brian Lee, the chairman of the Football Conference said: “On behalf of our member clubs, I am delighted to welcome Surridge Sport with its wonderful history and track record into the Football Conference family of sponsors. We are positive that they will prove to be a great addition. The quality of their benchwear and apparel will be appreciated by all management and players.”

Based in Burnley, they currently supply Bury, Barnet, Shrewsbury Town and Mansfield Town, among an array of football teams and they see the deal with the Football Conference as a great opportunity to extend their presence within the football sector.

Charles Lord, Group Director at Surridge, said: “This new deal with the Football Conference gives us the exposure we require to obtain a prominent position in the national arena of the game, through our fantastic product base and the service we offer. The model we operate gives the clubs exactly what they want, when they want it and at a competitive price. Our service and product is a breath of fresh air in a highly competitive market. The early indications we have received from the Football Conference Board and its members is highly encouraging and we look forward to a great relationship.”

Surridge Sport was founded in 1867 and is one of the oldest sports brands in the world. The brand is not just synonymous with cricket but with football as well. The SS Cobbler was the first synthetic football to be used in the World Cup finals in 1958, when Pele entered the scene. The SS UFO was the official football used by the FA for years and the iconic white with a red band was the ball superbly struck by Justin Fashanu in 1979-1980 for the goal of the season for Norwich City against Liverpool.