The Coventry Evening Telegraph has signed for the Sky Blues – as the first corporate sponsor of the First Division club’s new £113m stadium.

The city’s daily newspaper is backing the club by taking the name of the north stand at the ground where the team will be kicking off the 2005 season.

The Trinity Mirror-owned Evening Telegraph stand will be the home of the city’s most dedicated fans and is situated directly behind the goal. The deal firmly cements the paper’s long-standing support of the team.

The 32,000-seater stadium – the heart of a complex which will include a huge casino and exhibition and conference facilities – is crucial to the Sky Blues’ ambitions to return to the Premiership.

Editor Alan Kirby said the paper was proud to be associated with the landmark development.

He said: “It is also a major step forward for the project and more city businesses are now expected to follow our backing of the stadium.”

Sky Blues chairman Mick McGinnity welcomed the strengthened bond between the football club and the city newspaper.

He said: “From the chairman’s point of view we are delighted to be working with the Coventry Evening Telegraph at this exciting time for the club.

“We have always worked closely with the Evening Telegraph and hope to continue that tradition.”

Arena chief executive Paul Fletcher, editor Alan Kirby, regional marketing director Jane Nugent and Arena marketing director Ken Sharp at the former gas works site in the north of the city.

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