Bradford City have netted the most lucrative sponsorship deal in their history.

And chairman Geoffrey Richmond believes the unprecedented eight-year contract with Sunwin represents further evidence that the club's future is looking bright.

The deal means the Sunwin brand will sponsor the new £7.5 million main stand which will be fully open early next year.

Both parties refused to disclose the figure for the deal but chairman Geoffrey Richmond revealed it dwarfs the four-year contract with Sunwin for the existing main stand which was due to end next year.

He said: "We are delighted with the new deal and it shows the confidence and faith that the business community has in the club. It is the most lucrative in our history.

"Sunwin is the most prestigious retailer in the city and it is good to have them connected with our flagship development at Valley Parade.

"The stand will cost £7.5 million to make it the club's largest investment by some considerable distance. The new deal has trebled the existing sponsorship."

Richmond believes the eight-year sponsorship contract is a further illustration of the club's growing profile.

He said: "When we came up into the First Division in 1996, we were seen as one of the minnows in comparison to the other clubs.

"Since then we have grown and we have won a lot of friends not only nationally but internationally as well. The profile of this club is now sky high.

"People who had never even heard of Bradford City now know all about us. Last Saturday's match against South-ampton was beamed live to more than 80 countries.

"We have a lot to be proud of and this club is much stronger for playing in the Premier-ship. We intend building on that."

Yorkshire Co-operative own all the Sunwin businesses and chief executive designate Peter Marks added: "Brad-ford City have done wonders in recent years for the profile of this city.

"This is two successful Bradford-based organisations working together and that is what the city needs. The length of the deal shows we are committed to the club and certainly not 'Johnny-come-latelys'.

"We have a turnover of £400 million and our history and our head office are in this city. We have tremendous faith in the club and Geoffrey Richmond."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.