Nationwide Building Society yesterday became the English Football League's new sponsors in a record three year deal.

The agreement, worth £5.25 million, almost doubles the £1 million a year backing from insurance company Endsleigh which expired with this week's play off finals.

It will take in the 1998-99 centenary season of the League, which was founded in 1888 but lost 11 seasons during the two world wars.