New SPCL sponsor announcement imminent

The ECB Southern Premier League is on the brink of announcing a lucrative three-year sponsorship deal.

Chairman Alan Bundy confirmed that "negotiations were at an advanced stage" with a national company and that the Premier League hoped to be in a position to make a formal announcement, possibly later this month.

If the deal goes ahead, the Premier League will be guaranteed financial backing until the 2003 cricket season.

"It is the Premier League's intention to plough money into the grass roots of cricket, with on-going improvements to grounds and pitches, and the funding of youth development," Bundy added.

The Southern Premier League did not have a sponsor last season.