It's the Fizzy Pop league

Last updated : 27 February 2004 By Tony Scholes

From next season, and for three seasons, the league will be known as the Coca-Cola League in what has been described as The Football League’s biggest ever sponsorship deal.

Not only that Coca-Cola and dietCoke will be the League’s official soft drinks, the company’s Dasana will become the official water of the League whilst Powerade will become the official sports drink.

Political failure and now Chairman of the League Sir Brian Mawhinney said: "This partnership will contribute significantly to the proposed re-branding of The Football League." Wow, that’s inspirational !!

And it got better when he said: "Clubs play in integral part in their communities." I bet that one went down well in the Borough of Merton.

The President of Coca-Cola Great Britain Charlotte Oades added: "We are particularly pleased to bring some of our key brands – Coca-Cola, dietCoke, Powerade and Dasana Water – to enhance enjoyment and access to fans and players in their local communities."

I think what Mawhinney and Oades are really trying to say is that they have done a deal because it was the best financial offer The Football League actually received.