A further boost was given to the Supporters' Trust Movement today as Supporters Direct, a government initiative to promote fan involvement in Football Clubs, announced their first major national sponsorship deal.

The sponsorship, provided by Virgin Media - one of the UK's largest entertainment and communications companies, provides Supporters Direct with a committed commercial partner to continue its growth of grassroots involvement in football and other sports. The agreement will help the organisation further develop its training programmes for trusts, publicity campaigns and its annual conference.

The tie-up between the two organisations underlines the benefits of clubs having supporters' trusts and the importance placed on such organisations across the country.