E.ON, the company that runs Powergen, strengthened its ties in English football agreeing a new sponsorship deal with The Football League.

E.ON will become the Official Energy Partner to The Football League in a three-year deal lasting until 2010.

The sponsorship will also see E.ON supporting The Football League's 'Fans of the Future' initiative, which aims to encourage an additional 300,000 children to watch live football at their local League club and provides a range of innovative ticketing initiatives for families and young fans.

In addition to securing a set of commercial rights across the Championship, League 1 and League 2 clubs, the partnership deal will see E.ON working closely with all the League clubs to promote environmental awareness, in particular energy efficiency, and help communicate some of the practical solutions that will move them to a more sustainable future.

The Football League agreement bolsters E.ON's involvement in football, following first season for E.ON as Sponsor of The FA Cup, The FA Women's Cup, The FA Youth Cup and as The FA's Schools Partner.

Speaking at the launch, Head of Sponsorship at E.ON UK, Mike Thompson said: "We are delighted to announce our sponsorship deal with The Football League. Working more closely with clubs across the League will allow us to extend our reach to football fans, customers and E.ON colleagues in the communities in which we operate."

Football League Chairman, Lord Mawhinney said, "I am delighted to welcome E.ON as the Official Energy Partner to The Football League. Their involvement represents a vote of confidence in our clubs and competition and I look forward to a successful relationship."