York City clinched its first major signing of the summer today when it was announced the Evening Press will serve as the club's sponsors.

Yorkshire's fastest-growing daily newspaper has beaten off interest from a number of other companies to seal a major two-year sponsorship deal with the Minstermen.

The agreement will see the Evening Press logo emblazoned across City's new home and away shirts to be launched later this summer, and throughout the ground.

In return, the Bootham Crescent coffers will receive a massive shot in the arm as your local daily does its bit to help the club's quest for promotion and the fans' craving for success.

After a ten-year association with Portakabin, the new sponsorship agreement represents the start of a new era for City.

And after the last four years spent in the doldrums, it must be hoped the new tie-up will spark a dramatic upturn in fortunes for the club.

Certainly, next season promises to be an important one for the Minstermen as their success-starved supporters seek a return to glory.

After more than 15 months in the job, manager Terry Dolan will at long last have a team of his own making come the season's big kick-off on August 5.

City chairman Douglas Craig, who has already admitted he hopes the club will be chasing a play-off place at the very least, said: "All of us at York City Football Club are thoroughly delighted the Evening Press will be our main sponsor for the next two seasons.

"York City is primarily a local club serving local people, and we believe the Evening Press' decision to become our new sponsor underlines both the club's and the newspaper's strong sense of responsibility and commitment to the local community.

"Most York City fans follow the Evening Press' in-depth coverage of the club and we hope the newspaper's deeper involvement with York City will enhance further the important news service they provide for our supporters and all their readers in the area.

"The new sponsorship deal emphasises the mutually beneficial relationship between a successful local newspaper and a hopefully resurgent football club and we are confident that this new relationship will be of tremendous benefit to both parties."

Editor Liz Page said the Evening Press was delighted to be giving the club its backing.

"We regard it is a mutually beneficial deal that will promote the club and the local paper," she said.

"It is in everybody's interests that the club is successful and we hope we can play a part in building that success over the next two years."

Critically, she insisted the paper would continue to maintain its editorial independence when reporting club news and matches.

James Espin, the paper's head of circulation and marketing, said: "We are delighted to become York City's main sponsor and we are looking forward to an enjoyable and successful working relationship with the club.

"Like the Evening Press, York City is an important part of many people's lives in the communities we serve, so we see it as a natural partnership.

"We very much hope that our involvement can help achieve success for both the club and the fans."

York City Supporters' Club secretary Ray Wynn welcomed the news. He said: "It is a relief that the club have got a sponsor and it will be a bonus if they have got a better deal than with Portakabin."

Updated: 12:18 Thursday, May 24, 2001