THE Northern Premier League are searching for a new sponsor, after BetVictor terminated their deal.

As well as sponsoring the Northern Premier League, which encompasses Tadcaster Albion and Pickering Town, the bookmakers sponsored the Isthmian League and Southern League.

BetVictor activated the break clause in each of their contracts during the first week of March, a statement by the Isthmian League revealed, meaning that the decision was made prior to and not influenced by the coronavirus crisis.

The sponsorship of the leagues by BetVictor will officially cease on July, 9.

In a letter sent to clubs by BetVictor last week, posted on the Isthmian League website, the bookmakers explained their decision-making.

The letter stated: "BetVictor have terminated the sponsorship for a number of reasons, but mainly due to the fact that the increasing compliance restrictions and challenges faced in their first seven months outweighed the benefits they were drawing from the sponsorship.

It added: "However, the escalating negativity towards betting in football did not help, nor did – most disappointingly - compliance breaches by clubs in and outside of the Isthmian League."

The Isthmian League statement added: "Although the search for a new sponsor has began, the Covid-19 crisis makes it very difficult to engage meaningfully with potential replacements.

"So, as of now, the Leagues operating at Step Three and Four have no main sponsor for season 2020/21."

"We are very disappointed that this decision was made as it means that we are not able to develop the relationship with the sponsor, said Nick Robinson, the chairman of the Isthmian League.

"We are actively looking for a new sponsor, but are apprehensive at this time due to the general economic downturn due to Covid-19.

"We believe we have a good and marketable product which has attracted sponsors for nearly 40 years, and we hope will continue to do so once we are able to restart the League.”