FOOTBALL’S Northern League has netted a three year sponsorship deal worth £100,000.

Dehumidifier manufacturer Ebac, based in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, extended its current sponsorship to the end of the 2019-20 season.

It takes the amount raised by Mike Amos, who is retiring as league chairman after 20 years, to £1m.

Ebac chairman John Elliott said: “I believe the Northern League is a very well run and hard working regional football competition which greatly strengthens the communities within which it operates.

“It’s the best and most successful league in the country at the level at which it operates.”

The news was announced at the league’s annual dinner last night (Friday May 27).

Morpeth Town’s FA Vase victory at Wembley earlier this month- the seventh time in eight seasons that the national trophy has been lifted by a Northern League side- was among the achievements toasted.

Morpeth chairman Ken Beattie, 40 years as player and official, won top honour the Arthur Clark Memorial Award for his efforts to resuscitate a club which five years ago was bottom of the second division.

Shildon striker Billy Greulich-Smith, whose goals helped the club complete a league and cup double, was named the Northern League player of the year.

Shildon team boss Gary Forrest was recognized as manager of the year and Scott Heslop, of Chester-le-Street, took the Young Player of the Year award after 40 goals in all competitions.

Chester-le-Street’s long serving committee member Ron Surrey lifted the Unsung Hero award in recognition of a commitment which sees him performing a multitude of tasks at the ground almost every day of the week.

Crook Town won the Hospitality Award, not just because of the customary warmth of the club’s welcome but because of an incident in a midweek derby against Willington when visiting player Gareth Ayers broke his leg and had to wait more than five hours for an ambulance.

Cheques totalling £27,000, following Mr Amos’s 510-mile Last Legs Challenge walks to mark his retirement, were presented. Half went to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and half, in £1,000 segments, to community-based charities nominated by league clubs and drawn at the dinner.