A MILLIONAIRE has stunned a football league by revising his will to guarantee it will be financially secure long after he is dead.

Officials of the Albany Northern League thought they were dreaming when self-made entrepreneur Brooks Mileson got to his feet at their annual dinner and announced the unique sponsorship deal.

Former four-minute miler Mr Mileson, owner of the Albany Group, had kept his plan secret.

It means the league - formed in 1889 and the second oldest in the world - will not only be sponsored for the rest of his life but throughout his sons' lives by way of a trust.

The deal, unveiled at the league's annual dinner at Ramside Hall, near Durham, could be worth several million pounds because it will provide at least £35,000 annually for many years to come.

Albany, formerly Arnott Insurance, has sponsored the league since Sunderland-born Mr Mileson watched Whitby win the FA Vase in 1997 - an event which he said stirred his emotions.

"I love the Northern League, and what it stands for," said Mr Mileson, who was given a standing ovation by 200 dinner guests.

League chairman Mike Amos, who had no inkling of Mr Mileson's announcement, said: "What a magnificent gesture - it must be unique not just in non-league football, but in football in general."