Brighton and Hove Albion announced that IT First will be the new club main shirt sponsor for the 08/09 season.

The deal was agreed between chairman Dick Knight and IT First CEO Paul Goldsmith in early May - but has been kept under wraps while the Sussex-based firm re-branded the company in light of the new sponsorship deal.

The image shown is of Albion's new third kit. The new home kit will be unveiled at Albion's first home friendly of 2008, Gary Hart's testimonial match against Charlton Athletic on Saturday 26th July, and the new away kit at the match with Ipswich Town on Tuesday 29th July.

Knight said, "Firstly, I would like to thank Paul, his fellow directors Mark Fiettkau and Simon Gregg, and everyone at IT First for taking on this prestigious role with the club. In their previous guise as Technical Response, IT First were already a very valued supporter on the commercial side, as well being personal fans.

"Over the past five years they have been real friends of the Albion, particularly in backing our community learning programmes and the Seagulls Club.

"Paul and I have worked together closely on the re-branding exercise, and just as Skint embraced the shirt sponsorship, so too has IT First and they are worthy successors.

I believe a club shirt has never before been used to launch a company re-brand, so it's apt that 'first' is the new logo."

Derby County Football Club unveiled a major partnership with Derby-based firm Bombardier - the world's biggest manufacturer of trains and leading builder of aircrafts - that will see the company become the club's new shirt sponsor for 2008/09.

The two parties have signed an initial one-year deal for Bombardier to have its logo on the Rams' kit for their 2008/09 Coca-Cola Championship campaign, with a vision to develop the relationship longer term.

Fans will get their first glimpse of the new shirt when Derby County's 2008/09 home kit - complete with Bombardier logo - will be revealed for the first time at 6pm tonight (Monday June 30) at a city centre event where fans will also have the chance to meet and greet some of the Rams' new signings.

Derby County President and CEO Tom Glick said: "This is fantastic news for Derby County and I'm delighted to have struck up a partnership with a company that has its roots planted firmly in the heart of the community here in the great city of Derby, but with a footprint that extends right across the globe.

"Bombardier is an internationally recognised brand; the biggest manufacturer of trains in the world and one of the biggest producers of aircrafts.

"Striking a partnership with such a prestigious company is hugely beneficial to Derby County and it is a partnership with a long-term future.

"Our vision for this partnership goes beyond the shirt sponsorship and we have exciting plans that will benefit both companies and the wider community in Derby.

"Both Derby County and Bombardier have their roots entrenched in the local community and that remains their key focus.

Ayr United announced that Paligap will be their shirt sponsors for 2008/09 in a deal worth over £40,000.

Hugh Cameron said "The club are delighted to have attracted such an outstanding and successful company, who combine a strong local presence here in Ayr and South Ayrshire while developing their business nationally. The company with it’s expertise in web site design and marketing will be a valuable partner as we best meet the challenge of celebrating the "end of an era" here at Somerset park, and the preparation for the "new beginning" at the Ayr Stadium, Sports & Business campus at Heathfield."

Stephen Cosh, Managing Director, of Paligap added "We are delighted to team up with Ayr United to become the 2008/2009 season shirt sponsor. Although Paligap has grown to become a national marketing agency, our roots are firmly in Ayr and we are proud to support our local club. I believe the agreement offers both organisations many exciting benefits and we look forward to an exciting partnership in the coming season."

Manchester City announced a one-year extension to the existing shirt sponsorship agreement with Thomas Cook UK & Ireland, covering the 2008-09 Season.

The multi-million pound deal takes the partnership between the Club and the nation’s leading travel provider to six successive seasons, one of the longest running in the Premier League.

Commenting on the deal renewal, Club Executive Chairman Garry Cook said: "Thomas Cook has been a loyal and valued partner over the past five years.

"It is fitting that we are extending our agreement at a time when European travel is very much back on the agenda for the Club and our supporters.

"Both Manchester City and Thomas Cook share similar values and we are very pleased to continue our association with them."

As part of the agreement, Thomas Cook will continue to provide great holiday deals for City fans in the UK, whilst arranging all of the Club’s official UEFA Cup overseas travel, including team travel and packages for fans.

Over the past five seasons over 50,000 fans have booked their holiday or travelled with Thomas Cook through the City Travel Club scheme.

Chief Executive of Thomas Cook UK & Ireland, Manny Fontenla-Novoa, said: "We are delighted to continue our relationship with Manchester City as it builds on our position as one of the UK’s best known brands.

Cardiff City Football Club have struck a new £250,000 shirt deal with South Wales transport firm Vansdirect, and are proud to unveil details of an exciting new partnership for the historic final year at Ninian Park.

The new shirt sponsorship deal with Vansdirect will run for one year, with the option of a second season for the two parties. The design of the shirt is inspired by the 1970s yellow and white-striped kit as chosen by fans to commemorate the last season at Ninian Park. The shirt also reverts back to the daffodil and dragon badge which the club used before the recent St David’s version.

The UK's leading van supplier have agreed to become the FA Cup Finalists principal sponsor for the 2008/09 Championship season, with the Vansdirect logo adorning the Cardiff City home and away kit as supplied by Joma.

Both Cardiff City FC and Vansdirect are energised by the prospect of working together over the coming year and plan to maximise the partnership to the benefit of both organisations.

Cardiff City supporters will also be able to capitalise on the new relationship, with some initiative offers planned during yet another exciting Championship season.Peter Ridsdale, Cardiff City Chairman said: "We are absolutely delighted to have secured our new shirt sponsorship deal with Vansdirect. They have been corporate sponsors for the last two years including generously supplying a vehicle to football in the community and this new deal is a major step change in their level of commitment to this Football Club.

Hibernian FC are looking for a shirt sponsor for the 08/09 InterToto Cup campaign. While Whyte & Mackay remain the Easter Road outfit's main backer under a five-year deal, UEFA Cup rules preventing high strength liquor being advertised stop Hibs carrying the name of the whisky giant in Europe.

It's a problem Hibs have encountered in the past, opting to wear Whyte & Mackay's then distinctive blue shield but without the sponsor's name, as they played FK Vetra in the InterToto Cup four years ago.

However, accepting such a move did little to increase their brand awareness, Whyte & Mackay have allowed Hibs to negotiate special shirt deals in subsequent European adventures.

Reading Football Club announced that Waitrose, the food shops of the John Lewis Partnership, will be the new club sponsors for the 2008/9 season.

A one-year contract has been signed with an option to extend and the deal will make Waitrose the only food retailer in Britain to be club sponsor of a major football team.

As part of the deal, the Waitrose name will appear on the new home and away kits, and offers will be available to season ticket holders.

The retailer and club are also aiming to provide Waitrose food in the stadium and its conference facilities.

Reading FC Chairman, John Madejski, commented, "We are absolutely delighted to announce the start of what we hope will prove to be a long-term partnership with one of the most reputable and respected retail brands in the UK.

"We hope that this will become a pioneering partnership and we are already aiming to introduce Waitrose food and drink products across the stadium, hotel and conference centre, which we are sure will be well received by our supporters.

"Waitrose will also be making a number of exclusive offers available to our season ticket holders and we are very pleased that they have shown such willingness to engage with our supporters."

After announcing that Waitrose are the Club's new sponsor, Commercial Director Pat Coyne revealed, "We are planning to launch the new kits in July.

"We're aiming for the team to play in the new away kit in the friendly at Didcot on 12th July, and for the new home kit to be unveiled at the friendly with Aston Villa on 2nd August."

Luton Town are searching for a new kit sponsor after Electrolux confirmed they would not be renewing their deal.

The appliance company has been involved with Luton for three years, having first sponsored the Hatters when they relocated their head office from Slough to Luton in 2005.

Brad Tribble, vice president and managing director of Electrolux Major Appliances UK & Ireland, said: "After three years sponsoring club football there are clearly tangible benefits for any local company – especially forging closer links with the community – and Electrolux has found these of great value.

"Looking ahead, the club's new management has some fantastic opportunities in place for companies to support the kids, the community and the club.

"Unfortunately the timing was not right for Electrolux, as renewal came at a time when the group's sponsorship strategy across Europe was – and still is – being reviewed. Therefore the decision was made not to renew local initiatives such as sponsorship of Luton Town FC.

"We wish the club all the very best for the next season and hope to see them ultimately bounce back to the Championship in the coming years."

The Hatters now face the difficult task of finding a new shirt sponsor in addition to sorting out their difficulties with the FA and Football League.