Essex County Cricket Club is delighted to announce that Faversham-based brewery Shepherd Neame have signed a five-year deal to sponsor Essex County Cricket Club's Norwich Union League shirts.

The sponsorship of a six-figure sum, over the term of the deal, will see Shepherd Neame branded across the new coloured shirts in 2002 right up until 2006.

Commercial Manager Dave Comley said: "This is a very good sponsorship from our brewery partners. Shepherd Neame have been supporting the County for several years now and this new NUL shirt deal will guarantee Shepherd Neame a very prominent position at Essex for the next five years. The deal completes a `trilogy' of major sponsorships with the recent announcement of our new main sponsors Panacea Services and our new training wear sponsors, First Great Eastern."

Shepherd Neame, in conjunction with Holsten, have also agreed to sponsor the Norwich Union League Man of the Match Award once again in 2002.

© Essex CCC