The Football League has agreed a new three-year title sponsorship with energy provider npower.

From the beginning of the 2010-11 season, The League's flagship competition will be titled 'the npower Football League' with its three divisions being titled 'the npower Championship', 'npower League 1' and 'npower League 2'.

Football League Chairman Lord Mawhinney said: "I am delighted to welcome npower to this new partnership with The Football League. They are a widely respected company with a strong pedigree in sports sponsorship. Their support is a huge boost to our clubs and represents the enhanced reputation of The Football League in the commercial marketplace.

"Like us, npower recognise the extraordinary attachment that Football League clubs have with people living in their local communities. This agreement will provide real benefit to those people."

As part of the new agreement, each of The League's 72 clubs will receive a grant from the npower Charity Fund for a bespoke community initiative in their local area. Fans will also be rewarded for switching their gas and/or electricity supply to npower.

npower will also become the new title sponsor of The Football League Community Cup, the annual six-a-side competitions for teams of mixed Under-11's and Under-13 girls played in towns and cities throughout the country, culminating in finals played at Wembley Stadium before the end of season npower Play-Off Finals.

Volker Beckers, Chief Executive Officer of RWE npower said: "We're absolutely delighted to be partnering The Football League. We share the enthusiasm of the fans that get behind their local teams and, like npower, football has always placed great emphasis on community involvement. We are committing a substantial amount to assist community initiatives at each of the 72 clubs through a Charity Fund administered by both npower and The Football League.

"npower is an evolving brand, moving from simply supplying electricity and gas to providing our customers with a whole home solution. Our sponsorship of The Football League will provide us with a cost-effective means of raising awareness of the range of services we now offer customers, such as npower hometeam, our boiler servicing and installation division. It's also a perfect platform for putting something back into the community through sport in the UK."

In related news, Greg Clarke, the former Chief Executive of Cable & Wireless Communications PLC, has been appointed by the Board of The Football League to succeed Lord Mawhinney as its Chairman.

The appointment of Mr. Clarke, 52, was formally ratified at The League's Board meeting on Thursday, March 11.

In recognition of his outstanding leadership and positive impact at The League during the last seven years, the Board also agreed to recommend to clubs (at their March meeting) that Lord Mawhinney is made Honorary President of The Football League.

Independent Board member Ian Ritchie who led the appointment process, said: "Greg Clarke was the clear choice of the Board to become the new Chairman of The Football League.

"Greg's business experience speaks for itself. He has led multinational companies, including Cable & Wireless, and has sat on the Board of reputed organisations such as Bupa.

"Greg will build on the substantial progress made by Lord Mawhinney, focusing on further improving League football's professionalism and business structure, as well as maintaining the momentum on good governance.

In short, he will aim to make The League even more effective on behalf of all its clubs."

Greg Clarke said: "I am honoured to be taking up the position of Chairman of The Football League. As a lifelong and committed football fan it is a privilege to serve the game in this capacity.

"My time at Leicester City provided an insight into the challenges clubs face on a daily basis. The lessons learnt from that experience will not be forgotten.

"I look forward to joining a highly successful organisation whose clubs are at the heart of their communities. I intend to build on The League's recent successes and represent all our 72 clubs."

Greg Clarke will spend the next few weeks meeting League and club officials. His official starting date will be announced in the near future.