Leading cider brand Kingstone Press are to be the main sponsor of the National Conference League.

Kingstone Press, who also back the Championship and Championship One at semi-professional level, will also support the Conference clubs in their grassroots development.

Conference chairman Trevor Hunt said: "The NCL, its clubs and its players have long set the standards that the rest of the community game aspire to achieve, and our partnership with such a nationally well-known brand as Kingstone Press will only serve to enhance the profile of the brand, the NCL and the sport.”

The deal will see the Aston Manor Cider brand visible online, at stadia and on matchdays with programme advertising.

Aston Manor Cider's managing director Gordon Johncox said: “Kingstone Press is an important brand for Aston Manor, and a quality product with considerable potential.

“We made the decision a year ago to align the brand with the exciting, popular and growing sport of rugby league and are delighted with the results delivered by that investment.

“Being able to also partner with the National Conference League extends the opportunity we have, and will demonstrate to rugby league fans that we are committed to a sport we know they are so passionate about – as are we.”

Hunt added: "We are delighted to have the chance to work with Aston Manor Cider.

“As a major brand, Kingstone Press has rapidly become a key supporter of rugby league from the grassroots to the elite international level.

“With the experience and investment they bring, we can develop the game and support some exhilarating competition across all NCL divisions.

"However, it would be remiss of me not to thank our sponsors of the past six seasons, Hatton’s Solicitors, for their unwavering and valuable support, which has been extremely welcome and played an integral part in the continued success of the league. We wish them every success in the future.”

Johncox added: "We are excited with the platform that is delivered by working with our partners in rugby league and how we can develop activities for both on-trade and take-home markets.

“We will invest in support of our sponsorship properties so that we engage with fans attending the matches, those watching live broadcasts in pubs and at home and particularly those new to this major sport.

“Rugby league delivers an enormous audience, and working with our routes to market we intend to extend the reach and enjoyment of a fast, exciting and authentic spectacle.”

Hunt concluded: "It is an exciting opportunity for the NCL to further develop its own brand with a sponsor that has demonstrated considerably over the past few years its total commitment to the sport of rugby league.

"It is a sponsorship for 2014, but we are hopeful that the partnership forged over the next 12 months may bring further mutually beneficial arrangements for the future.”