Total has announced a two-year sponsorship deal with first division football club Watford.

In addition to the traditional sponsorship route of appearing on the club’s home and away strips, Total has also embedded its support of the club’s community efforts into the partnership, with a specific interest in nurturing Watford’s growing educational programmes.

“In addition to the overall sponsorship, we’re going to be working with the club on a number of initiatives of genuine benefit to the club and the fans,” said Malcolm Jones, Total UK’s director of retail.

“The first of these is a 32-page guide we’ll be giving everyone at the first home game, with everything fans need to know for the season ahead – fixtures, rundown on the Watford squad, directions to all the away games etc. Logically, it’s called the Total guide to the Hornets 2003/04 season.”

Jones concluded: “The sponsorship is a logical enhancement of our existing agreement with the club and we’re all looking forward to a really exciting partnership.”

Watford’s chairman Graham Simpson said: “It’s a testimony to this club’s standing that we have attracted a brand of Total’s calibre. I am absolutely delighted to have cemented our relationship even further. That’s because we have a huge vision for the club’s community and educational programmes, and Total wants to be part of that vision.

“To now have them as our main club sponsor is a fantastic bonus. Total has been part of the Watford family for some time already, now it’s becoming an extended family relationship.”

Simpson added: “For a club like Watford, which represents a specific town and locality, it’s also great to have a company that’s based in the town on our shirts. The fact that Total is a global brand is another huge boost.”