But what Sheffield United supporters really want to know about their club's sponsorship package with the island of Malta is how it will affect the team.

When officials from the archipelago's tourism department arrived at Bramall Lane this week to celebrate an agreement which, even sceptics concede, can be described as groundbreaking, more details emerged about how United plan to groom the next generation of Maltese talent.

"Football is very popular there," United director Scott McCabe told The Star. "Although there are systems in place for youngsters, there doesn't appear to be too many opportunities for them to continue their development afterwards.

"One of the things we are committed to doing is helping to establish an academy there to solve that particular problems and promote football as a force for good in the community in other ways."

Chris Fenech, the Malta Tourist Authority's UK and Ireland director, said: "Football has a big following in Malta and people will follow their local team and one other; usually from England or Italy.

"So Sheffield United are well known and well respected anyway but hopefully, because of this (sponsorship) we would like to see them become everybody's 'second team'.

"Naturally, if there are any promising young players in Malta then Sheffield United will be in a position to take a look at them first.

"We've made great strides in this area in recent years and, together with Sheffield United, look forward to improving still further. We want to bring a strong Sheffield United presence to Malta and establish a strong Maltese link here."


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