Bognor Regis Town has announced that its ground of 140 years at Nyewood Lane will now be known as the MKM Arena.

Jack Pearce, the former manager of the Rocks – as the team is known, who has been with the club for more than 50 years, said he was delighted that the one-year deal has been struck with the building supplies firm.

He said: "Nyewood Lane has its own very special place in non-league football history and so any naming rights partnership had to represent excellent value for the club and also have a certain synergy; this is achieved given MKM Building Supplies’ increasing support of football in general."

Bognor General Manager Simon Cook said the decision to rename the famous old ground wasn't one which was made lightly. He explained: “Nyewood Lane, or the Nye Camp as some have fondly chosen to call it, is more than just a football ground and so there was lots to consider when we were speaking to MKM about the renaming sponsorship.

“But everything was so positive that in the end both parties found the deal an easy one to make. The MKM Arena has a certain ring about it and we are in good company as the business already has the naming rights to Hull City's MKM Stadium.

“We wish MKM all the best with their new branch in Chichester and look forward to this relationship flourishing."

Richard Hellen, Branch Director at MKM Chichester, said: “We are delighted to be supporting Bognor Regis Town FC, as a new local business to the area we wanted to support local people and local football. MKM have a strong community ethos and we are thrilled to be supporting a club at the heart of the local community."

Pete Bird, also a Branch Director at MKM Chichester, added: “We couldn’t be more excited to be Bognor’s naming rights sponsor. The partnership goes beyond just a name; it’s a shared commitment to celebrate the spirit of football and the passion of their loyal fans.”

The partnership comes as MKM Building Supplies is set to open a new branch in Chichester.