The Blackthorn Cider brand will feature on the shirts of the Rangers football team as part of a sponsorship deal.

AIM-listed Rangers International Football Club said the brand will support its Scottish team in exchange for promotion of the beverage next season.

Rangers Chief Executive Charles Green said: "We are very pleased to have reached a sponsorship agreement that will see the Blackthorn Cider name on Rangers' strips next season.

"The arrangement is yet another example of leading brands wishing to be associated with Rangers and reflects the fact that the club is one of football's great institutions.

"The deal we have reached is very much in keeping with our business plan and strategy of developing significant commercial partnerships for the benefit of the club."

Blackthorn Cider has a track record of sports sponsorships including for Bristol City Football Club, Shepton Football Club and Well Rugby Club.

Paolo Mortarotti, Managing Director of The Shepton Mallet Cider Company, owners of Blackthorn Cider said: "The Rangers fans' reaction to the club's recent troubles has been remarkable and we are immensely proud to partner with the club."

The Rangers came under fire after it was accused of making undisclosed payments to players. They were fined £250,000 for failure to disclose side-letter arrangements to the football authorities in relation to Employee Benefit Trusts.

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