Bristol Street Motors has become an official partner of “The Rams” Derby County Football Club, as it expands its sponsorship of sport across the country.

The latest deal, with the Wayne Rooney managed club, follows a string of soprts partnerships that the Vertu Motors-owned dealer group currently holds, including Channel 4’s coverage of the FIA Formula One and W Series Championship.

Bristol Street Motors said that it will aim to offer community initiatives and behind-the-scenes features at Derby County, for the remainder of the current season.

The new partnership with the club incorporates a number of rights, including Bristol Street Motors branding featured within RamsTV programming and the club’s social media channels, and at both Pride Park Stadium and Moor Farm Training Ground.

Bristol Street Motors chief executive, Robert Forrester, said: “It’s a wonderful opportunity to join forces with a club that has a proud history and an England legend at the helm.

"As a large employer in the Derby area, we recognise how significant sport and in particular local football clubs are to the community.

“Most of our dealerships across the country are incredibly supportive of grassroots football, with many of them sponsoring junior or amateur teams in their respective towns and cities.

"So, when the opportunity to partner with a huge club like Derby County came along, we knew that it could not be missed.

"We’re incredibly excited to see what the remainder of the season holds for the club, and we’ll all be sure to cheer them on.”

Bristol Street Motors holds a strong presence in Derby, with seven dealerships that include Citroen, DS, Peugeot, Nissan, Renault, Dacia, Seat, Cupra and Skoda brands.

Vertu Motors, already has partnerships with North East football teams Middlesborough FC and Sunderland AFC.

In Scotland, its Macklin Motors division has partnerships with Hibernian FC, Heart of Midlothian FC and is a Community Partner of Celtic FC.

The football partnerships are part of a wider sports sponsorship push by the group.

Earlier this year, Vertu announced the acquisition of the naming rights to the Eagles Community Arena in Newcastle, the car retail group also sponsors Channel 4’s Formula One coverage, and Macklin Motors struck up sponsorship deals with Durham and Yorkshire County Cricket teams.