The Football Association and Mitre Sports International are delighted to announce a new four year ball deal, which will see the England Senior Team use Mitre footballs in all home matches, including the Euro 2004 and World Cup 2006 qualifiers.

The agreement also means that Mitre will provide the official matchball for The FA Cup competition as well as the footballs to be used by England teams at all levels.

The deal will cover the balls used by The FA at the new National Football Centre in Burton, which will become part of Mitre's rigorous testing procedure to help develop the footballs of the future.

The various England teams will use the Mitre ISO England Ultimax for all home matches, while The FA Cup matchball will be the Mitre ISO Final ball.

England Head Coach Sven Goran Eriksson: "We have been using Mitre footballs since I took charge of the England Team and I am very happy that we will be continuing the relationship for a further four years, starting with the qualifying campaign for the 2004 European Championships.

Tom Stopforth, President of Mitre Sports International commented: "This agreement continues a proud tradition that has seen Mitre associated with The Football Association and the England team for an unbroken period of forty years".

Paul Barber, The Football Association's Director of Marketing & Communications, commented: "We are delighted to be continuing our association with Mitre. We have used Mitre footballs for many years at all levels of the game, from the National team through to junior football, and the balls have been outstanding at every level. This agreement represents a perfect match between The FA and the specialist British football brand".

Paul Bell, Marketing Manager of Mitre Sports International: "Mitre footballs are used by players across the country every week at all levels. The ball is an essential piece of kit for the players, particularly at the very highest levels of the game, and the decision to use Mitre footballs is true recognition of our expertise in this field."