PAUL Fletcher, the Bolton boy who made it big in football, on and off the field, has scored another famous hat-trick by concluding the naming rights agreement for Coventry City's new arena.

The former Wanderers centre-forward signed a reported £7million deal with Jaguar, the prestige car manufacturer, whose name and logos will become synonymous with the arena, which will be home to Coventry City when it opens for the start of the 2005-2006 season.

The deal -- a 10-year link-up with a five year option -- is one of the most lucrative sponsorships of its kind in the UK, and follows successful naming rights agreements Fletcher negotiated at Huddersfield Town, where the Alfred McAlpine Stadium opened in 1994, and, on home ground, when Wanderers moved to the Reebok Stadium in 1997.

It is an agreement which strengthens Jaguar's Coventry connection, with the company having been founded in the city and already having its world headquarters in the Allesley area.

Fletcher, chief executive of Arena Coventry Ltd, the joint venture company that has developed the arena and will manage the multi-purpose complex, was delighted with the agreement.

He said: "Jaguar is the ideal partner for the Arena.

"There has been phenomenal interest in this wonderful multi-purpose development and I, like thousands of others, cannot wait for it to open in August next year.

"I think it says a great deal for the development and the city, that Jaguar was not the only company we have had serious talks with, but I can not think of a better fit for both sides."

The Jaguar Arena scheme will cover a 72.5 acre site near to junction 3 of the M6. It will create a 32,000-seater stadium, a 6,000 sq metres exhibition and events hall capable of holding 8,000 people for concerts and will boast a 1,000-seater banqueting suite, business centre, extensive office space, overnight accommodation and a range of community facilities.

The second phase of the scheme will create a hotel and the UK's largest 'resort casino' -- including entertainment, restaurants and gaming -- which will be run by the US-based Isle of Capri company.