SWINDON Town are searching for a new lead sponsor for 2014/15, after Samsung ended their partnership with the club.

The Robins’ commercial team have been seeking a replacement for the electronics giant for several weeks after being informed the current deal, which has seen Samsung’s branding feature prominently around the County Ground and on Swindon’s shirts since 2011, will not be extended into next season. The club is currently in discussions with a handful of potential partners.

Samsung declined to comment when approached by the Advertiser yesterday, though it’s understood that the company’s global sports marketing strategy is being realigned - a notion suppoted by the fact Samsung were unveiled as the official sponsor of the England World Cup squad last week.

The decision is not believed to have been made on a club by club basis, either, and it is unknown whether or not Samsung’s backing of Leyton Orient and Wycombe Wanderers, both of whom had the company as their main shirt sponsor in 2013/14, will continue.

A statement released by Town to the Adver last night read: “The Club would like to thank Samsung for their support over the last three years in what has been a fruitful commercial relationship. With a principle sponsorship slot now available, the Club would ideally like to work closer with local businesses and is actively in negotiations with a number of companies.”

The future of the Win A Pro Contract competition, promoted by Samsung at Town, is unclear, though it is expected to cease from next term.

Four ambitious footballers have earned a year’s stay with Swindon since the competition’s inception, with Antonio Josue following in the footsteps of Jordan Pavett, Chris Smith and Kayden Jackson as champion this season.

Smith made one substitute appearance for the club under Paolo Di Canio, while neither Pavett nor Jackson managed to force their way into the Robins’ first time.

The Samsung deal is believed to have been worth around £75,000 a year to Town, while strategic partnerships with other sponsors, such as EA Sports, The People newspaper and Pro-Direct Soccer, are understood to have come about as a result of the electronics firm’s connections with the club.

Town have sent out promotional material to would-be sponsors in the local area and further afield, in which the club encourages potential backing by saying it has “financial stability”, “clear brand values” and “a strong brand which is recognised globally”.

The sponsorship brochure quotes a study from KantarSport, which calculates that coverage in the Swindon Advertiser is worth £36,504 per season to a lead sponsor of the club, and claims a catchment population of 510,000.

A full statement, released on Town's website this morning, read: "Swindon Town can confirm that the Club’s sponsorship deal with Samsung has ended and will not be renewed for the 2014/15 season.

"The Club would like to thank Samsung for their support over the last three years in what has been a fruitful commercial relationship.

"With a principle sponsorship slot now available, the Club would ideally like to work closer with local businesses and is actively in negotiations with a number of companies.

"The Club would also like to invite any local companies who are interested in sponsorship or other advertising opportunities to contact the commercial department on 0844 358 2668."