PREMIER League clubs were last night celebrating a record £743 million four-year television deal with BSkyB and the BBC. The contract was agreed by club chairmen meeting in Coventry and signals an extension of the current five-year association, which expires at the end of next season.

Sky beat off heavyweight opposition to retain the live rights with a bid of £670 million a massive increase on the £214 million they paid to prise the show from ITV.