NCEL Premier Division side Mickleover Sports will become Derby FC next season, reports the Derbyshire Evening Telegraph.

A vote at the Northern Counties East club's annual general meeting was in favour of changing the name of the club for the start of the 2007-08 season.

Chairman Mike Brain has welcomed the decision, saying that it was a big step forward.

"By changing our name to Derby FC, it will widen the audience and attract more sponsors, which we really need if we are to move forward," he said.

"I've spoken to the Football Association and the Northern Counties East League, who have agreed that we can change our name but not until the end of the season.

"It is only the name of the football team - the first team, reserves and academy side - that will be affected.

"The junior sides and cricket teams will remain the same.

"A lot of effort has been put into the team and that is showing on the pitch as we are currently third in the league and are attracting top players like Christian Moore.

"But we need to boost the team off the pitch."

The club was founded in 1948 and originally began life as Mickleover Old Boys, playing for 44 years in the Derby and District Senior League.