IT'S the Galpharm Stadium.

Pharmaceuticals supplier Galpharm Group has signed a 10-year sponsorship deal to put its name to Huddersfield's premier sporting venue - consigning the Alfred McAlpine name to history.

The new name was announced by singer Darius and band Girls Aloud to an audience of thousands at Saturday's big pop concert at the stadium.

Galpharm, based at Dodworth, Barnsley, is headed by Graham Leslie, who spearheaded the stadium project in the late 1980s when he was Town chairman.

He is also the stepfather of 14-year-old singer Sasha Armani, who got Saturday's concert off to a rousing start.

The value of the 10-year sponsorship deal was not disclosed, but Mr Leslie pledged to provide more than financial backing to ensure future success "Down at the Pharm".

He said: "It is like coming home for me.

"I spent three years of my life helping to create the stadium - with people such as Kirklees Council leader John Harman and later Giants chairman Ken Davy.

"It has showed what a private and public sector partnership could achieve and it has worked fantastically."

Mr Leslie said he intended to be on hand to give support and advice to the stadium team to help build on the venue's success.

He said he had continued to follow the fortunes of Town and the Giants over the years and had also attended many major events at the stadium.

Ralph Rimmer, stadium chief executive, said the deal heralded a new era for the major venue.

He revealed that stadium chiefs had drawn up a shortlist of three potential sponsors.

But he added: "One of the attractions of Galpharm was having Graham Leslie's involvement.

"He has an energy and a commitment to the site which made the prospect all the more attractive.

"Over the next 10 years, he is going to provide valuable advice on how we go forward."

Mr Leslie, who lives near Netherton, said sponsoring the stadium would bring the Galpharm name to a wider audience as the company embarked on a major expansion drive.

Galpharm supplies over-the- counter own-label medicines for pharmacy chains and supermarkets.

But it is set to launch almost 40 non-prescription products under the Galpharm name over the next few years.

"We are expanding nationally and internationally," said Mr Leslie. "We distribute into Europe and we want to promote the company name."

Mr Rimmer said he hoped Town and Giants fans would quickly warm to the stadium's new identity - although visitors to the stadium will see the McAlpine name for some time yet.

He said: "There are about 35 road signs with the McAlpine name on them. We have been told it will be a few months before they can all be updated."

* Galpharm Group was founded in Huddersfield in 1982 to provide over-the-counter medicines and health care products

* It takes its name from the initials of chairman Graham A Leslie

* The company is now based in Dodworth, Barnsley, where it employs 60 people. The headquarters are pictured.

* Some of its UK customers include Asda, Mothercare, Boots, Superdrug and Tesco.