The New Football Pools, owned and operated by Sportech PLC, brings together the UK's three biggest football pools companies - Littlewoods, Vernons and Zetters for the very first time.

As one of the UK's oldest established gaming companies, originally founded in 1923 as Littlewoods Football Pools, we celebrate 85 years at the heart of football and gaming in 2008.

In its heyday over a third of the population played every week with dreams of financial gain hinging on those Saturday teatime football results. The original Millionaire Maker, the Football Pools has literally given billions to millions.

For generations, the mass distribution of Pools coupons 'around the houses' united the British public and formed the chatter all week in the run up to the matches. As sport is often uniquely positioned to do, it transcended class. For the first time, anyone had a chance of being a millionaire; everyone was playing The Pools and all were talking about it.

85 years on, The New Football Pools emulates the history and tradition that has remained at the heart of the social fabric of the UK and its association with football for decades. Having created more than 100 millionaires and paid out prizes to over 60 million winners, The New Football Pools is dedicated to creating more winners playing football predictor games and competitions, already enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of players every week.

2008 also seesThe New Football Pools continue its support and development of Sport and good causes in the UK through grants awarded by its Football Pools Trust. Over its 85-year history, The Pools has contributed over £1.1 billion to football, other sports, the arts and good causes.

Among the first clubs to benefit from The Pools' funding to make grounds safer for fans were Liverpool and Glasgow Rangers who were each then able to convert terraced areas of their stadia to seats. Stadia such as Millwall's New Den, Middlesbrough's Riverside Stadium and Hudderfield Town's McAlpine Stadium were only possible because of Trust Grants.

Eighty-five years on,The New Football Pools continues this charitable tradition. As well as further contributions via The Football Pools Trust, The Pools has re-established its strong links with football through a three-year partnership to become one of a select number of official licensees of The Premier League and Football Leagues and official partners of The Scottish Premier League and Scottish Football Leagues. The Football Pools Investment Fund has also been set up to channel significant investment into football-related good causes.