With a complete graphical and engine overhaul, Championship Manager 09 allows users to lead their teams to glory in a completely new version designed to give managers a true feeling of ‘total control’ over their teams and clubs.

Championship Manager 09 has dramatically improved navigation for the user and the game features an entirely new fully animated 3D match engine. Designed and developed to reflect and enhance a management experience, the engine uses over 500 motion-captured animations per player and has been built and developed specifically for a PC football management simulation.

Championship Manager has agreed a deal with The Football League to be the exclusive sponsor of the Apprentice of the Year category at The Football League Awards. This annual gala event celebrates excellence on and off the pitch rewarding players, managers and staff.

The world famous football management simulation game has also signed a licensing agreement with The Football League for the next edition of Championship Manager™. The agreement reinforces Championship Manager’s position as an accurate, authoritative and authentic management simulation.

The Award recognises the apprentice from each division who has shown the best on-field performance, disciplinary record and educational achievement over the season. Previously, the Apprentice Of The Year Award has recognised some of the greatest talent across The Football League. In an era of big money transfers, youth development is still the life-blood of football and with more than 8,500 players aged 8 – 18 the football league has fed a vast array of talent into professional football.

Roy Meredith, General Manager of Championship Manager™, said: “We are very proud to be able to sponsor the Apprentice of the Year Award. Seeking out and developing top talent is critically important for all football clubs and that is certainly reflected in Championship Manager™. The accolade will reward youth academy players that have performed particularly well in the past year, providing recognition at a key point in their developing career.”

John Nagle, Head of Communications for the Football League, said: “We are delighted that Eidos has come on board to support The Football League Awards which is now in its 4th year and is established within the football calendar.”

Eidos Championship Manager 2009, developed by Beautiful Game Studios, will launch in 2009.