A NORTH-EAST technology company is hoping to experience the magic of the cup after backing a football team to a showpiece event.

Map Group (UK), a Stockton-based satellite broadband and LED lighting provider, sponsors Bradford City, who take on Premier League side Swansea City in the Capital One Cup final on Sunday.

The family-run business, formed in 1993, has seen its brand awareness soar after the Yorkshire club beat Wigan Athletic, Arsenal and Aston Villa on their way to Wembley.

The firm took over from Bradford and Bingley Building Society as the club's principal sponsor in 2009, when one of its directors, who hails from the city, saw an opportunity to back the team.

Director Matthew Carlin said the company had previously supported a team in the British Superbike Championship supersport class, but had never experienced anything like Bradford's success.

He said: “There are quite a few of us going down to watch the game and it is a fantastic feeling to be part of the club's history-making run.

“We have certainly seen a rise in the awareness of our brand and what we do from the success of the team.

“It is something we never imagined happening, when you sponsor a League Two team you might expect success in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, but not the league cup.

“It has been great and it will be fantastic to see our name in front of thousands of fans at Wembley and millions watching it on TV.”