While some say football is the new religion, bishops are trying to boost their flock by encouraging football fans to come from the terraces back to church.

The bishops of Lichfield, Stafford, Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury all feature in a new advertising campaign targeting local Premier League, Football League and Blue Square Premier match-day programmes to entice fans to take part in Back to Church Sunday on September 28.

The advert made its first appearance at Saturday’s Port Vale and Macclesfield Town match as well as yesterday’s Premier League derby between West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa.

It features a picture of the four bishops Rt Revd Jonathan Gledhill, the Rt Revd Dr Alan Smith, the Rt Revd Gordon Mursell and the Rt Revd Clive Gregory under the heading “Your local bishops are very excited about tomorrow’s new signing… you!”

Full of footy puns, the advert said: “The 28th September is Back to Church Sunday – and thousands of people will be flocking to the terraces, er, pews, of their local church to join the millions of people who already go every Sunday.

“Why not join them? We may not offer a pie and Bovril at half time, but many consider a cup of tea or coffee and a bit of banter after the final whistle, er, prayer, a decent substitute. Whether you’ve been ‘away’ for a few months or many years, it’s time to come ‘home’.”