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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Llambias defends Newcastle's St James' Park rename | Llambias defends Newcastle's St James' Park rename |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| The managing director of Newcastle United has defended the decision to rename St James' Park. | The managing director of Newcastle United has defended the decision to rename St James' Park. |
| The stadium will be called the Sports Direct Arena, until a new global sponsor can be found. | The stadium will be called the Sports Direct Arena, until a new global sponsor can be found. |
| Derek Llambias said that the move would maximise revenue which would be of benefit to fans. | Derek Llambias said that the move would maximise revenue which would be of benefit to fans. |
| But in calls and texts to BBC Radio Newcastle, fans have described the loss of the historic name as "an insult" and a "slap in the face". | But in calls and texts to BBC Radio Newcastle, fans have described the loss of the historic name as "an insult" and a "slap in the face". |
| Former Newcastle defender John Anderson said he thought that most fans would continue to call it St James' Park. | Former Newcastle defender John Anderson said he thought that most fans would continue to call it St James' Park. |
| He added: "I think it's going to rub people up the wrong way, a lot of people aren't going to be happy with it." | He added: "I think it's going to rub people up the wrong way, a lot of people aren't going to be happy with it." |
| Supporter Gil Okai, who is also a financial advisor, said: "I think it is a dangerous risk from a business viewpoint. | Supporter Gil Okai, who is also a financial advisor, said: "I think it is a dangerous risk from a business viewpoint. |
| "There is huge equity in the name. It is in the fans' hearts. | "There is huge equity in the name. It is in the fans' hearts. |
| "The very notion of wiping out St James' Park from the back of this ground and calling it anything else is going to raise the hackles of any fans." | "The very notion of wiping out St James' Park from the back of this ground and calling it anything else is going to raise the hackles of any fans." |
| Mr Llambias said it could generate up to £10m a year. | Mr Llambias said it could generate up to £10m a year. |
| He said: "Money's tight, football's expensive and if we can make it cheaper to come, then that's our job done. | He said: "Money's tight, football's expensive and if we can make it cheaper to come, then that's our job done. |
| "We are not disrespecting our fans, at all, far from it, we are trying to make it more affordable and put some new players onto the pitch." | "We are not disrespecting our fans, at all, far from it, we are trying to make it more affordable and put some new players onto the pitch." |
| Sammy Ameobi, who made his first appearance at the home ground on Saturday, said in a tweet: "I guess my first game at St James's Park was my last." | Sammy Ameobi, who made his first appearance at the home ground on Saturday, said in a tweet: "I guess my first game at St James's Park was my last." |
| However, Nexus, which owns the Tyne and Wear Metro, said that the station which was named for the home of Newcastle United would continue to be known as St James. | However, Nexus, which owns the Tyne and Wear Metro, said that the station which was named for the home of Newcastle United would continue to be known as St James. |