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Llambias defends Newcastle's St James' Park rename Newcastle fans condemn St James' Park rename
(40 minutes later)
The managing director of Newcastle United has defended the decision to rename St James' Park. Newcastle United fans have reacted with anger to 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, in a move club bosses say will maximise revenue.
Derek Llambias said that the move would maximise revenue which would be of benefit to fans. However, many fans are unhappy with the move, with some branding it "absolutely appalling" and a "disgrace".
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". Mark Jensen, editor of Newcastle United fanzine The Mag, described it as "all stick and no carrot".
Speaking outside the ground, fan Eileen Fox said: "It's absolutely appalling, it will always be St James' Park."
Another fan, Aitken Head, added: "It's a disgrace, we might as well change the name of the city.
"Newcastle United and St James' Park are together like black and white, do you want me to cut my vein and show you?"
However, a third fan, Darren Cowan, who also lives in Newcastle, said: "Give Mike Ashley his due, let's see what happens.
"If it works and it brings in money, then fair enough."
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. Derek Llambias, the club's managing director, said it could generate up to £10m a year.
"There is huge equity in the name. It is in the fans' hearts. 'First and last game'
"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.
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." Mr Jenson said: "Every club which has had its ground named after a sponsor tends to be a new ground, or in Manchester City's case, it's going to bring in massive amounts of money.
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. "It's a very strange way to run a big business which happens to be a football club.
"I think there are much better ways of maximising the potential revenue than turning their fan-base against them."
He added: "People will continue to support the players on the pitch as they have always done no matter what the circumstances."
Newcastle forward 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."
Nexus, which owns the Tyne and Wear Metro, said the station which was named for the home of Newcastle United would continue to be known as St James.