This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-england-tyne-15672447
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Newcastle fans condemn St James' Park rename | Newcastle fans condemn St James' Park rename |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Newcastle United fans have reacted with anger to 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, in a move club bosses say will maximise revenue. | |
| However, many fans are unhappy with the move, with some branding it "absolutely appalling" and a "disgrace". | However, many fans are unhappy with the move, with some branding it "absolutely appalling" and a "disgrace". |
| Mark Jensen, editor of Newcastle United fanzine The Mag, described it as "all stick and no carrot". | 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." | 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. | 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?" | "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. | 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." | "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." |
| Derek Llambias, the club's managing director, said it could generate up to £10m a year. | Derek Llambias, the club's managing director, said it could generate up to £10m a year. |
| 'First and last game' | 'First and last game' |
| 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." |
| 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. | 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. |
| "It's a very strange way to run a big business which happens to be a football club. | "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." | "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." | 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." | 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. | 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. |