The great Newcastle sell-off (Football)

So Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley is planning to sell the naming rights to the club’s stadium.

After failing to attract a suitable bid for his majority shareholding, Ashley has decided to try and raise a few quid by attracting a sponsor for the ground.

That means that instead of St James’ Park, Newcastle fans could soon be watching their heroes in action at the Newcastle Brown Arena or the Metro Radio Stadium.

It doesn’t sound like a canny PR move, Mike.

Newcastle fans are proud of their heritage and St James’ Park is their place of worship.

Plans to re-name the ground will not go down well with them.

They are still smarting at the treatment Kevin Keegan received after returning to the club for a second stint as manager.

Keegan, remember, was undermined by the appointment of Dennis Wise as Director of Football and resigned amid much speculation regarding off-the-field matters.

Keegan was later successful in securing a £2million settlement.

The introduction of Alan Shearer as caretaker manager towards the end of the season was welcomed by the Toon faithful.

But Shearer was not offered the job on a full-time basis due to uncertainty over the ownership of the club.

Newcastle fans have every right to feel dismayed with the way things have turned out since Ashley pitched up 2007.

They have seen their club relegated to the Championship and lost not one but two legendary figures who occupied the manager’s hot-seat.

With Newcastle no longer on the market, the club is looking to “maximise its commercial revenues”, according to a statement.

Central to this plan is the naming rights offer.

Clubs always face a backlash when such an idea is mooted.

Remember the outrage when Leicester City announced plans to call their ground The Walkers Bowl?

That was a step too far and a compromise was reached when it was named The Walkers Stadium.

Bradford City cashed in on their Valley Parade ground, which became The Pulse Stadium and later The Bradford & Bingley Stadium.

And of course we have Bolton’s Reebok Stadium and Wigan’s DW Stadium, named after owner Dave Whelan. Nice bit of self-publicity, Dave.

None of the names sound quite right to me, but then again I don’t have to raise substantial sums to pay players wages.

–Nick Johnson Red U.K. Editorial Staff