Hughton makes plea to supporters.
Posted on November 6th, 2009 | 39 Comments |
Fans are, of course, particularly upset that Ashley plans to peddle Sports Direct on the back of – or, to be more precise, on the front of – the St James’ Park name. Hughton evidently fears rebellion is in the air.
Praising our supporters, Hughton said:
“There are two ways of supporting a team.
“There is no support in this division which has turned up as consistently as our fans have. That is something that is vital for us.
“It is the supporters’ prerogative [to protest], it is their club. My concerns are that they get behind the team and from that angle they haven’t let us down.”
We’ve averaged just over 41,000 this season, which puts us in 6th place in the entire football league.
Hughton continues:
“In the period of time I have been here, you get used to getting on with football matters.
“They are the things that are most important for me. Trying to keep this team in a position where we are now.
“I sympathise with the supporters. They give us wonderful support and there is no doubt this is their club. When you look at the numbers which turned up at Sheffield United, Scunthorpe, Forest. After what we have been through, that is wonderful.”
Hughton had this to say about the stadium renaming:
“I am quite sure that in a year’s time, two years’ time, 10 years’ time, people will still refer to the stadium as St James’. It’s not like a club that has actually moved its stadium.
“I can understand where the supporters are coming from, but in everybody’s eyes, it will still be St James’.
“There are always going to be commercial decisions, but the most important thing for us is we are able to strengthen in the areas we need to prolong a season that hopefully sees us at the right end of the table.
“I have been told they [the board] will look to support me in my endeavours to strengthen.”
Of course Chelsea – after seeing how well-received the idea was here – have now also decided to sell the rights to their stadium name.
no naye never