It's St James' Park!To say there’s been some opposition to Mike Ashley’s rehash of his previously botched plan to sell the St James’ Park naming rights would be an understatement.
However as more details have emerged it’s become ever more obvious that this 2.0 version is scarcely better than the previous one, and it seems more than likely that the club will once again end up with the worst of both worlds, a cheap tacky stadium with an awful name and nothing whatsoever to show for it.
Referring to sponsorship consultant Tim Crow’s “Six golden rules” of stadium naming rights, quotes from experts from the world of sports sponsorship about the naming rights offer, and some of my own personal thoughts, I will attempt to outline some of the reasons even this revamped naming rights offer will have scant chance of success.
Let’s begin with golden rule number one:
1. The stadium must have only one short name. If there are two names, one of which is the sponsor’s, guess which one the media, and the fans, will edit out? ‘The Reebok Stadium’ works: so does ‘The Emirates’. Conversely, horrors like ‘Sports Direct.com@St James’ Park’ always quite deservedly bomb.”(more…)
Derek Llambias: Absolutely full of it.With the news that Newcastle United will be changing it’s name to “Sports Direct @ St James’ Park”, the Managing Director of the club, Derek Llambias, has sought to reassure fans that the St James’ Park name would remain so long as he and current owner, Mike Ashley “reigned” at the club.
Firstly though, he told BBC Radio Newcastle about how this would be a “showcase” to lure prospective outside sponsors would would bring much needed revenue into the club saying:
“We will showcase Sports Direct until the end of the season,” then adding:
“I’m sure we’re going to get a sponsor in for next season.”
When asked if the name “St James’ Park” would always remain, Llambias then reassured fans by responding:
“Absolutely. In our reign, absolutely.”
“It’s adding to it, and if it brings in a good chunk of money to the club, that goes straight to the team, then do you know what, it’s a revenue we should look at.”(more…)
Ashley: May be fat, but not a “Cockney”Has Mike Ashley reduced Newcastle United’s debt?
Hmmm.
Well, it has been several months since Newcastle United published their last set of audited accounts at Companies House (March 2011), and that was for 2009/10. However, at that time it did appear as if the debt had actually risen significantly, though it is hard to deny that the the club are in a somewhat less perilous position finacially since Mike Ashley took over the club from the gruesome twosome, Freddy Shepherd and Douglas Hall.
In June 2007 when Ashley finally gained full control of the club, it looked as if the club was £71 million in debt, however, after Ashley’s takeover, it became apparent that the mortgage on the ground had to be paid off, and the level of debt was actually £124 million. More details are available from the site NUFC Finances site.
In the last published set of accounts, published in March 2011 (for 2009/10), they revealed that the club’s net debt at that time stood at around £150 million, most of this figure being owed to a certain Mr.MJW.Ashley of Totteridge, Hertfordshire. It also revealed that despite a slightly misleading statement by Newcastle United in May 2010 which read: (more…)
The Gallowgate - Soon be sporting three new signs.There has been a bit of a storm brewing at St James’ Park over the last few weeks, and it is six advertising boards that have been the in the eye of it.
Controversial plans to stick some advertising signs to the side of the St James’ Park were given the go ahead yesterday despite the plans attracting more that 23,700 objections, including objections from as far a field as Malaysia.
But now Newcastle City Council have agreed the planning application submitted bby the club which will see three new signs attached to the Milburn Stand and another three signs attached to St James’ Park on the outside of the Gallowgate End with the long term aim being to increase commercial revenue coming into the club. (more…)
Sticky Toffee time?Following on from last week’s facts on Blackpool I have decided to take a slightly different approach to this week’s preview of the trip to Goodison Park.
I am now going to try to incorporate more facts relating to this history between the two clubs as well as facts which relate to the big game along with the trivial facts of The Toffee’s to cast your eyes over. I hope you enjoy!
1. The record between the two clubs over the years is incredibly close. Out of 158 games, United have won 62 and Everton have won.. 62, with the the clubs drawing 34 times. The two clubs are even neck and neck for goals scored with United just edging it with 239 compared to 238 for The Toffees.
2. The bad news for United fans travelling down to Goodison Park however is that United have managed just five wins from the last 16 league visits to Merseyside in the Premier League, failing to win in the last 7 trips. United’s last win came in the 2001/02 season with messers Bellamy, Solano and Acuna netting the goals in a 3-1 win. Take some comfort from the fact United battled to a 2-2 in their last visit to Goodison Park in Joe Kinnears first game in the Newcastle hot seat. (more…)
