Fans protest at St James'

Toon fans out in force to voice displeasure

Last updated: 7th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Fans protest at St James'

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Newcastle fans have made their feelings known about the re-naming of St James' Park by protesting ahead of and during Saturday's afternoon's home clash with Peterborough.

Several hundred supporters gathered outside the Milburn entrance before kick-off to voice their anger at owner Mike Ashley's decision to re-brand the venue as the sportsdirect.com@St James' Park Stadium.

Many carried placards bearing the message "Stand up for St James"', while there were a smattering of T-shirts demanding Ashley's departure a fortnight after he opted to take the club off the market once again and appoint caretaker Chris Hughton as permanent manager.

The fans sang "Get out of our club", "Newcastle United will never be defeated" and "If you love St James', clap your hands", closely followed by "If you hate Mike Ashley clap your hands".

They then turned their attention to Sports Direct in more industrial fashion.

Inside the ground, one banner briefly proclaimed the message, "St Robson, St Shearer, St James' Park" until it was removed by a steward.

Ashley took his place in the stand shortly before kick-off and, after a minutes' silence ahead of Remembrance Sunday had been impeccably observed, did not have to wait long to find himself the target once again.

Seconds after the first whistle sounded, a chorus of "Stand up if you hate Ashley" rang out, and was followed immediately by "Get out of our club".

Comments (12)

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Gas Head (Bristol Rovers fan) says...

i agree totally with the protesting newcastle fans. its money over heritage in the football league nowadays. especially at the bigger clubs. this is another step towards the 'americanisation' of our beloved game.

Posted 08:12 11th November 2009

Hassan Al hassany says...

God this is so sad that they have to change the name of a stadium. There's so much history in the name of the stadium, it's just part of the club. As a Chelsea fan, I surely hope this doesn't happen to them. They just cannot change Stamford Bridge's name into something like Samsung Mobile@Stamford Bridge. That's just cheap!

Posted 07:50 11th November 2009

Christopher Sorensen says...

When are these so called supporters going to learn, the best way for your club to get stability is for you to do your job and support your club 100% and let the owner do his job and make money for your club. We dont agree with everything Bates does at Leeds, but constantly protesting destabalises the club. Part of your clubs problems has been your fault, putting undue preasure on the board and managers in the past, dont get me wrong every fan has high ambitions for there club nothing wrong with that, but to constantly be on the owners and managers backs does no good, in the past few years you have hounded out Bobby Robson and Sam Allardyce to name but two managers, let the owner run his club and the manager manage and you do your part by giving 100% unconditional support.

Posted 05:40 11th November 2009

Connor Rowland (Newcastle United fan) says...

I am shocked that anyone would even consider renameing "st james' park" the stadium has been called that for as long as i can remember. St james' park is one of the best stadiums in the world and if you went abroad and mentioned St james' park someone would say "ahh newcastle united" Just like every other newcastle united fan I WANT ASHLEY OUT!!!

Posted 18:09 10th November 2009

Geoff Ritson (Newcastle United fan) says...

Mike Ashley just continues to make mistake after mistake! Who is advising him? With his track record of poor decision making I dread to think what is going to happen in the January transfer window. We're top now and 'sitting pretty' but some bad decisions in January will change all of that. This latest move to change the name of the ground to something which quite frankly is comical is an absolute farce. Listen to the fans Mike and 'get out of our Club'. Toon for ever!

Posted 09:35 9th November 2009

Graeme E (Newcastle United fan) says...

Mike Ashley has to be the most hated and most blundering chairman ever, mistake after mistake and an uncanny knack of turning his own clubs supporters against him with just about every descion he makes. Get the message and get out no one wants you here!

Posted 21:51 8th November 2009

Matthew Hopkirk (Newcastle United fan) says...

The headline @ the top of the article says it all - Fans Protest at ST JAMES' Thank you Sky Sports for (probably inadvertently) failing to give our ground its new official title. Hopefully other media outlets and more importantly, people actually in the game, will all follow suit and simply treat Sports Direct with the utter indifference it and its owner deserve. Anyway, it could be worse - Ashley could have recruited Bob Murray to choose a name...

Posted 13:25 8th November 2009

Mahlon Haupt (Newcastle United fan) says...

You know, Newcastle fans really need to know when to be quiet...The team is finally performing and now they want to cause more off the pitch drama..Be greateful that the stadium name is still there, and wasn't re-named fully..We live in a time where sponsorships are everything..I am a Newcastle Fan and as long as St. James stadium is still mentioned with regards to the stadium name then that is fine with me. To be honest, the fans need to know their place when it comes to these decisions.

Posted 08:46 8th November 2009

Rob Shreeve (Newcastle United fan) says...

Although I totally agree with all the protests as this man should not be allowed to "re-brand" anything let alone our stadium I think we need to tone it down a little because if Mr Ashley gets too annoyed with it all he will completely turn his back on the team and not fund it at all for rebuilding. I think we have made our point very clearly and should now concentrate on getting promotion then see what happens in the summer.

Posted 08:31 8th November 2009

Fraser Aiken (Rangers fan) says...

Good on you, If you have to change your grounds name then in memory of the late great man, St Robson is a fitting tribute.

Posted 01:21 8th November 2009

David Appleby (Newcastle United fan) says...

All brainless Newcastle fans focus on getting behind our team. The most important thing is that we get back into the Premier League next season. If we are promoted someone will buy the club Ashley will be gone and the ground will be St James Park once again.

Posted 19:22 7th November 2009

Michael Collier (Manchester United fan) says...

Does Mike Ashley not understand that football would be nothing without fans??? Therefore he should respect the wishes of the fans!!! Can't the FA kick him out of Newcastle cus no-one wants him in football!!!

Posted 19:15 7th November 2009
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