Mansfield non-executive chairman Tony Eggington has blasted 'bizarre' plans to re-brand the club.
Eggington hits out at plans to re-brand the Stags
Mansfield non-executive chairman Tony Eggington has blasted 'bizarre' plans to re-brand the club as 'Harchester United'.
Businessman and former York City chairman John Batchelor has stated that he aims to re-brand the Stags into Sky TV's 'Dream Team' programme which tracks the fortunes of a fictional Premier League side, Harchester United, if he gains control of the club.
The League Two strugglers are battling to maintain their Football League status and Batchelor is believed to be on the verge of completing a takeover, but Eggington is adamant there will be no re-branding.
"The takeover is quite possible and feasible, but to think about changing the name of the club is bizarre to say the least," Eggington told
Sky Sports News. "It is a PR stunt for Mr Batchelor.
Takeover
"I don't think it (a re-naming) could happen. I don't think League rules would allow it to happen.
"I'm not well versed in the rules, but I do believe the Football League wouldn't allow a change of name just like that.
"I know he previously did it with York City, but we'll have to see."
Eggington - who has also revealed that he is stepping in as part-time chairman of the Stags - admits that he is unaware of the status of Batchelor's takeover bid, but he is optimistic Mansfield will avoid the drop.
Devastated
"Hopefully with the announcement today that I'm stepping in as interim chairman it will give the lads, and more importantly the fans, the heart to get behind the club," added Eggington.
"I'm not sure what the status of that (the takeover bid) is and obviously now I will be able to get a few more details during the next couple of days."
And Eggington, who is also the Mayor of Mansfield, insists the people of the town are also unlikely to welcome the proposed change.
"They would be devastated," Eggington continued. "Its been a football club for many years.
"It is just absolutely ridiculous to think about changing the name and it would distance it (the club) from the fans. The fans aren't at all interested in changing the name."
