Newcastle Premiership Soccer

Newcastle fans reacted with scorn Thursday after it emerged that the club's St. James' Park stadium is to be rebranded with the name of a dotcom sponsor. The Magpies' home is to be renamed as sportsdirect.com@St James' Park until the end of this season, to plug the sportswear firm of controversial club owner Mike Ashley. Some 16,000 people have signed an online petition protesting at the name change, while local MP David Clelland has tabled a parliamentary motion urging the club's owners to reconsider. "The idea of turning the history of St James' Park into something that resembles an email address absolutely beggars belief," ... Read Full Story

LONDON (Reuters) - Newcastle United have angered fans with plans to rename their ground the sportsdirect.com@St James' Park Stadium until the end of the season. The Championship (second division) English club said last month they were looking for offers for the naming rights to St James' Park, their home for 117 years. Sportswear retailer Sports Direct is controlled by Newcastle owner Mike Ashley, who has said he is committed to the club after failing to find anyone prepared to meet his 80 million pounds asking price. "We will showcase Sports Direct until the end of the season," managing director Derek Llambias told the BBC. ... Read Full Story

Fallen giants Newcastle are no longer for sale after owner Mike Ashley took the club off the market on Tuesday and then confirmed Chris Hughton will be the Championship leaders' permanent manager. Hughton, who had been working as caretaker boss, has been given a contract until the end of the 2010-11 season after taking Newcastle to the top of English football's second tier as the Magpies bid for a quick return to the Premier League. Ashley has also pledged to put another 20 million pounds into Newcastle this week to keep them financially stable following his unsuccessful attempt to sell the club. He had ... Read Full Story

Newcastle United have been ordered to pay all of Kevin Keegan's costs after their former manager's victory in a constructive dismissal case - a total which could reach 1.5 million pounds. Former England boss Keegan left the north-east club in September 2008 after they signed Uruguayan midfielder Ignacio Gonzalez against his wishes. This month an arbitration tribunal found in Keegan's favour and on Wednesday ordered the club to pay costs and interest on the two million pounds compensation award dating back to September last year. It was another success for Keegan over Newcastle owner Mike Ashley, who claimed the former Liverpool, Newcastle and England ... Read Full Story

Kevin Keegan has been awarded two million pounds (2.18 million euros) in damages after winning his case against Newcastle for constructive dismissal. The independent arbitration panel arranged by the Premier League found in Keegan's favour following his departure from the club in September last year. Announcing its decision, the panel said in a statement: "We declare that Kevin Keegan was constructively dismissed by Newcastle United Football Club Ltd, for which Newcastle United Football Club Ltd must pay to Kevin Keegan damages in the sum of two million pounds plus interest to be assessed if not agreed." Although Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has lost the ... Read Full Story

Championship pace-setters Newcastle continued their charge back to the top flight with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Peterborough. Chris Hughton’s side won the game thanks to first goals for the club from Jonas Gutierrez and Danny Simpson, with Andy Carroll heading home in between. Posh pulled back a late consolation with 11 minutes to go through Dean Keates but it was too little, too late for Darren Ferguson’s side. Under-fire Newcastle owner Mike Ashley was subjected to angry protests both before and during the game – one banner read “Not wanted@St James’ Park” – but Hughton’s players ensured the supporters had something positive to ... Read Full Story

Newcastle chief Derek Llambias insist they fully intend to back manager Chris Hughton in the transfer market. The Magpies managing director has gone into detail about the club’s financial pain they have gone through since relegation. The lack of finances in the Championship was also the major reason behind their decision to look to rename St James’ Park. But despite the upheaval off the field, which has also seen owner Mike Ashley take the club off the market – they have insisted that funds could be available to expand the squad. “We didn’t fire sale. At the time the press were saying we needed ... Read Full Story