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

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

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

The life and times of former England football manager Sir Bobby Robson are to be remembered in a special medal commissioned by the Royal Mint. The Royal Mint said the honour was normally reserved for members of the Royal Family but it was right to extend this to Sir Bobby, who died of cancer in July. The Royal Mint hopes this medal will afford a fitting tribute not just for those who wish to remember the career of a great football hero, but also for those who were inspired by Sir Bobby’s enduring charisma and grace. The obverse of the medal features a portrait ... 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 and West Brom strengthened their positions as the Championship's two two with wins on Saturday as the rest of the top five all lost. Read Full Story