POLITICIANS in Newcastle have again united to urge the media not to call St James? Park the Sports Direct Arena.
As we reported last Friday, Toon owner Ashley has been told he will receive no support from Newcastle City Council in his efforts to rename the stadium.
Civic leaders at the council passed a motion calling on Mr Ashley to reverse his decision in light of wide-spread fan opposition.
Labour and Liberal Democrat politicians both backed the call which will see the council refuse to change street signs to Sports Direct Arena.
The motion, agreed unanimously, says the council officially agrees with ?the overwhelming majority of supporters who believe this is the wrong decision?.
That motion also committed city officers to write to media organisations asking them to hold back from referring to the ground as the Sports Direct Arena, and they have now done that.
Below is the text of the letter sent to media organisations today:
Dear Editor
At a recent meeting of Newcastle City Council there was overwhelming criticism of the decision by Newcastle United Football Club to rename St James? Park the Sports Direct Arena.
As you will recall, the club?s announcement in November was met with widespread opposition from fans who felt it was a change too far.
A notice of motion that was debated, amended and carried unanimously at full council is enclosed.
The motion requests that the City Council write to the media and asks that they continue to use the name of St James? Park in all reporting and refuse to use the name Sports Direct Arena. We respectfully request that you take this approach.
For its part, the City Council has taken the decision not to change any wayfinding signs which bear the name St James? Park, and calls on the club to reconsider their decision.
We would ask that you acknowledge the strength of opposition among Newcastle fans against changing the name of the stadium and continue to call it St James? Park in all reporting.
Yours sincerely
Councillor Nick Forbes
Leader of Newcastle City Council
Councillor David ~~~~~~~~
Leader of the Opposition
As we reported last Friday, Toon owner Ashley has been told he will receive no support from Newcastle City Council in his efforts to rename the stadium.
Civic leaders at the council passed a motion calling on Mr Ashley to reverse his decision in light of wide-spread fan opposition.
Labour and Liberal Democrat politicians both backed the call which will see the council refuse to change street signs to Sports Direct Arena.
The motion, agreed unanimously, says the council officially agrees with ?the overwhelming majority of supporters who believe this is the wrong decision?.
That motion also committed city officers to write to media organisations asking them to hold back from referring to the ground as the Sports Direct Arena, and they have now done that.
Below is the text of the letter sent to media organisations today:
Dear Editor
At a recent meeting of Newcastle City Council there was overwhelming criticism of the decision by Newcastle United Football Club to rename St James? Park the Sports Direct Arena.
As you will recall, the club?s announcement in November was met with widespread opposition from fans who felt it was a change too far.
A notice of motion that was debated, amended and carried unanimously at full council is enclosed.
The motion requests that the City Council write to the media and asks that they continue to use the name of St James? Park in all reporting and refuse to use the name Sports Direct Arena. We respectfully request that you take this approach.
For its part, the City Council has taken the decision not to change any wayfinding signs which bear the name St James? Park, and calls on the club to reconsider their decision.
We would ask that you acknowledge the strength of opposition among Newcastle fans against changing the name of the stadium and continue to call it St James? Park in all reporting.
Yours sincerely
Councillor Nick Forbes
Leader of Newcastle City Council
Councillor David ~~~~~~~~
Leader of the Opposition
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