Colinjb Posted 10 November, 2011 Share Posted 10 November, 2011 The reaction to St James' Park now being formally called the 'Sports Direct Arena' (or similar) has me thinking. When St Mary's was first built it was going to be just 'The Friends Provident Stadium,' until Rupert relented and allowed for St Mary's to be in the title. If we get promoted in the near future it surely isn't inconceivable that St Mary's naming rights will be up for grabs. Would there be outcry again if it ends up as 'The AAP3 Stadium' or similar? Surely it would just be informally refered to as St Mary's anyway, would it actually matter? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_clark Posted 10 November, 2011 Share Posted 10 November, 2011 Wouldn't bother me in the slightest, as long as it still had St Marys in the name. However there's little point in all that effort if it's going to be for a company like Aap3 - has to be someone who will pay big bucks, IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colinjb Posted 10 November, 2011 Author Share Posted 10 November, 2011 Wouldn't bother me in the slightest, as long as it still had St Marys in the name. However there's little point in all that effort if it's going to be for a company like Aap3 - has to be someone who will pay big bucks, IMO. True, just took them as the example as they are our current headline sponsor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a1ex2001 Posted 10 November, 2011 Share Posted 10 November, 2011 The trouble with leaving the St Marys in is the sponsors don't like it as all the TV people etc abbreviate it to St Marys (which is exactly what used to happen) and they don't get there ton's of advertising on the BBC etc. Personally I could really care what the stadium is called or how many logos the players carry it's what happens on the pitch that counts allthough it is sad how money has changed the game almost beyond recognition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danbert Posted 10 November, 2011 Share Posted 10 November, 2011 It would be depressing - another nail in the coffin of popular community sport. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sour Mash Posted 10 November, 2011 Share Posted 10 November, 2011 I always felt a bit sorry for Friends Provident - a good local company investing in Saints with good intentions of a long-term partnership and got a massive negative reaction for signing up to sponsor the ground. I can see it happening again, there is a lot of money to be made from it, but as others have alluded to it isn't as tempting as sponsoring new grounds, as everyone will always know it as St Marys. Same with St James' Park, so the geordies need to calm down with all their crying. What I don't get is what will happen to grounds like the "Amex" or "Emirates" when their sponsors finally change/end? I can only think of Huddersfield who have changed their ground sponsor, just can't see how it would work after 10 or 20 years of one particular name? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 10 November, 2011 Share Posted 10 November, 2011 It would be depressing - another nail in the coffin of popular community sport. You appear to be approximately 15-20 years too late with this stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 10 November, 2011 Share Posted 10 November, 2011 (edited) What I don't get is what will happen to grounds like the "Amex" or "Emirates" when their sponsors finally change/end? I can only think of Huddersfield who have changed their ground sponsor, just can't see how it would work after 10 or 20 years of one particular name? They keep changing sponsor, and if they ever fail to get one, the fans have usually already got a name for the place anyway. Hence Darlington's Reynolds Arena / New Stadium / Williamson Motors Stadium /96.6 TFM Darlington Arena / Balfour Webnet Darlington Arena / Northern Echo Darlington Arena amongst numerous others. The Amex would become Falmer Stadium, whilst the Emirates is likely to always have a sponsor but was known as Ashburton Grove when being built prior to the sponsorship. Doncaster's Keepmoat is part of the Lakeside sports complex so might become the Lakeside. Edited 10 November, 2011 by The9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stu0x Posted 10 November, 2011 Share Posted 10 November, 2011 What I don't get is what will happen to grounds like the "Amex" or "Emirates" when their sponsors finally change/end? I can only think of Huddersfield who have changed their ground sponsor, just can't see how it would work after 10 or 20 years of one particular name? The JJB is now the DW. No big deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 10 November, 2011 Share Posted 10 November, 2011 Considering how f*cking MASSIVE we are and how big our catchment area is, the only acceptable names are as follows. The Apple Stadium The Microsoft Stadium Although with Fawley Power station on our doorstep if we wanted to improve relations with local business The Shell Stadium The Exon Mobil Stadium The BP Stadium Would also be acceptable. Anything less is a lack of ambition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint-scooby Posted 10 November, 2011 Share Posted 10 November, 2011 How about these lot, seem to remember someone wanted them to sponsor another team in Hampshire ? http://www.saints.co.uk/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRM Posted 10 November, 2011 Share Posted 10 November, 2011 The JJB is now the DW. No big deal. two non-descript souless names that mean nothing. St Marys has connections with the part of town and our history, i like it. It means something to the club. I like the fact if anyone sponsored us we could still call it St Marys. imagine knowing our ground only by the name of a corporate sponsor? then one day it is gone and there is a gap between a new one coming in (like shirt sponsors) and you are left with a ground with no name. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 10 November, 2011 Share Posted 10 November, 2011 How about these lot, seem to remember someone wanted them to sponsor another team in Hampshire ? http://www.saints.co.uk/ They could sponsor FC Saints of Southampton. Which is being set up by fans disalusioned with paying £1 to park at SMS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fan The Flames Posted 10 November, 2011 Share Posted 10 November, 2011 I understand when a club is building a new ground that naming rights becomes part of the financing portfolio as it reduces the borrowing requirments, however I think its sad that a club would allow their grounds name to be change for what in the scheme of things is small change. What next, Newcastle changing the black stripe to red for a few quid from a sponsor. Many will see it as something that is needed to compete, well I see it the other way around if you need to flog a grounds name to compete then the authorities may need to look at financing football, as they are starting to. The FA could stamp it out for all historical grounds in a jiffy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krissyboy31 Posted 10 November, 2011 Share Posted 10 November, 2011 (edited) Thought it interesting in that I'm pretty sure Ashley is not going to keep ploughing money in at Newcastle, therefore the stadium naming rights are probably a way of writing off some of their debt to him. Wonder if Leibherr family would be looking to do something similar? Edited 10 November, 2011 by krissyboy31 spelling numpty!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 10 November, 2011 Share Posted 10 November, 2011 Considering how f*cking MASSIVE we are and how big our catchment area is, the only acceptable names are as follows. The Apple Stadium The Microsoft Stadium Although with Fawley Power station on our doorstep if we wanted to improve relations with local business The Shell Stadium The Exon Mobil Stadium The BP Stadium Would also be acceptable. Anything less is a lack of ambition. No oil companies, please. considering local links, maybe "The IBM Stadium" if you want a big name. Not many global brands in the area, to be honest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
This Charming Man Posted 10 November, 2011 Share Posted 10 November, 2011 'The Nicola Cortese Stadium' has a certain ring to it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 10 November, 2011 Share Posted 10 November, 2011 'The Nicola Cortese Stadium' has a certain ring to it... If we ended up with a new stadium with adequate pub coverage, free public transport to games and holding 90,000 people (and full for every match) I don't think I'd have a problem with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry the Badger Posted 10 November, 2011 Share Posted 10 November, 2011 The Nicola Cortese St Mary's Stadium has a nice ring to it I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 10 November, 2011 Share Posted 10 November, 2011 I understand when a club is building a new ground that naming rights becomes part of the financing portfolio as it reduces the borrowing requirments, however I think its sad that a club would allow their grounds name to be change for what in the scheme of things is small change. What next, Newcastle changing the black stripe to red for a few quid from a sponsor. Many will see it as something that is needed to compete, well I see it the other way around if you need to flog a grounds name to compete then the authorities may need to look at financing football, as they are starting to. The FA could stamp it out for all historical grounds in a jiffy. Thing is, all of these grounds have geographical locations and working titles prior to sponsorship, so no ground ever has the sponsor's name right out of the gate and by the time teams are playing in them the fans have already been calling it something for at least a year. Eg Keepmoat was the "Doncaster Lakeside Sports Complex Community Stadium" here : http://www.doncaster.gov.uk/db/chamber/default.asp?Nav=Report&ReportID=5635 and the "Lakeside Community Stadium" here : http://www.cnplus.co.uk/news/mowlem-wins-28m-doncaster-stadium-project/620159.article Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 10 November, 2011 Share Posted 10 November, 2011 'The Nicola Cortese Stadium' has a certain ring to it... It sounds great. It would also tie in nicely with the "Cortese the Redeemer" Statue they are planning to build on Weston Shore with it overlooking Southampton. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint 76er Posted 10 November, 2011 Share Posted 10 November, 2011 As long as the stadium remains where it is the name St Mary's (SMS) will always be associated with it and probably used as the generic name by most fans. Also as the club has no debt there is no pressing need for such sponsorship moneys (to repay build loans etc) and any deal done now would be "peanuts" as not in PL (as would appear to be the case with AAP3). However, if/when NC decides to extend SMS (or build new) then funding will have to come from somewhere and stadium rebranding may play it's role. Best case scenario is if Markus' siblings provide funding and/or equipment from their company for rebuilding and then we will probably all be happy with .... "The Liebherr Stadium" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 10 November, 2011 Share Posted 10 November, 2011 Just out of interest who used to say "i'm going down/up the Dell saturday"?? I used to, these days i just say "i'm going to football" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marsdinho Posted 10 November, 2011 Share Posted 10 November, 2011 Just out of interest who used to say "i'm going down/up the Dell saturday"?? I used to, these days i just say "i'm going to football" I still refer to SMS as The Dell, everyone knows what you are talking about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint-scooby Posted 10 November, 2011 Share Posted 10 November, 2011 Considering how f*cking MASSIVE we are and how big our catchment area is, the only acceptable names are as follows. The Apple Stadium The Microsoft Stadium Although with Fawley Power station on our doorstep if we wanted to improve relations with local business The Shell Stadium The Exon Mobil Stadium The BP Stadium Would also be acceptable. Anything less is a lack of ambition. I think you will find a top director at Ineos "massive company" is an equally massive Saints fan, shame they moved to Switzerland, but they fly back at weekends... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paris Posted 10 November, 2011 Share Posted 10 November, 2011 £10 million being quoted on the Beeb for St James Park ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 10 November, 2011 Share Posted 10 November, 2011 I still refer to SMS as The Dell, everyone knows what you are talking about. But they're all thinking "this bloke's mental, they moved ten years ago". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNSUN Posted 10 November, 2011 Share Posted 10 November, 2011 If it's a name that fits the ground, and we get a shed load of money for it, then fine. The McAlpine Stadium had a ring to it. The Durex Stadium wouldn't. If we ever do go down that road, then let's hope common sense prevails. The Friends Provident St Mary's Stadium was always going to be a mouthful, and it was always going to be a mouthful. Truth be told, if I were a sponsor, whilst I would want the maximum amount of exposure, I wouldn't want to annoy the fans, who are the very customers I'm looking to advertise to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted 10 November, 2011 Share Posted 10 November, 2011 The 'Saintsweb Forum St Marys Stadium' sounds good IMO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRM Posted 10 November, 2011 Share Posted 10 November, 2011 I understand when a club is building a new ground that naming rights becomes part of the financing portfolio as it reduces the borrowing requirments, however I think its sad that a club would allow their grounds name to be change for what in the scheme of things is small change. What next, Newcastle changing the black stripe to red for a few quid from a sponsor. Many will see it as something that is needed to compete, well I see it the other way around if you need to flog a grounds name to compete then the authorities may need to look at financing football, as they are starting to. The FA could stamp it out for all historical grounds in a jiffy. i can see it happening, teams changing kits / sponsors regularly, my mate is a swindon fan and they have been preotesting about them having a different kit and sponsor for the FA Cup http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-15554583 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatch Posted 10 November, 2011 Share Posted 10 November, 2011 The 'Saintsweb Forum St Marys Stadium' sounds good IMO Yep, and as a shareholder ( £5 stake) in saintsweb, I want a seat in the stadium I am sponsoring. So in effect, £5 season tickets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
This Charming Man Posted 10 November, 2011 Share Posted 10 November, 2011 i can see it happening, teams changing kits / sponsors regularly, my mate is a swindon fan and they have been preotesting about them having a different kit and sponsor for the FA Cup http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-15554583 We did the same with our kit with our short lived venture into Europe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThreeSixty Posted 10 November, 2011 Share Posted 10 November, 2011 As long as it keeps St Marys in the name. I'd be fine. That or The Markus Liebherr Stadium. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Mikey Posted 10 November, 2011 Share Posted 10 November, 2011 I think I've only been referring to the stadium as St Mary's the last few years. I still called it 'The Dell' for years... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRM Posted 10 November, 2011 Share Posted 10 November, 2011 We did the same with our kit with our short lived venture into Europe. i know, but that was a bit more special / unique than being in the FA Cup that Swindon will be in every year! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brussels Saint Posted 10 November, 2011 Share Posted 10 November, 2011 As always we want big name/fee signings and success on the pitch, but will moan like hell at selling the Stadiums name, ticket prices, car parking etc. Considering how we almost learnt the harshest lesson about spending more than you earn, I personally hope we never put our club at risk again. If it means changing St. Mary’s name to something corporate or charging us 50p to take a wizz, so be it. I know there are some fans out there who will say they prefer to keep the club traditional in style and it’s not all about big transfers and success (and credit to you for that), but unfortunately I believe you are in a small minority. Most fans want to watch their team play with great footballers and win, the rest is secondary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRM Posted 10 November, 2011 Share Posted 10 November, 2011 As always we want big name/fee signings and success on the pitch, but will moan like hell at selling the Stadiums name, ticket prices, car parking etc. Considering how we almost learnt the harshest lesson about spending more than you earn, I personally hope we never put our club at risk again. If it means changing St. Mary’s name to something corporate or charging us 50p to take a wizz, so be it. I know there are some fans out there who will say they prefer to keep the club traditional in style and it’s not all about big transfers and success (and credit to you for that), but unfortunately I believe you are in a small minority. Most fans want to watch their team play with great footballers and win, the rest is secondary. to go even further i would rather have cheaper tickets and stadium sponsorship than expensive tickets but st marys, Newcastle fans have been given some great ticket deals that they will enjoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a1ex2001 Posted 10 November, 2011 Share Posted 10 November, 2011 We did the same with our kit with our short lived venture into Europe. i know, but that was a bit more special / unique than being in the FA Cup that Swindon will be in every year! We only did it as European rules required the name and number be on a solid back ground not stripes, our home kit at the time was stripes front and back so for Europe we were forced to wear a shirt with a plain red back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kraken Posted 10 November, 2011 Share Posted 10 November, 2011 (edited) Thing is, all of these grounds have geographical locations and working titles prior to sponsorship, so no ground ever has the sponsor's name right out of the gate and by the time teams are playing in them the fans have already been calling it something for at least a year. Eg Keepmoat was the "Doncaster Lakeside Sports Complex Community Stadium" here : http://www.doncaster.gov.uk/db/chamber/default.asp?Nav=Report&ReportID=5635 and the "Lakeside Community Stadium" here : http://www.cnplus.co.uk/news/mowlem-wins-28m-doncaster-stadium-project/620159.article Reebox Stadium JJB/DW Stadium Amex (it's at Falmer but never been referred to as Falmer Stadium, as far as I'm aware) Ricoh Arena So there have been a few stadia built where it's only ever been known by the sponsor's name. But you're right, even if it doesn't have a "localised" name, locals will always be tempted to give their own name to a stadium, whoever the sponsor; if St. Mary's had just been called The Friends Provident stadium then fans would still have called it St. Mary's. If it had been at Stoneham I'm sure it would have been referred to as Stoneham, even if that wasn't ever in the name at all. How many city fans call their's Etihad stadium now? The naming rights issue is one that's never going to please everyone; it's a fantastic money spinner for a club, but it's also a bit corporate and lacking in personality. The St. James park thing though, it'll never quite catch on, just because you can't change that much history. Changing sponsor names works, because it's just a sponsor. Newcastle are now almost trying to deny their location, and with a massively reactionary fan base I can't see too many companies wanting to come in and run roughshod over all that. I think it's probably just a ruse for Mike Ashley to get his tacky Sports Direct brand plastered even more over the ground, plus of course a bit more national exposure. Edited 10 November, 2011 by The Kraken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CB Saint Posted 10 November, 2011 Share Posted 10 November, 2011 If a company is daft enough to pay us a severn figure sum to name our stadium, then I am happy to take their money. On this note I hope the CEO of Young's is a Portsmouth fan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint since 52 Posted 10 November, 2011 Share Posted 10 November, 2011 How about the Saint Markus Liebherr Stadium ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemmel Posted 10 November, 2011 Share Posted 10 November, 2011 I wouldnt have a problem at all if we renamed St Mary's. We would still all call it St Mary's anyway. If it gave us financial advantge to strengthen the team, then all well and good. Not really relevant unless we got in the Prem, but i'm not precious about it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colinjb Posted 10 November, 2011 Author Share Posted 10 November, 2011 If a company is daft enough to pay us a severn figure sum to name our stadium, then I am happy to take their money.On this note I hope the CEO of Young's is a Portsmouth fanThe other 'fishy' folk beat you to it:http://i.thisis.co.uk/274980/binaries/newshirts.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1976_Child Posted 10 November, 2011 Share Posted 10 November, 2011 I've always thought it would be good if Virgin sponsored the stadium: Virgin St Mary's !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fan The Flames Posted 10 November, 2011 Share Posted 10 November, 2011 Reebox Stadium JJB/DW Stadium Amex (it's at Falmer but never been referred to as Falmer Stadium, as far as I'm aware) Ricoh Arena So there have been a few stadia built where it's only ever been known by the sponsor's name. But you're right, even if it doesn't have a "localised" name, locals will always be tempted to give their own name to a stadium, whoever the sponsor; if St. Mary's had just been called The Friends Provident stadium then fans would still have called it St. Mary's. If it had been at Stoneham I'm sure it would have been referred to as Stoneham, even if that wasn't ever in the name at all. How many city fans call their's Etihad stadium now? The naming rights issue is one that's never going to please everyone; it's a fantastic money spinner for a club, but it's also a bit corporate and lacking in personality. The St. James park thing though, it'll never quite catch on, just because you can't change that much history. Changing sponsor names works, because it's just a sponsor. Newcastle are now almost trying to deny their location, and with a massively reactionary fan base I can't see too many companies wanting to come in and run roughshod over all that. I think it's probably just a ruse for Mike Ashley to get his tacky Sports Direct brand plastered even more over the ground, plus of course a bit more national exposure. Falmer was the working title for Brightons ground and people still use it now. Coventrys ground was originally going to be the Jaguar Arena and they named a road in the area accordingly, interestingly the locals want a road by it changed to a Coventry City type name as they search for an alternative identity. How much money does it raise I mean how much would Bruce have paid for the Coventry naming rights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krissyboy31 Posted 10 November, 2011 Share Posted 10 November, 2011 The St. James park thing though, it'll never quite catch on, just because you can't change that much history. Changing sponsor names works, because it's just a sponsor. Newcastle are now almost trying to deny their location, and with a massively reactionary fan base I can't see too many companies wanting to come in and run roughshod over all that. I think it's probably just a ruse for Mike Ashley to get his tacky Sports Direct brand plastered even more over the ground, plus of course a bit more national exposure. To the fans it will always remain St James's so just because Sky and the media have to refer to it as the SDA and it'll have a sign to that affect outside, it won't make one iota of difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNSUN Posted 10 November, 2011 Share Posted 10 November, 2011 I always thought we'd end up moving to a stadium with the name "The New Dell", as The Dell was as synonymous a name to SFC as Ted Bates. Sort of akin to The New Den, ours would be the same, with over time "The New Dell" simply becoming "The Dell". I believe the Stoneham site was touted to be The Stoneham Dell, which I assumed would end up becoming The Dell. I'm surprised it never happened, although St Mary's has as much to do with our history as our former stadium's name. (Record for the most mentions of The Dell in one paragraph?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
for_heaven's_Saint Posted 10 November, 2011 Share Posted 10 November, 2011 Let us not forget Leicester- I doubt many people refer to their stadium as the King Power Stadium, most probably still, and ways will, know it as The Walkers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobM Posted 10 November, 2011 Share Posted 10 November, 2011 If there is a chance to increase profit and increase our options for investing in the team, it would seem quite stupid not to. St. Marys is a flat-pack stadium that's hardly been around and loved by us all for decades, it started life with a sponsored name even has a name that some people didn't expect or in some cases want (i.e. those who wanted the Dell name to continue somehow). So why get upset if it changes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
St.Jeweller Posted 10 November, 2011 Share Posted 10 November, 2011 Is the Mercedes stadium sponsorship Cortese struck last season still valid, or has it expired?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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