Newcastle Name Change Is A Bit Of A Mouthful

Newcastle United have become the latest sports club to have a well known corporate sponsor above its stadium's door.

The decision to change the name of Newcastle United's treasured football stadium into something resembling an email address has left fans raging.

The club's new owner Mike Ashley has changed St James' Park's name to "sportsdirect.com@ St James' Park" until the end of the season.

The alteration has gone down like a lead balloon with the club's fans who haven't exactly welcomed billionaire Mike Ashley with open arms since his arrival in 2007.

St James' Park is one of Britain's oldest stadiums, dating back to 1892, and has been home to footballing legends such as Sir Bobby Robson, Kevin Keegan and Alan Shearer.

Now critics say the rebrand has cheapened the club's reputation and heritage because it's boss Ashley's online sportswear company's name above the door.

Over 16,000 supporters have signed a petition against the plan and the issue has even been brought up in the House of Commons.

But is this is all a fuss over nothing? Newcastle United is by no means the first sports club to have a well known brand name sponsoring it.

Leicester City's home is the Walkers Stadium and fans watch York City play at the Kit-Kat Crescent.

Stadiums in the US go even further - FC Dallas play at Pizza Hut Park.

But sometimes having a big corporate sponsor can backfire disasterously.

The Houston Astros played at Enron Park until scandal erupted and the company went bankrupt. Now the Astros play at Minute Maid Park.

And one US club which must find it hard to be taken seriously is the Colorado Rapids who play at Dick's Sporting Goods Park - Dick's for short.

Newcastle United supporters are planning to hold a demonstration at The Magpie's game against Peterborough United on saturday.

But with the new name, it's looking unlikely fans will be able to fit sportsdirect.com@St James' Park across any banners they plan to wave...