A warning to Liverpool’s board about planned name changes
Published:In a bid to finance the redevelopment of Anfield, Liverpool this week announced that they would consider selling the naming rights to their main stand.
Reds fans only have to look north east to see the problems sponsorship of a stadium can have on the harmony around a club, with Newcastle supporters having to fight an ugly battle to change the Sports Direct Arena back into St. James’ Park in 2012.
And while that title hardly inspires a footballing story straight out of Roy of the Rovers, there is plenty more ropey stadium names taken on by sponsors.
Here are five of the best/worst….
FC Dallas – Frisco Soccer & Entertainment Complex/Pizza Hut Park/Toyota Stadium
If there’s one thing we can rely on the American’s for it’s sponsorship, and plenty of it.
In just 10 years the MLS stadium has featured four different names already, with only one year bearing anything related to the club when it was known as the FC Dallas Stadium.
Scarborough – McCain Stadium
The ‘Theatre of Chips’ was the home of the now defunct club in their final years, a depressing era for the side for more than one reason.
The ground was demolished in 2011 and a newly formed Scarborough Athletic have looked to carry on the mantle, but let’s just say they are not ‘frying’ up the pyramid (sorry).
Drogheda – Hunky Dorys Park
The humble potato has taken many guises in spreading the goodness it posses through football stadium names.
But when spending from ‘the Chelsea of Ireland’ became a little bit too frugal, and the club found itself in financial difficulties, the Irish crisp manufacturer stepped in and invested millions into the club at the expense of a credible ground name.
Almere City – Mitsubishi Forklift Stadion
Anything FC Dallas can do, Almere City can do better. Well at least it’s better than something like Renault Kangoo Park or Vauxhall Corsa Park, but the Dutch side’s home hardly strikes fear into the heart of visitors.
Merthyr Town – The Cigg-E Stadium
Fresh from having a new 3G pitch installed at their ground the south Wales club returned to their home after a season away, but this time it had a new name.
The club, a reincarnation of Merthyr Tydfil who were liquidated in 2010, have flourished since the renaming of their home, bagging two straight promotions before just missing out in the play-offs last year, and show no signs of running out of puff yet.
