Another Reminder To Ashley What The Stadium Is Called

Last updated : 20 February 2012 By Footy Mad - Editor

yir

"Why SHOULD Mike Ashley plough money into the club when the fans treat him the way they do?"

Perhaps the Newcastle owner should LISTEN more, rather than treating the club like a spoilt brat's play thing.

He (not personally) has been forced to clean up graffiti from St James’s Park for the second time since the stadium’s iconic lettering was removed.

Just hours after workers took a crowbar to historic signs last Thursday, disgruntled fan Michael Atkinson painted the name back on in white paint in protest.

The 29-year-old, of Newbiggin Hall, Newcastle, was charged with criminal damage, and is due before city magistrates on March 7.

At the weekend, the words St James’s Park appeared again underneath where the letters were – this time in black paint.

Fans were left fuming when the metal lettering was removed as part of a controversial move by owner Mike Ashley to rename the Magpies’ ground the Sports Direct Arena.

The name which has been in place long before Newcastle United moved there in 1892.

Former Toon chairman Sir John Hall said the change of name "was sure to upset supporters".

He should know ... back in 1997 he came up with a hairbrained plan to leave St James' Park and share with the Mackems at a new 80,000 seater stadium he planned to build at Washington!

And we all know what we told him to do with that idea!