Sports Direct Arena Or St James' Park ... Think About It!

Last updated : 16 July 2014 By Footy Mad - Editor

... their Newcastle United shirt sponsorship deal - but the company say they are committed to the club.

Wonga took out the deal and changed the stadium name back to St James' Park.

The question is - would leaving NUFC without a sonsor change how Wonga work?

The finance firm’s new chairman Andy Haste announced on Monday he would be reviewing the company’s advertising and marketing “to make sure that we don’t leave any impression that we are trying to influence or target the very young”.

But some MPs want and end to Wonga’s partnership with NUFC.

Wonga: “We continue to be proud sponsors of Newcastle United FC.

“Our new chairman, Andy Haste, was commenting on our general marketing approach - he did not make any direct comment on our sponsorship of the club.”

Gateshead Mp Ian Mearns said: “If Wonga express an interest in disassociating themselves because of a duty to young fans in their new business model then I’d hope Mike Ashley would let them out of their contract and find a new sponsor.

“But it will depend on what Wonga are contractually obliged to do in terms of the longevity of their sponsorship deal.

“It might be very difficult to extricate themselves from it.”

Newcastle Central MP Chi Onwurah: “The idea that Wonga is not targeting children when its logo is emblazoned across toddlers throughout Tyneside would be laughable were it not so serious.

“I look forward to a day when Newcastle United’s sponsors are not a source of shame for so many fans, until then I will not be attending matches at the stadium.”