We Should Applaud That Man!

Last updated : 17 February 2012 By Footy Mad - Editor

Applauding graffiti is not normally the done thing ... but let's praise the fella for making a stand for 120 years of Geordie history.

On Thursday the letters were removed because of the name change to the Sports Direct Arena ... even though the ground will return to the SJP name for the Olympics in the summer.

The words "St James" were written in white paint at the ground before being removed on Friday morning.

Michael Atkinson, 29, of Hareydene, Newbiggin Hall, Newcastle, was charged with criminal damage.

He is due to appear before Newcastle Magistrates' Court on 7 March.

The graffiti was written on one of the walls at the ground below where one of the St James' Park signs had been.

Workmen later arrived to remove it.