Hateley Speaking About Ibrox Name Change

[marka1979 76]

Apple aint going to touch it

Why would they?

I brox does sound good. But yeah cant see them sponsoring it

[TheBluebells 6,898]

Decent article, surprisingly.

Guess when it comes down to it money talks, im not really in favor of it though, just seems like any name change would sound cheap.

Hard to turn down big income though, especially in this country.

[Redwhiteandblue 3,330]

The Eithad was purpose built was it? Must have missed that massive knocking down of the brand new City of Manchester stadium and the building of this even brand newerer stadium. That was pretty stupid of me eh Mark?

[sprotson11 147]

I have no issue in principle for the stadium to be renamed, but I would like Ibrox still to be included.

1.5 million does seem a bit of a steal to be honest.

[BLUEDIGNITY 33,647]

'But that would be a dangerous game. These people are not dinosaurs, they are traditionalists Loyalists and right now there’s 48,000 of these traditionalists Loyalists packing out the stadium every second week.

'Nice wee bit of soft spin there Marco, who wrote this for you ? Whoever I've sorted it for you !

[Devlin 222]

Ibrox can't be renamed. It's a joke, i don't think this should even be getting looked at in the slightest and i'm not going to lie it makes me worry a wee bit about Green and how far he could be willing to go...

Is it not a bit disrespectful to whoever it was who chose the name Ibrox.. Imagine how bears that aren't with us any more would feel about this

[elephants stoned 2,994]

I am against this as i feel its a step too far, Ibrox is Ibrox and it should stay as Ibrox in the fans hearts but also in official terms. If the cash suggested is true ive read £1.5million i cant see the support being in favour of that paltry sum to change our stadium name.

[Ricky_ 893]

Hately, Green & Ashley can fuck off.

when are our fans going to start standing up for the tradtions and identities that define our great club?

Why the fuck do we need to change the stadium name? We don't need to do it to get to the top of scottish football, in terms of resources and financial pulling power we have competition from only 1 other team in the whole country. Even as it stands right now with us in the bottom tier.

Perhaps it will help in europe? No chance, need alot more than a shitty stadium-sponsor to close what is no longer a gap, but leagues, that seperate us from the Man Cities & Real Madrids of Europe.

[King Jela 20,361]

Good article.

And as far as 'name-changing' goes I am, and always will be, completely against the idea, he can even ram the suggestive 'Ibrox Sports Direct Arena' up his arse at any cost.

[The Godfather 71,874]

So many are accepting that this is the way footballs going down so that makes it ok...

Nah, not for Rangers.

Ibrox is one of the oldest and most traditional football stadia in the world today, it should not be tampered with at any cost. (and the money being mentioned is fuck all).

[Nymrod 30]

Hately, Green & Ashley can fuck off.

when are our fans going to start standing up for the tradtions and identities that define our great club?

Why the fuck do we need to change the stadium name? We don't need to do it to get to the top of scottish football, in terms of resources and financial pulling power we have competition from only 1 other team in the whole country. Even as it stands right now with us in the bottom tier.

Perhaps it will help in europe? No chance, need alot more than a shitty stadium-sponsor to close what is no longer a gap, but leagues, that seperate us from the Man Cities & Real Madrids of Europe.

My sentiments exactly..............Ibrox Then, Ibrox Now, Ibrox Forever!!

Mike Ashley. give us £1.5Million and we'll let you change SportsDirect.com to IbroxSports.com. Otherwise. get tae fcuk.

[johnw 22]

If it was to be changed then I would hope it was only for a few years, we'd all still call it ibrox and we'd generate money needed.

[The Godfather 71,874]

Rangers manager Ally McCoist believes fans should have a say in any plans to re-name Ibrox. Reports suggest Newcastle owner Mike Ashley is in talks with Light Blues chief executive Charles Green over a lucrative deal that would promote his Sports Direct retail firm with Rangers are also reportedly considering other stadium re-branding proposals.

"I can appreciate it's a really delicate issue and I would imagine it would split fan opinion," said McCoist. "I've got to be honest and say I'm pretty open-minded about it. At the same time, I definitely think the fans would certainly have to have a voice and an opinion on the final decision. We saw the reaction of the Newcastle fans when it happened down there and I'd imagine a good percentage of our support would feel the same way."

[Edmiston Drive 3,846]

Always suspicious when someone starts off by sating ..............."I've got to be honest.........................." my mind goes, so everytime you don't say this, are you being honest?

[ForeverBlue_Since91 2,895]

Theirs a number of offers on the table i just hope Apply is one of them?

I.Brox.

[The Godfather 71,874]

Apple have no interest in sponsoring football clubs stadia, why would they?

Just because it sounds fancy when you put it front of our stadiums name is not a relevant reason as to why they would even consider it given they are one of the biggest global brands around.

It aint Champ manager.

[Ricky_ 893]

Rangers manager Ally McCoist believes fans should have a say in any plans to re-name Ibrox. Reports suggest Newcastle owner Mike Ashley is in talks with Light Blues chief executive Charles Green over a lucrative deal that would promote his Sports Direct retail firm with Rangers are also reportedly considering other stadium re-branding proposals.

"I can appreciate it's a really delicate issue and I would imagine it would split fan opinion," said McCoist. "I've got to be honest and say I'm pretty open-minded about it. At the same time, I definitely think the fans would certainly have to have a voice and an opinion on the final decision. We saw the reaction of the Newcastle fans when it happened down there and I'd imagine a good percentage of our support would feel the same way."

he's already shown our traditions don't mean that much to him anyway.

[Shuggy 1,308]

Etihad, Emirates, Reebok, Sports Direct Arena, Walkers, JJB. Anyone got the full UK list?

Some "interesting" stadium name changes here. The last one takes the biscuit...

ETIHAD STADIUM

Originally the City of Manchester Stadium, Manchester City’s home was rebranded in July in a 10-year deal that included shirt sponsorship and could be worth up to £100 million.

CORAL WINDOW STADIUM

Valley Parade, historic home of Bradford City, has been through a number of guises. The Pulse Radio, Bradford and Bingley, and Intersonic stadiums have come and gone. It’s been the Coral Windows Stadium since 2007.

MATCHROOM STADIUM

Brisbane Road, homely base of Leyton Orient, received a make-over from owner Barry Hearn, who bestowed the name of his sports-promotion company on it.

ABBEY BUSINESS STADIUM

Whaddon Road was synonymous with Cheltenham Town, until a deal with local business Abbey Business Equipment in 2009. The fans still call it Whaddon Road, though.

KITKAT CRESCENT

A year after relegation from the Football League, York City supporters had to swallow the indignity of historic Bootham Crescent being renamed in a five-year deal with Nestlé. York now have Bootham back but remain in the Conference.

[simplythebest 11,453]

Ibrox can't be renamed. It's a joke, i don't think this should even be getting looked at in the slightest and i'm not going to lie it makes me worry a wee bit about Green and how far he could be willing to go...

Is it not a bit disrespectful to whoever it was who chose the name Ibrox.. Imagine how bears that aren't with us any more would feel about this

Devlin, Green's job is to run us as a successful business. If we're getting offered millions for a name of course it's going to at least be looked at.

[Ricky_ 893]

Devlin, Green's job is to run us as a successful business. If we're getting offered millions for a name of course it's going to at least be looked at.

It's not a normal business though, it's a sports team with a historic spirit and tradition.

Chelsea changed their badge under Abramovich.

Cardiff changed their colours.

Arsenal changed their stadium

Man city, Newcastle, etc... changed their stadium name.

Football used to be about clubs. Teams. Communities. The fans. Clubs had identities.

They are slowly being washed away by the capitalist nature of the sport and fans seem prepared to stand for it.

[The Godfather 71,874]

Good points Ricky but you have it wrong about Chelsea changing badge as this was done to replicate the actual original football crest of Chelsea football club so that point does not stand up.

The current badge is to replicate the clubs original bade in 1905 and the badge in 1953.

it's not just a random badge for the sake of it but rather to celebrate 100 years of the clubs existance.

[simplythebest 11,453]

It's not a normal business though, it's a sports team with a historic spirit and tradition.

Chelsea changed their badge under Abramovich.

Cardiff changed their colours.

Arsenal changed their stadium

Man city, Newcastle, etc... changed their stadium name.

Football used to be about clubs. Teams. Communities. The fans. Clubs had identities.

They are slowly being washed away by the capitalist nature of the sport and fans seem prepared to stand for it.

It's how the times are.

Fans just want to support their club but there's always limits, look at MK Dons. Personally i'd draw the line at any colour or badge rebranding.

[kingtom80 166]

NO WAY,WE MUST KEEP THE NAME IBROX,NO OTHER NAME WILL DO.

[alectrician 70]

WHAT’S in a name? A good few million quid probably.

That’s the way Charles Green appears to be thinking at any rate with the news that the Rangers chief executive is open to offers regarding a commercial re-branding of Ibrox Stadium.

And I have to say, I can’t blame him. It’s money for old rope as far as I’m concerned.

But that’s not the point. I may be fine with the idea, at least so long as the word “Ibrox” is still incorporated somewhere in any eventual title.

I get the impression Charles probably wouldn’t care if they called it the Armitage Shanks Toilet Bowl so long as the price was right. He’s a business man and money talks.

However, before he goes any further I would urge him to consult the supporters and gauge their opinion on the matter because without them there is no business at all.

To put it in boardroom speak, he has to be very careful here that he does not disenfranchise his customers. The temptation, when someone is waving a cheque for millions under your nose, is to dismiss these people as dinosaurs and to think they’ll come round in the end. To take the money and run.

But that would be a dangerous game. These people are not dinosaurs, they are traditionalists and right now there’s 48,000 of these traditionalists packing out the stadium every second week.

They have an affinity with Ibrox – a deep bond which has been established over the years. Ibrox Stadium is their home. In fact, the old place and its famous red brick facade is just about the only thing which has survived the last couple of years undamaged.

It’s more than just a big old building. It’s a symbol of strength and staying power. It is a timeless piece of history.

Craig Whyte might have kicked the guts out of Rangers Football Club but Ibrox is still standing proud as a five-star European arena which is recognised all over the football world.

So while, personally, I wouldn’t mind too much if a deal was done to rename the place, I believe it is incumbent upon Charles to get the approval of the supporters before he takes the idea any further. Before he even contemplates a change of name he had better make sure that he has their blessing.

He has already invited fans to discuss a possible change of name for Murray Park and that’s great.

But if he’s willing to listen to their opinion on what to call the training ground he had better be all ears when it comes to the stadium because this place means a great deal to a great many people.

This is where they have gone all their lives to support their team. It’s where their fathers and grandfathers stood before. You don’t treat that kind of stuff lightly as I’m sure Mike Ashley learned the last time he tried to do something like this.

Ashley had his fingers burned at Newcastle when he turned St James’ Park into the Sports Direct Arena.

The reaction down there was so dead set against the idea that, a few months later, it’s back to St James’

Park again.

I must admit I would be surprised if Green didn’t encounter an even more negative response if he tries to do away with the name of Ibrox.

This is not a purpose-built ground like the Etihad or the Emirates. This place is a part of people’s lives.

Let’s not forget, there was a disaster here that still affects many, many families here in Scotland and beyond. These people deserve to have their voices heard when it comes to making a decision like this.

And that’s why personally, as someone who can see the financial value in stadium re-branding, I would try to find a halfway house. The Ibrox Sports Direct Stadium for example. Or the Sports Direct Ibrox Arena.

Even better, Ashley could just change the name of his sportswear company to Ibrox. There you go, problem solved.

Sorry, I shouldn’t be flippant because this is serious stuff. I’m not having a pop at Green either because it’s his duty to explore every possible avenue in terms of increasing revenue for the club and this is an obvious money maker.

It seems that he really does have big plans for this football club but big plans cost big money.

As everyone knows cash is in short supply in Scottish football so the chief executive will have to think outside the box. That’s fine with me because I’m in favour of seeing Rangers moving forward.

But he must not make the mistakes of thinking he can just impose this on the supporters because he can’t. He’ll have to take them with him and that may well require all of his powers of persuasion.

There is only so much that football supporters will take and renaming a place like Ibrox is getting pretty close to the line. It’s a delicate, sensitive matter and, unless it is handled properly, it could seriously damage his relationship with the club and the fans.

It is vital they are not left feeling as if their club is selling its soul.

For example, what if Mike Ashley is willing to pump another £10million into the kitty so long as Rangers agree to wear black and white stripes next season?

That would sound utterly ridiculous if it didn’t just happen to Cardiff who, just a few months ago, changed the colour of their home shirt from blue to red on the whim of their new owners.

Now that is scary stuff when you think about how much tradition means to football supporters, especially at a club like Rangers. There is one thing that must not be forgotten by Charles when decisions of this nature are being made. It was not him who saved Rangers from extinction in the summer – it was the fans.

It was the 38,000 who paid for season tickets. It was the 48,000 who continue to pile in through the doors every match day in Division Three.

It was they who saved the club, not Charles Green.

I truly believe that Green wants to lead Rangers to a better place and I like the way he’s going about it. But it would be a mistake to think he can do it on his own.

http://www.dailyreco....angers-1464778

A quaint way of getting a product across...wonder wot his commission was?..At least he can't be accused of sitting down on the job...or can he?....

[Columbo 588]

Would prefer it remained Ibrox but I can understand the economic argument in favour of rebranding