Shepherd blasts Ashley over stadium plans

Former Newcastle United chairman Freddy Shepherd has blasted owner Mike Ashley's decision to sell the naming rights to St James' Park, claiming that the Magpies' fans will be "horrified" by the prospect.

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Ashley revealed earlier this week he was planning to try to sell the naming rights to Newcastle's home ground after taking the club off the market, but Shepherd is furious that the plans are even being considered.

"I suppose nothing surprises me about the current regime, so news they are ready to sell the naming rights isn't exactly a shock," Shepherd said. "I appreciate we are living in a commercial world, but there are some things money can't buy.

"St James' Park is one of the most famous stadia, not just in Europe but in the world. You can go anywhere and everyone knows St James' Park is the home of Newcastle United. The two are synonymous.

"I just can't imagine St James' Park being called anything else. Whatever next? Why don't they just go the whole hog and change the name of the club itself? Fans will be horrified, angry and upset about this. They've had to put up with a lot in recent months, but this is just another blow."

Shepherd revealed he had rejected an offer of £3 million to change the name of St James' Park during his tenure in charge.

"I can remember when we had the chance to change the name of the ground when I was chairman," he said. "It was just after flotation and big-name companies were falling over themselves to get involved in football - and, back then, Newcastle were right up there with the Manchester Uniteds, Liverpools and Arsenals.

"We were offered something like £3 million for a five-year deal. The branding specialists didn't reveal the identity of the interested parties, otherwise we could just have approached the companies direct. The money could have been ten-times that and I would still not have been interested. There are some things money can't buy."