It seems to us that a lot of thinking went into the announcement of the Wonga sponsorship deal that was announced earlier today, and one of the surprises – a pleasant one – was that Wonga have bought the naming rights to the stadium and will rename it St. James’ Park – that sounds familiar.
What Demba Ba will look like in new Womba shirt
Assuming he’s still at Newcastle in August of course
A press conference was held to announce the deal, although no financial details were released – but it’s a double deal by Wonga for both the strips and the naming rights.
This is what Derek Llambias had to say about the deal:
“We are building a club that can regularly compete for top honours at the highest level.” “As everyone knows, a strong commercial program is vital to this goal and I am delighted to welcome Wonga into the fold as our lead commercial partner, alongside Puma and Sports Direct.”
“Throughout our discussions Wonga’s desire to help us invest in our young playing talent, the local community and new fan initiatives really impressed us and stood them apart from other candidates.”
Errol Damelin, who is the founder of Wonga released some specific briefing points about the company, and he had this to say on the naming rights part of the new deal:
“The company were never interested in having the naming rights for themselves. It’s not what the fans would have wanted, and in the end football is mostly about the fans.” “This is the only way the fans could have got the name back and I’m proud to have been able to do it.”
And there’s news that Wonga want to invest in the local community and they also will invest “at least” £1.5M” in the Newcastle Youth Academy and the Foundation Enterprise Scheme.
From what we can tell this is an excellent deal – financially – the club has made with Wonga.
And Wonga will be providing half-time entertainment during matches at the newly named St. James Park (what a weird statement that is), and they will launch community outreach projects, which will include jobs skills courses and entrepreneurship classes.
And the really good news is that that the James’ Park signs will be put back in place in the next day or two.
Yeah!!
Comments welcome.
512 comments so far
Billythefish
Oct 9, 2012 at 7:21 PM
Comment #81It’s all about money and growing the club commercially.Name change back to st James park great, but no ones said anything about sports direct being removed from all over the stadium, my guess is it stays, Ashley still gets free advertising, wonga gets expensive advertising, and the ground reverts back to it’s correct name to appease the fans. Ashley is a genius.
Dannyo
Oct 9, 2012 at 7:22 PM
Comment #82@Solano
Hehe, good point 🙂
How about creating a forum for NUFC fans? Helping kids at the academy?
Investing in the foundation the club runs?
That’ll help allot of kids 🙂
toonarmydownsouth
Oct 9, 2012 at 7:22 PM
Comment #83Dannyo
No worries i see what you mean now, its been an exhausting day on here like!!
Tsunki
Oct 9, 2012 at 7:22 PM
Comment #84davybtoon – I enjoy your posts and you make sense so it pains me to say this but virtually everything you said @39 & 67 was crass and smug. Glad you managed your debt scrape ok but dont patronise those who dont manage so well. And its totally hypocritical to come on and moralise about people who have morals. OK, you have your view and see Wonga as nice payday loan people who oil the wheels, fair enough, you carry on with that thought, I dont mind and I wont pull you up about it. But dont tell me what my ethics should be either.
Carryingcoals
Oct 9, 2012 at 7:24 PM
Comment #85sage
what about banks and credit card lenders etc – they are no different. Both lend money to the poor and charge more to receive it back.
wonga being on the shirts raises their brand awareness, they have the purpose of lending money for a week or so to people who urgently need it. They want to become the first money lender that you think of when you need one.
People know what they’re getting themselves in for when they use them.
If people lend from the banks they can be equally as bad in charging interest.
There are tons out there taking advantage of people. We re now associated with one but we have been in the past as many clubs are currently and have been too.
Dannyo
Oct 9, 2012 at 7:25 PM
Comment #86@tads
On here and twitter.
A keyboard warriors day is never boring, lol.
GeordieTwo
Oct 9, 2012 at 7:26 PM
Comment #87“We are building a club that can regularly compete for top honours at the highest level.” More drivel from Llambias. What ambition did we show in the summer window? We were outspent by almost every other Prem club. We didn’t get the CB the manager said we needed. We didn’t sign the RB we were after and Simpson is still unsigned. We continue to have a lack of depth at striker. We sold and released more players than we brought in even though we have a very thin squad as far as talent is concerned. Talk is cheap Llambias.
Carryingcoals
Oct 9, 2012 at 7:26 PM
Comment #88I don’t like the fact we will be closely linked but we are and it has done good for the club. I don’t see it as such an abhorrent thing as many seem to.
Schwefelberg
Oct 9, 2012 at 7:27 PM
Comment #89Its cynical. They pick a region on its knees. A region that given so much and never asked for repayment.
Vultures belong in the savannah not with us.
beefman13
Oct 9, 2012 at 7:27 PM
Comment #90Shwerf, i dont give a toss if they are from mars, money for us as club, are you a footie fan or a priest.
there is serious bad shit going on all over the world dont thinklfor one minute that i care who wants to put millions in to our club and give us our beloved name back.
MagpiesFlyHigh
Oct 9, 2012 at 7:28 PM
Comment #91Super Magpie
Yes, there is an anthology of Kets posts called
“The wit and wisdom of Stefan Ketsbaia9”.
I quote from it quite frequently. It is a large but very repetitive file with many inconsistencies on signings but very consistent on the hate figures and need to spend £40-60m to buy a new team.
On Wonga…
Some seriously aggressive and sanctimonious blogging on here and then Ruddy comes back to save us all from ourselves or “prevent melt down'” or whatever.
If any of us could have picked a sponsor would it have been Wonga ? Be honest lads….
The deal seems okay but is what has been released all true ?
I said previously that I would not buy a Wonga replica shirt. I’ll probably get a classic with a blue star on it next time instead.
The re-renaming is a PR stunt and does not merit serious comment.
Anyone who wants to put the words ‘business together with ‘ethics’ just understand the system we have now. I’d have preferred the Co-op or Nationwide but as I’m not going to buy a shirt I really don’t care that much.
So many big egos on here battling it out ….. can’t see much reason to carry on posting.. as the chances of a fun stimulating debate or bit of banter have receded recently, but I’ll reserve judgement for now.
Carryingcoals
Oct 9, 2012 at 7:29 PM
Comment #92Can someone explain this idea of the forum to me a bit clearer please. What does it realistically mean? Are Wonga going to listen to fans’ views and then try and establish closer links to the community?
Sounds good in theory but can you see this having any real, positive effect?
beefman13
Oct 9, 2012 at 7:30 PM
Comment #93GEORDIE TWO WE WERE OUTSPENT BY MOST IN LAST SEASONS TRANSFER WINDOW BUT ENDED UP 1 MIN AWAY FROM THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE, WE HAVE THE JANUARY WINDOW TO COME, FOR GOD SAKE STOP BLEETING ON ABOUT THE TRANSFER WINDOW IT IS FRIGAN GONE DONE AND DUSTED JUST GIVE OVER!
davybtoon
Oct 9, 2012 at 7:30 PM
Comment #94Tsunki – everything about wonga is wrong but they are not breaking the law n at the end of the day they don’t force ppl to take there loans
I just find very hypocritical that fans are acting so concerned about that use wonga yet show absolutely no concern for family’s who were kicked out there homes by northern rock or for ppl who have debt collectors sent to there doors by banks like virgin n northern rock
MagpiesFlyHigh
Oct 9, 2012 at 7:31 PM
Comment #95*’ business’ with ‘ethics’ just doesn’t…. oops
Carryingcoals
Oct 9, 2012 at 7:33 PM
Comment #96davybtoon
Exactly, it is legal. That’s a fair point.
Thump
Oct 9, 2012 at 7:33 PM
Comment #97My simple message to ppl who need loans like this is manage your god dam money better n you wouldn’t need these loans
Cheers for that bit of life advice, davy. I’ll be sure to follow your words of wisdom in future when I apply for a mortgage.
toonarmydownsouth
Oct 9, 2012 at 7:35 PM
Comment #98Thump
I have a mortgage but now your telling me thats a form of loan? Thats it im selling never again will i get myself in to such debt!!
Super Magpie
Oct 9, 2012 at 7:35 PM
Comment #99Magflyhigh
Sounds about right regarding Kets. 😀
On Wonga
We can’t choose the sponsor, if we had all a choice I think most people would be arguing who should sponsor us. All we can ask for is a good financial deal and for the money to be put into the club. That is what we are getting. We also have SJP back so the sponsorship deal itself is very good. It’s Wonga themselves who are getting stick and rightfully so too.
beefman13
Oct 9, 2012 at 7:36 PM
Comment #100Davey lad im sorry but not everything is wrong with wonga, they offer a service as credit card companies do, it is a very valuable service for lots of folk as well.
a lot of people are hopeless with money there is a service with wonga that gives them a bit of leeway until payday the vast majority pay back on time and even if you cant get in touch and they sort something out without having to pay the massive interest payments for being a month late, its the choice of the person borrowing the money the way they want to go.
Schwefelberg
Oct 9, 2012 at 7:36 PM
Comment #101Beefman you have a tiny brain tonight.
Be the best you can!
Dont invite vultures to have dinner with you.
If you want see your friends milked then this is sad.
Thump
Oct 9, 2012 at 7:38 PM
Comment #102@toonarmydownsouth: I can offer you a fixed repayment plan at 3047% APR. Are you interested?
GeordieTwo
Oct 9, 2012 at 7:39 PM
Comment #103All those capital letters are very impressive beefman13 @93. Am I supposed to read your post in a very loud voice? It’s called an opinion. That’s what blogs are full of in case you haven’t noticed. Prepare yourself to read many more, and I’m sure you’ll disagree with some of them. I happen to think Llambias belongs in the twit of the month club. If you like him that’s fine by me. Let’s see how many of those top honours we actually win with him as managing director. Relax and enjoy the debate :).
toonarmydownsouth
Oct 9, 2012 at 7:39 PM
Comment #104Thump
Sold!
beefman13
Oct 9, 2012 at 7:39 PM
Comment #105Super magpie you say in one breath they have given us a good deal and in the next breath they are taking stick and rightly so.
talk about biting the hand that feed you.
We have SJP back they did not have to do that.
beefman13
Oct 9, 2012 at 7:42 PM
Comment #106Geordie two, back in europe is a very big honour as it was over 38 games and proved we are one of the best.
Players bought by this regime.
Super Magpie
Oct 9, 2012 at 7:43 PM
Comment #107Beefman
Changing the name back to SJP is a very good on getting the fans onside. If they hadn’t I’m sure a lot of us would be changing our views on the new sponsorship deal, including me.
Pushy Pardew
Oct 9, 2012 at 7:44 PM
Comment #108Transfer Sage
Ibiza and Ian toon usually back Ashley but not when they don’t agree with him . That’s my point with the semi retired Ruddy. Judge actions on merit not have a them and us mentality. Wonga haven’t had any state bailouts, no bailouts by Middle Eastern hedge funds that are fraudulent.
It’s not illegal but they are a despicable company but were not planning to take money from a corrupt dictatorship or a ruler from a country with a bad human rights record. . From a business perspective it makes sense for both parties. But it leaves a bad taste in the mouth. But it’s not just a question of supporting or not supporting Ashley. Finally Ibiza- let’s have your untainted view you can take political correctness too far, mate.
beefman13
Oct 9, 2012 at 7:47 PM
Comment #109Shwerf, if you are being given things you are not being milked,
we have just been given a shit load of money and our great name back.
i go to the match i concentrate watching the football played on it, they get my season ticket money i get entertained hopefully.
i am more than happy were NUFC is at the moment.
if you are not then indeed you are in the church or some other ethical orginisation! you sound far to pompous to be football fan to be honest get yousrslf on question time with all th the ethical mp`s
solano
Oct 9, 2012 at 7:49 PM
Comment #110beef…even if your morally thin view on the world outside football is acceptable, I don’t think it is enough just to accept incoming cash without seeing where it will be specifically allocated. Noises from the club previously, have indicated sponsor money went to the here and now of our meagre transfer kitty – I believe Virgins 1st chque helped pay for Cisse, for example. Noises of Academy and Community investment in this new deal, whilst sounding very admirable, can turn into white elephants and blackholes!
Customers/fans want to see further improvement on the 1st team pitch as well – and not many share your trust of what our MD will do with it.
GeordieTwo
Oct 9, 2012 at 7:50 PM
Comment #111Ok beefman13 @106, I’m happy to see us in Europe as well although only winning the Europa League would be a top honour to me not just competing in it. They have brought in some good players mainly thanks to excellent scouting by Carr but I have always been troubled by the combination of Ashley and Llambias. I still hope for some silverware though as I’m not getting any younger and was just a lad when we won the Fairs Cup.
spitfire_
Oct 9, 2012 at 7:50 PM
Comment #112So many times i said “Wonga” today that expect to wake up in the mid of the night all sweaty and screaming “wongaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa”… lol
tenpointnine
Oct 9, 2012 at 7:51 PM
Comment #113Lee Ryder on Talksport NOW re Wonga
Super Magpie
Oct 9, 2012 at 7:51 PM
Comment #114Beefman
Also, why are raging at everyone who doesn’t agree with you?
I think you need to realise that everyone has their opinions,which is the entire point of the blog. If everyone agreed on everything, the world would be a boring place.
Schwefelberg
Oct 9, 2012 at 7:54 PM
Comment #115Pushy is right.
Look,, how many “Pay Day” loan companies do you think there are in Germany and Scandinavia???
Answer, not many because they have econmoie that work, not designed to have somebody with their boot on your throat.
Normally you want to keep away from these vultures.
beefman13
Oct 9, 2012 at 7:54 PM
Comment #116SUPER, are you a normal lad watches footie sport in general pulls his plonker every now and then likes a few jars every now and then/
been to church recently expressed many ethical views before this dea, probably not, all of a sudden we are dealing with dispicable people who just feed like sharks on bits of tuna.
To many people getting on the high ground concerning wonga ,beacuse normally the average bloke in the street has virtually no ethics what to speak of at all, its football n beer or women most the time to be fair isnt it.
Carryingcoals
Oct 9, 2012 at 7:54 PM
Comment #117I’ve tuned in to talksport.
Still don’t like Ryder
Toon Tang
Oct 9, 2012 at 7:54 PM
Comment #118am i reading everything that i just read, right ??
Carryingcoals
Oct 9, 2012 at 7:55 PM
Comment #119Actually I’d highly recommend you guys should listen in on this
Pushy Pardew
Oct 9, 2012 at 7:55 PM
Comment #120It’s about time the Premier League introduced a fit and proper sponsorship test. Football sold it’s soul a long time ago and Wonga sponsorship seems par for the course but i don’t condone their involvement with my club. Mind you wasn’t it Barclays that were involved in LIBOR rate fixing.
There is a lot of hypocrisy in football and not just on here.