Trotters in a fix: Bolton may have to rename their stadium as Reebok prepare to pull out

22 January 2009 19:15
Identity crisis: Reebok are set to move their headquarters away from Bolton. A spokesman for Reebok's parent company Adidas, said: 'It is a proposal at this stage, but it is our intention to relocate the offices based at the Reebok Stadium to adidas offices in Stockport, with some workers being offered a transfer to the global group HQ in Canton, near Boston, Massachusetts.' Redundancies will be part of the move, but the company said it would not speculate about how many staff would be affected. Reebok leases 42,000 sq ft of space over three floors at Reebok Stadium's north stand from which it runs its marketing, sales and product departments. Reebok wants to relocate sales and marketing staff responsible for the UK and Ireland to offices in Stockport, and the product development team to the USA. Adidas took over Reebok in 2006 but kept both names as two separate brands. The company spokesman said: 'The idea is to get the staff working together at the same locations but keep the separate brands.   More... Footballers' Drives: Sportsmail's guide to the Premier League stars and their cars Shittu is ready to move on after admitted he wishes he hadn't joined Bolton BOLTON WANDERERS FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE NET 'One of the reasons is that we need to make sure that, over the long term, the Reebok name is taken forward in a very strong way. 'The plan is currently in the consultation process and we will be holding one-to-one interviews with all staff. 'This has not been an easy decision, but we are handling it in the best way we can.' President and chief executive of Reebok International Ulrich Becker said: 'We hope to assist as many employees as possible in obtaining new positions within the Adidas Group. 'These actions will help to not only make Reebok a more flexible, efficient organisation but also ensure there is a strong foundation upon which it can grow and once again succeed. We would like to publicly thank our employees for their continued dedication and support during this challenging period.' A spokesman for Bolton Wanderers' stadium, said: 'We have a long term lease agreement with Reebok which runs over several years and it's up to them to come to us and negotiate with us regarding their plans.' So what do you think Bolton's new stadium should be called if they have to rename it? Send your suggestions to us in the comments section below. Here's a few to get you started... The StyThe JJO Stadium (in tribute to Jay Jay Okocha)The Big Sam ArenaThe Lancashire Hot-PotThe Meg-adromeThe Kickitlong stadiumThe BreezeblockThe Greater Manchester Arena  

Source: Daily_Mail