Source: Daily_Mail
We won't sell our heritage, insist Liverpool and Manchester United: Nick Harris
In the wake of the disdain directed at Newcastle United for renaming St James' Park the Sports Direct Arena, Liverpool and Manchester United executives have told Inside Sport that they have categorically ruled out EVER selling naming rights to Anfield and Old Trafford.[LNB]Such a firm stance from the Premier League's two most marketable clubs suggests that either Liverpool and United feel naming rights are a shoddy betrayal of a club's fans and traditions or they realise there is no significant cash value in rebranding an historic venue. [LNB]Ian Ayre, Liverpool's managing director, said: 'We have no intention of exploring naming rights for Anfield. It has been a name deeply ingrained in our ground and our club for more than 100 years and I can't imagine any Liverpool fan calling the current stadium anything else.[LNB] Out of toon: Rebranding St James' Park struck a bad note with Newcastle fans[LNB]'That's different in a new-build stadium as it's a new start and a new proposition, and we are actively talking to potential naming partners for a new stadium [if that happens], but we have never considered renaming our spiritual home of Anfield.' [LNB]A spokesman for United said: 'There is no chance of a naming rights deal at Old Trafford. It's not going to happen.' [LNB]Meanwhile, with regards to Chelsea, where chief executive Ron Gourlay said last week he expects a naming rights deal at Stamford Bridge to be in place before next season, I can reveal the club have already turned down 'unsuitable' offers, believed to have come from firms tabling 'tacky' proposals.[LNB]Sources insist that if and when Chelsea do a deal, the name Stamford Bridge will be retained, alongside the sponsor's name. [LNB]The search for that partner and the inevitable scoffing it will elicit suggests Chelsea are not leaving the Bridge any time soon. If they were, the brickbats almost certainly wouldn't be worth the trouble.[LNB] More from Nick Harris... Nick Harris: Spot-fixing enemies Butt and Asif are forced to share a cell05/11/11 Nick Harris: Rangers' future in jeopardy over taxman's ?49m claim29/10/11 Nick Harris: Bevan backtracks over his 'closed shop' claim22/10/11 Nick Harris: Offshore betting loophole sparks 2012 corruption fear08/10/11 NICK HARRIS: How long will Lineker put up with slog of the day?01/10/11 Nick Harris: Ferdinand loses his identity in country house mystery24/09/11 Nick Harris: Shamed O'Connor at same clinic as Tiger in battle with booze17/09/11 Nick Harris: Britain takes gold when it comes to testing for drugs03/09/11 VIEW FULL ARCHIVE A bankers' bonus up for goal No 20,000?The Premier League and sponsors Barclays are pondering how to mark the scoring of the 20,000th goal in the competition's history. [LNB]With 19,849 goals so far in the League's 19-and-a-bit seasons, goal number 20,000 is expected some time in the week before Christmas. [LNB]The 15,000th goal by Fulham's Moritz Volz in December 2006 was rewarded with a ?15,000 cheque for charities of the German's choice. [LNB]Whether these financially straitened times will allow for a repeat gesture remains to be seen. [LNB]Certainly the League's chief executive, Richard Scudamore, may have other economic matters on his mind on Monday as he launches a charity initiative at No 11 Downing Street with the Chancellor, George Osborne.[LNB]England hoping for an alchemical romanceEngland's hotel in Krakow for the duration of Euro 2012 is a favourite hang-out of pin-up actress Alicja Bachleda-Curus, the former partner of hell-raising Irish actor Colin Farrell. [LNB]But it is the building's association with alchemists and occultists that could provide Fabio Capello's squad with some much-needed sorcery. [LNB]The Hotel Stary is located on the same site as a gothic pile said to have been frequented in the 16th century by the Swiss alchemist Paracelsus and British occultists Edward Kelley and John Dee.[LNB] Biker: Thompson is taking on thieves[LNB]Thompson's crook lockEnglandhooker Steve Thompson, a motorbike enthusiast who relaxed during the World Cup by planning a spin on a borrowed Harley-Davidson with his now former captain, Mike Tindall, described the New Zealand tournament as 'alearning curve, a horrible one, but everyone's got to learn from it'. [LNB]TheWasps star has certainly learned a different lesson from another recentsetback having his treasured ?11,000 Triumph Street Triple nicked. [LNB]He reported the theft to police but the bike has not been traced. [LNB]Soon his new machine he has installed a Bike Trac gadget that alerts him if the bike is stolen and provides tracking to allow it to be traced. [LNB]Ifthe knowledge that Thommo's machine is rigged doesn't deter thieves, the prospect of a 6ft 2in, 18st unit turning up to retrieve it should.[LNB] Ashley faces big task persuading fans stadium-name sale will help club join elite Macdonald hits out at St James' Park rebranding: The new name is crass and an insult [LNB]
