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Graffiti vandals strike again at Newcastle United
SPRAY IT AGAIN ... a workman cleans graffiti off St James's Park for a second time in four days.
NEWCASTLE United bosses have been forced to clean up graffiti from St James’s Park for the second time since the stadium’s iconic lettering was removed.
Just hours after workers took a crowbar to historic signs last Thursday, disgruntled fan Michael Atkinson painted the name back on in white paint in protest.
The 29-year-old, of Newbiggin Hall, Newcastle, was charged with criminal damage, and is due before city magistrates on March 7.
At the weekend, the words St James’s Park appeared again underneath where the letters were – this time in black paint.
Fans were left fuming when the metal lettering was removed as part of a controversial move by owner Mike Ashley to rename the Magpies’ ground the Sports Direct Arena.
The move was announced in November, ending the use of a name which has been in place since 1892 – the year the club was founded.
As the clean-up work was being carried out, angry drivers passing the ground were heard to shout: “It’s a disgrace.”
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Weather for Jarrow
Wednesday 23 May 2012
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Temperature: 11 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North east
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Comments
There are 5 comments to this article
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Heinrich Scrotwengler von Grossteschattenburg
Monday, February 20, 2012 at 08:29 PMEeee! Please tell us it is not the same 'vandal' St. James must be spinning on his pitch.
bewilderedonlooker
Monday, February 20, 2012 at 04:00 PMit could be worse, in some sports, teams are named after the sponsor such as the Prestige Homes MK Lions a basket ball team in the BBL (if they get a different title sponsor they change thier name), imagin going to watch The Virgin Money Newcastle Magpies at the Sports Direct Areana!!
tropicalmag
Monday, February 20, 2012 at 03:07 PMI have always been anti graffiti.However I will make an exception with this.It's a protest I support.When the tacky Sports Direct sign goes up thats graffiti.
wasthatthatguy
Monday, February 20, 2012 at 11:30 AMI think it would be OK to call the stadium The Sports Direct Arena at St James' Park, which could be changed to eg The Virgin Arena at St James' Park, or anything else as any other sponsors come along.
Hebburnlee
Monday, February 20, 2012 at 10:54 AMI have a feeling this story is going to be repeated a few times!
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