Stadium naming rights...

[RobYeltz]

I'm wondering how Yeltz fans would feel about this?

http://www.evostikleague.co.uk/stadium- ... ers-22112/

Ossett Town have agreed a deal for their stadium to be called the '4G Voice and Data Stadium'. No mention of how much they will gain from it, but how would Yeltz fans feel about The Grove being called something other than the The Grove?

[Noggin]

Probably of greater importance would be the opinion of the James Grove Trust who actually own the ground.

[Wheels]

a tricky one I can't see a change being particularly popular as the name the grove has a history and is connected to the adjacent button factory. Also if I recall correctly the ground was given to the community by the button factory for sport and recreation use. So if a name change were ever to be proposed it may well cause something of an outcry with a body such as the grove trust. But then again if it were definitely of obvious benefit to the club who knows.

[beastyyeltz]

I would not like our fortress being called anything but 'The Grove'. Not only is it a part of our clubs identity but also links in with the history within out town which I think is important. Also I'd hate to sound like sell outs with a stadium name with a sponsor. Look at, for example, stadiums such as The Etihad, The Emirates, Sports Direct Arena, the IPro stadium and the King Power stadium. Doesn't have the same ring as a traditional stadium name does it?

[RobYeltz]

Probably of greater importance would be the opinion of the James Grove Trust who actually own the ground.

I'd like to hear their opinion as well but doubt they use the forum so I'll happily settle for the thoughts of Yeltz fans.

[andy]

We would all be up in arms until we saw the colour of the money. Would Man City fans return to the 3rd tier dark days for the sake of a name change?(more convoluted than that, I know). But money talks.

[RaidenYeltz]

I wouldn't care. It's a name used for marketing. For a set period.

I, the fans and anyone associated with the club would call it and know it as The Grove.

[watsisnerm]

the club had a much needed fund boost when changing the HOME kit to the colours of 'hammer ford' (yellow and black)it was hard to take but clubs need money! we still shouted 'come on you blues' at every match though (probably more than we did before!) and it did lead to the 'yellow submarine' song (one of my favourites which could still be used at most away games... )
simple solution really...find a company called 'grove' to sponsor the ground?!

[yeltz85]

Tricky one isn't it really. How about, The Grove - in association with ...........

Then would still be known as the Grove, but would enable sponsorship elsewhere around the ground and on the web etc.

[Noggin]

Tricky one isn't it really. How about, The Grove - in association with ...........

Then would still be known as the Grove, but would enable sponsorship elsewhere around the ground and on the web etc.

That is the only model that I could would be acceptable to the James Grove Trust. It has the advantage of retaining the link between the Grove family name and the Halesowen area, which has now been further eroded by the sale of the factory.

A full renaming would not only remove this link, but would presumably need a re-negotiated lease on the ground with the attendant legal costs (including potentially increased ground leasing costs).

I am by no means dismissing any sort of stadium naming arrangement, but I believe that there are significant obstacles to overcome - not least finding a company who wants to stump enough to make the whole concept worthwhile.