Lee looks forward

Reporter: Matthew Chambers
Date published: 31 October 2014


ATHLETIC decided to rename Boundary Park to move the club forward, says manager Lee Johnson.

He discussed the £1million SportsDirect.com deal in an interview with the Daily Record in Scotland.

Sports Direct supremo Mike Ashley recently made a power-grab at Rangers, sparking concerns north of the border. For Johnson, Athletic’s link with Newcastle owner Ashley has been wholly beneficial.

“Our chairman Simon Corney has strong links with Ashley. They are good friends and the arrangement suits both parties,” Johnson said.

“Our stadium is now called the SportsDirect.com Park and the money that has generated has gone towards the new stand, while Sports Direct have taken over the distribution of merchandise.

“I think fans realise it was done for the right reasons.

“There are people who have gone for years and for them it will always be Boundary Park. But we have to move forward and if it gives clubs a chance to progress and fans a better match-day experience it doesn’t matter what the ground is called.”

Johnson’s hope is that new revenue from the North Stand will boost the player budget: “It’s not fully up and running yet, but hopefully in the next three to six months it will help me build a squad.”