SoL name ‘belongs to the club and fans’
SIR BOB MURRAY ON WHY HE DIDN’T SELL STADIUM’S NAMING RIGHTS
Sir Bob Murray has explained why he never considered selling naming rights to the “unique and inspirational” Stadium of Light.
Sunderland AFC chairman Stewart Donald revealed last week that the club has held talks with companies regarding naming rights of the club’s home since 1997.
With the Black Cats looking to increase revenue in order to comply with Football League financial fair play rules, the stadium name could prove a useful way to attract extra sponsorship.
Sir Bob oversaw Sunderland’s move from Roker Park to the Stadium of Light and said he had wanted a name that would be “instantly recognisable, distinctive and inspirational” and which also paid tribute to the industrial heritage supporters and the location of the stadium, on the site of the former Wearmouth Colliery.
His father was a miner at Silksworth Pit from the age of 13 before the family moved to Consett.
“I chose the connection to light for two main reasons: firstly as an ever-lasting tribute to the region’s minework- ers and proud industrial heritage and in the expectation and hope that the stadium would be a guiding light in the future,” he said.
“The name is very much a symbolic link to the thousands of miners and Sunderland supporters that emerged from the darkness and into the light every day when they returned to the surface after working in the mine.
“This is also why a Davy Lamp, which saved the lives of thousands of miners and was invented in Sunderland, is located on the approach to the stadium and the words ‘Into the Light’ also appear on the Murray Gates in front of the main reception.
“The name was also chosen in the anticipation that the stadium would be a symbol of hope for the club.
“It reflects the desire of the club and its supporters to be in the limelight and to achieve sporting success.
“In an age when so many stadium names are not distinctive or where naming rights have been sold solely for commercial reasons, the name Stadium of Light remains unique and inspirational and sets Sunderland apart.
“I chose not to sell the naming rights during my chairmanship as I felt the stadium name should belong to the club and its fans rather than a corporate entity.”
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“The name remains unique and inspirational” SIR BOB MURRAY