Positive signs for Toon fans

NEWCASTLE United fans are celebrating the removal of Sports Direct from the club’s website – after confirmation that the company’s signs are being removed from St James’ Park.

Eagled-eyed Toon fans noted that Sports Direct was no longer listed alongside several other companies on the club’s website.

A snapshot from last month shows Mike Ashley’s sportswear company listed alongside 11 other companies, but now the website appears clean of any logo.

It appears to have been replaced by the firm Energy Impact.

For many, the removal of the logo from the website and stadium marks the end of Ashley’s links to the club – having sold it to a Saudibacked consortium in October, it irked many supporters that the stadium was still covered in the signs.

Co-owner Amanda Staveley admitted last month to being frustrated at the situation.

“The Sports Direct signs I’m looking forward to coming down,” she said.

“It’s a slight frustration when I go into the stadium and I try and take a picture which doesn’t have Sports Direct in it.”

Work will be going on up until the home game against Manchester City on December 19 to remove all signs.

Newcastle secured their first victory in the Premier League this season as they beat Burnley 1-0 – the first win for the new owners and new United head coach Eddie Howe.

Meanwhile, United were yesterday linked with transfer swoops for a number of players with Premier League experience.

Burnley defender James Tarkowski was once again rumoured to be heading to Tyneside but his Clarets colleague Ben Mee is another name who has been touted with a move to St James’ Park.

Juventus midfielder Aaron Ramsey has been linked with a return to Britain after a difficult time in Turin.

The Magpies and Premier League rivals Leeds are said to be interested in the Wales international, while Everton have also been credited with an interest in the former Arsenal man.

Georginio Wijnaldum was also linked with a move to Newcastle, having struggled to make an impact at Paris St Germain so far.

The Dutchman spent the 2015-16 season on Tyneside before leaving from Liverpool in a £25m deal after the Magpies were relegated.