Newcastle boss Alan Pardew held his first press conference on Thursday since the club's announcement that they are to press ahead with controversial plans to sell the naming rights to their stadium, which in the meantime will be referred to as the Sports Direct Arena rather than St James' Park. Pardew admitted he understood the outcry which followed from certain quarters, but insisted nothing substantial will change.
He said: "For the traditionalists amongst our fans, I think it's something they are upset at.
"But it is still in the same place and it's still the Gallowgate End and we still have your tradition of walking to the stadium from the centre of town. It's there where it is.
"On the other side of the coin, of course, commercially, it will attract a big sponsor, we hope, and give us extra revenue to go forward.
"I can understand the arguments on both sides. For me and the playing staff, of course, it is our home and we love playing there.
"We have done very, very well there this season and we hope to continue that and really, it hasn't affected us too much if I am honest.
"Clubs have to move on and I hope our fans understand that. But they will still be in their same seats roaring us on.
"The memories of that stadium are still there, and that's important. When you move grounds, that's a little bit different."
