10 Embarrassments That Made Newcastle A Laughing Stock

4. The Sports Direct Arena

Whenever anyone asks without a vested interest in Newcastle asks a fan to explain - in layman's terms - exactly why Mike Ashley is so hated, it's hard not to reel off a list of things that most football fans tolerate (and which Newcastle fans have tolerated before). But the issue that is the hardest to take - and perhaps the hardest to understand - is the lack of respect shown to the heritage and legacy of the club. As a businessman - especially one not from the region - every move that Ashley makes looks like a cynical money grab even more so than the worst moments of Freddy Shepherd's misguided leadership of the club. At least Shepherd appeared to be a fan though: Ashley's actions always look like no more than an extension of his Sports Direct management. And then, to crown those fears, Ashley unthinkably stole the name of Newcastle's stadium away and replaced it with the bargain basement Sports Direct Arena title that had Newcastle fans up in arms and Sunderland fans rolling around with glee.