Rugby League side Castleford Tigers have announced a new name for their stadium – the Mend-A-Hose Jungle.
The club’s current shirt sponsors, Mend-A-Hose Hydraulics, who according to their website service, stock and market the widest range of fluid connector products available, have bought the naming rights to the stadium for the 2014 Super League season.
The ground, which is currently called the Wish Communications Stadium, was formerly known as The Jungle after a successful commercial partnership with a sponsoring website.
Still standing: The stadium was first known as Wheldon Road
Ridiculous name: Castleford will play at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle next season
Mend-A-Hose have decided to reinstate the word Jungle to the stadium’s name, a move designed to appease Tigers fans who may be less than impressed with yet another corporate title.
Castleford Tigers Commercial Director Mark Grattan said: ‘As part of our search for a new stadium naming rights sponsor, we were looking for somebody who shared our desire to reinstate the name “The Jungle”, a hugely popular name amongst our fans, and we are absolutely delighted that Mend-A-Hose wanted the same.’
John Duff, Managing Director of Mend-A-Hose added: ‘We wanted to bring ‘The Jungle’ back to Castleford because, as fans ourselves, we know how fond fans are of that name and are delighted that we can be part of bringing the good times back to the Tigers.’
Stunt: British sprinter Dwain Chambers poses inside Castleford’s ground ahead of a one-month trial in 2008
The new name has received a mixed response among Cas fans, with some pleased about the incoming cash and others disappointed with the lack of tradition.
Writing on the club’s popular fan site casforum.co.uk, a user called fenton wrote: ‘Hope the money made from this sponsorship makes up for the total embarresement of a stadium name. Seriously, who comes up with this stuff !?’
But big-fish89 had a more positive outlook on the Mend-A-Hose Jungle, writing: ‘Would just like to say thank you to mend a hose for putting the extra and much needed cash in to the club. Personally it doesn’t matter to me what the ground is called as long as it brings revenue in to the club then i’m happy.’
Make a wish: Tigers Daryl Clark and his team-mates take on Bradford Bulls at the Wish Communications Stadium
Castleford aren’t the only sports team to have sold out when it comes to stadium naming rights.
Newcastle United fans were up in arms when owner Mike Ashley turned St James’ Park into the Sports Direct Arena in 2011, promoting the company which helped make him his fortune.
Fortunately for the Geordies, new shirt sponsor Wonga restored the previous name as part of their long-term sponsorship of the club agreed earlier this year.
Back to normal: St James’ Park has reverted back to its original name but is still covered in Sports Direct banding
Unpopular decision: Mike Ashley briefly renamed St James’ Park the Sports Direct Arena
American sports teams are notorious for their commercial activities, particularly when it comes to naming stadia.
Among the worst in the US are KFC Yum! Center, home of the University of Louisville’s men’s and women’s basketball teams, the Dunkin’ Donuts Center, home of the Providence Bruins ice hockey team and Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, the stadium for MLS side Colorado Rapids.
While the less said about the New Hampshire Fisher Cats’ Northeast Delta Dental Stadium, the better.
Naming wrongs: Dick’s Sporting Goods Park hosts Colorado Rapids v Columbus Crew in 2012
Tasty: The Louisville Cardinals take on the Ohio Bobcats at the impressive KFC Yum! Center
Slam dunkin’: Dunkin’ Donuts sponsor the home of the Providence Friars in Rhode Island
Away from the dodgy sponsorship deals, some clubs have ended up with odd stadium names out of choice.
Swiss side Young Boys play at the Wankdorf Stadium in Bern, while the Kuntz Memorial Stadium in Indianapolis used to host women’s football matches in the US.
Danish football club Middelfart unsurprisingly play at the Middelfart Stadium, with Austrian side Sturm Graz once naming their ground after movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger for a short period.
Start with a bang: The rebuilt Wankdorf Stadium is opened in 2005
Mend-A-Hose Jungle... yes, that really is the latest shocking stadium name
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