STADIUM NAME GOES TO VOTERS

30 July 2005

White Rock or not White Rock? That is the question being asked of sports fans following the controversy over the naming of the new stadium at Morfa.

Two weeks ago it was revealed that the newly constructed £27 million home of the Ospreys and Swansea City was to be named The New Stadium Swansea.

Stadium managers insist the bland name was chosen so as not to deter potential sponsors who might be discouraged from backing a stadium with a strong, established name.

But the decision was greeted with disappointment by fans of the two teams, who had hoped it would be named White Rock.

An internet and texting poll organised by the Evening Post shows an overwhelming number of fans are behind the White Rock name.

Out of 148 texts sent in by supporters, 112 are back White Rock.Online, so far there have been 597 votes for White Roc, 23 for the New Stadium and 148 votes for various other names.

The team behind Swans fanzine A Touch Far Vetched has also organised an online poll to determine whether White Rock really is the people's favourite.

The poll will run for one week only to provide a test of how popular the name is - and to determine whether supporters believe it would be a deterrent to potential supports.

John Davies, of internet company Bluesky Media which established the website, said: "The stadium has always been known as White Rock, and while we appreciate the logic of a clean name, we have taken an historical perspective of what the market expects. Creating a strong identity is synonymous with this prestigious new venue and is paramount to its success.

"We welcome the views of the general public as to what The New Stadium Swansea should really be called. And we are pleased to provide the people of Swansea with a way of expressing their views.

"When the poll closes next week, the results will be collected and analysed before being passed onto Stadium management company StadCo.

The poll ends on Thursday and can be accessed by visiting http://www.bluesky-media.net/vote