THE renaming of Ross County FC’s home ground from Victoria Park to the Global Energy Stadium has, it’s fair to say, proved a talking point since the surprise announcement was made last week.
The reaction from fans, who have shown their passion over the issue online, has been sharply divided.
The new name, announced in the wake of a major £1.7 million close-season upgrade to bring it up to SPL standards, incorporates the name of the highly successful company founded by its chairman Roy MacGregor, who bankrolled the club during its remarkable rise through the ranks.
The ground has been transformed into an impressive all-seater stadium with capacity for more than 6,000 fans.
Undersoil heating has been installed, a new pitch laid and large new car parking areas created — all in time for next month’s SPL kick-off.
Here is a cross-section of the scores of comments posted on Ross County FC’s Facebook page, which is followed by thousands of supporters, but maintained by a third party.
“Just a big fuss over not much at all.Roy’s punted plenty of dough into the club and whatever avenues he wants to explore as a way of earning more money to help the club out, all well and good. He possibly could have announced that this was probably going to happen beforehand, but whatever way it was done, you can’t please everyone. Let’s just remember at the end of the day Ross County are playing the SPL in a cracking ground.”
— James Gordon
“I was shocked at the name change, it will always be Victoria Park to the fans...now enough about that...let’s start this season now...COME ON COUNTY!”
— Alan Anderson
“A cracking wee name change to go with a cracking wee stadium... Never did like Victoria Park as a name...It sounded so old womanish.”
— Bryce Dalton
“This is the reality of life in the top flight. A season ticket only buys you right to watch football matches, not lay down club policy. Whatever the stadium is called it’s a great place to watch football.
If you can’t handle the commercialisation, go and watch Brora.”
— Malcolm Cinnamond
“Disappointing! Surely they could think of a better name than that if it had to be changed!”
— Jane York
“They should of at least consulted the fans first and got some opinions.”
— Gordon Taylor
“Has someone died? You’d think so judging by some of the comments.
It’s a small price to pay the MacGregors for all they’ve paid. Get over it.”
— Derek Manson
“Sounds like an energy drink!”
— Deborah Hill-Mackenzie
“Why not ask Global to change its name to Victoria Park Energy, keep everyone happy?”
— Claire Hannah
“I’ve grown up with Victoria Park and that’s what it will remain with me.”
— Catherine Mackay
“Disgraceful. Just reminds you that you support a business rather than a football club. Might as well change the club name to Global Energy FC or Ross Shire Tescos United.”
— Gordon Mackenzie
A Ross-shire Journal online poll, our Big Vote, invites opinion. Have your say at http://www.ross-shirejournal.co.uk/News/
See inside the Ross-shire Journal for John MacLeod's take on the situation in his Sports View column
