St James' Park name back at Newcastle United after sign removed

The sign's removal means the stadium's name will revert back to St James' Park

Newcastle United's Sports Direct sign has been taken down after a new sponsorship deal was agreed.

It comes after loans firm Wonga, the club's new sponsor, said the stadium would revert back to being called St James' Park.

Last November, many supporters were outraged when the outgoing sponsors re-named it the Sports Direct Arena.

The ground was targeted by vandals who sprayed the old name back on to the club wall.

As well as buying the naming rights to the stadium, Wonga will also sponsor the club's shirts next season and has promised to invest £1.5m in the club's academy.

But the deal was criticised by Newcastle City Council's Labour leader Nick Forbes, who said Wonga should put money into debt advice in Newcastle.

The club said the St James' Park sign would be back in place in time for Sunday's Tyne and Wear derby between Newcastle and Sunderland.