NEWCASTLE United players and fans could soon have a new name on the front of their football shirts.

But before striker Papiss Cissé celebrates the removal of Wonga’s moniker from his ‘iconic number 9 jersey’, bosses at the payday lender have merely admitted that a rebrand is under consideration as part of efforts to rebuild the firm’s battered reputation.

After penning the four-year deal in October 2012 Derek Llambias, then managing director, outlined how Wonga’s cash would support the Magpies’ ambitions. We are building a club that can regularly compete for top honours at the highest level,” he said, in a sentence that has dated about as well as then manager Alan Pardew’s comment that: “If our fans do have any concerns maybe they should contact Blackpool supporters and see how they've done. The feeling I get is that Blackpool fans have been happy with Wonga and what they've done for the club.”

Blackpool - relegated to League One over the Easter weekend – will see its sponsorship deal with Wonga expire this summer.

From a commercial point of view you can see why Newcastle were happy to deal with Wonga. At the time its eye-watering 5,853 per cent APR was helping the short-term lender to rack up £84.5m annual profit. Good times it would seem lay ahead for Wonga, if not for any of its 30,000 North-East customers if they defaulted on loans.

But associating itself with Wonga has done nothing for Newcastle’s PR. It was a disastrous move and it would be great to see the club take the bold step of severing ties with the firm that has been riven by scandals.

They aren’t the only club to draw criticism for questionable commercial deals. Sunderland and Bolton Wanderers are among clubs happy to have agreed sponsorship deals with gambling firms, although Livingston’s deal with Intelligent Finance, which came shortly before the Scottish club went into administration, probably takes the biscuit.

I NOTED that on their leaflet seeking support in this months’ General Election Ukip in Darlington pledge to help restore the fortunes of Durham Tees Valley Airport. I am confused. Does that mean that they want more foreigners coming to this country?

ON the subject of international relations congratulations to North-East firms Oil Consultants, Advanced Industrial Solutions and Elfab who are all being presented with Queen’s Awards for export. In North Yorkshire, pipe-bending machine maker Unison Mood International Software, and training and consulting firm Primeast Limited, were also honoured for their international trade achievements.

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