Playing names

Press, 15 June 1979, Page 20

Playing names

Meanwhile the interesting question of allowing clubs to put sponsors names on playing jerseys was side-stepped at the meeting. Instead dis cussion centred on the playing names of teams, notably Trans Tours United and Hanimex United, formerly Christchurch United and North Shore. The names of the country’s leading teams will be checked for commercial content before next year’s Rothmans League competition begins. The council’s deputy chairman (Mr Charlie Dempsey) told the meeting he feared the league was becoming a commercial competition because the habit of calling a club’s first team by the name of the sponsor was spreading. “I believe we agreed in the beginning to Christ-church-Trans Tours United and Hanimex-North Shore,” he said. “We must ask ourselves if this does our game any credit, because these

sides are known as T.T.U. and Hanimex. If we allow advertising on shirts are we going to end up with a lot of names across all ,our playing gear?” The council generally felt that the habit of using sponsors names instead of club terms was disturbing, although the method used by Newmans Nelson United of identifying both the sponsor and the location was thought to be a good (olution.

The likely feelings of clubs on this matter was echoed by one councillor; Mr Graham Bilby, who said that clubs must have the right to raise money and the council should think hard before interfering with their efforts.

Under F.I.F.A. rules advertising on shirts is permitted, although the practice is not common here. However most New Zealand clubs put the sponsors name on the back of track suits worn before a game.