West Midlands football stadium renamed ‘The Diary of a Debt Collector’ in 'unusual and unappealing' choice
A video shows a sign outside a West Midlands football ground displaying its new name ‘The Diary of a Debt Collector Stadium’.
A non-league football club now has a sponsorship deal with a debt recovery firm - renaming their ground ‘The Diary of a Debt Collector Stadium’.
Worcester Raiders FC have moved from their original Sixways Stadium for the upcoming 2025/26 season.
The Claines Lane ground in the city has now been renamed after the appointment of Adam Heighway, CEO of debt collection firm The Diary of a Debt Collector Ltd.
Mr Heighway has joined the club as a non-executive board member.
Football fans in the city have been dumbfounded by the name change and have taken to forums to express their views.
Councillor Mel Allcott
Councillor and former mayor Mel Allcott says she feels the name is an unusual and unappealing choice that is "very distant from football."
She said: "It is an unusual name to choose for a stadium. It doesn't exactly roll off the tongue easily.
"The people of Claines may be slightly bemused. Obviously Worcester City football club have moved away from there now so I can see a reason for a name change but I think the people of Claines might find it slightly bemusing.
"I think people will not remember it either. It would have been nice if they kept it linked to Claines, I think people will still call it Claines Lane.
"I am not in support of the name, it would not be my choice. It just doesn't sound very appealing and feels very distant from football."
Raiders fan Ben Stevens
Fans have also expressed their opposition to the new name.
Dad-of-two Ben Stevens, 40, said: “We’ll be called Bailiff FC at this rate, it's madness.
“I hate the stadium name, it reeks of blaming poor people for getting into debt.
“Football is a working class sport and fans don’t usually have much money to spend on it.
“Having the words 'Debt Collector Stadium' emblazoned all over the ground will bring the mood down. It’s depressing.”
Raiders chairman Steve Harris
Raiders chairman Steve Harris said: "We’re delighted to welcome the Diary of a Debt Collector team on board.
“Their ethos around recovery, accountability, and community perfectly complements the values we uphold at the Worcester Raiders.
"The newly renamed Diary of a Debt Collector Stadium will serve as a hub for thousands of players, coaches, referees, and fans each season - a symbol of shared ambition and local pride."
Diary of a Debt Collector, Worcestershire FA and Worcester Raiders declined to comment in response to the fans and Councillor Allcott.
Raiders have switched to Claines for the upcoming season, when they will play in the Hellenic Premier Division in step five, the ninth tier of English football.
