Newcastle’s controversial sponsorship deal with Wonga has made headlines again after the payday lender’s rebrand rendered next season’s replica kits out of date – even before they were unveiled.
Hours before Newcastle revealed their new shirt – which will be worn by the team for the first time on Sunday as they battle to avoid relegation – club sponsors Wonga relaunched with a new brand identity.
With no time to make changes, all next season’s replica Newcastle kits, which are available for pre-order from Thursday 21 May, will carry the old Wonga logo. A Wonga spokesperson blamed “the production schedule”.
Most-read: Newcastle United launch new home shirt with sponsor Wonga's old logo http://t.co/3jm6esSsBD pic.twitter.com/dKg9mQ5Gm0
— The Chronicle (@EveningChron) May 19, 2015
True Faith podcaster Taylor Payne told Chronicle Live: “Only NUFC could launch a new shirt with an outdated sponsor logo on it.”
Launching the kits, Newcastle said: “The Magpies will be trying to earn their stripes against the Hammers at St. James’ Park and the design is centred on the iconic club colours. But there is also a hint of blue, matching the scroll under the famous Newcastle United crest.”
Newcastle’s decision to agree a sponsorship deal with the short-term, high-interest payday lender was met with widespread criticism in 2012. The Labour MP Stella Creasy said: “It is only through preying on families struggling to make ends meet that Wonga has made enough money to be able to sign this deal with Newcastle.”
Wonga’s attempt to overhaul its image, announced on Tuesday, includes the logo, new adverts and a stated focus on “serving hard-working people throughout the UK who need access to transparent, flexible and short-term credit products”.
