St Kilda deny name change planBy Tim Clarke
SNF
5 May 2012 04:26PM ESTST KILDA bosses have moved to reassure fans they will not be changing their name - despite reports out of New Zealand they were planning a radical branding shift.
An extensive report in the New Zealand press outlines St Kilda's plan to make Wellington its home away from home, in the same style as Hawthorn has done in Tasmania.
But the most radical move would appear the revelation by New Zealand sources that the club is planning to become known as "The Saints" - which would become "The Saints Wellington" when playing across the Tasman.
Wellington City Council sports and events portfolio leader John Morrison, and local businessman John Dow were both quoted as being involved in the detailed bid.
"These guys are saying what they'd dearly like to do is win the grand final, have a big ticker-tape parade through Melbourne, and then the next day come over here and do it in Wellington," Mr Dow told the Dominion Post.
"It's a subtle name change. They're known as The Saints anyway; their song is The Saints Go Marching In, so you don't have to be very imaginative," Mr Morrison said.
The club released a statement later in the day to hose down the reports.
“The St Kilda Football Club will not be changing its name,” Chief Executive Officer Michael Nettlefold said.
“The Football Club has been St Kilda and the Saints for the past 139 years, and there are no plans to change the name.”
“St Kilda may consider using the ‘Saints’ name to promote the Club when playing in Wellington, New Zealand.”
http://www.sportsnewsfirst.com.au/articles/2012/05/05/st-kilda-deny-name-change-plan/
