Fans are quick to point out that the full name of Southend’s new stand includes the name of a killer.
Image source, Getty ImagesA football club is to reconsider plans to rename a stand after a sponsor, after fans pointed out it would include the name of a serial killer.
Southend United sold naming rights for the West Stand at their Roots Hall ground to estate agents Gilbert & Rose.
Now when fans want to buy a ticket, the stadium plan shows availability in the Gilbert & Rose West Stand.
The football club said it was talking to the sponsor about a “different arrangement of words”.
Rose West, together with her husband Fred, murdered an unknown number of people at the couple’s house in Gloucester over a 20-year period from 1967.
Southend United have sold the naming rights for their West Stand to the local estate agents Gilbert & Rose.
I don’t think they thought this one through…
(Thanks to @prnapper for the spot) pic.twitter.com/cYyay1OHNU
— Iain Macintosh (@iain_games)
The naming of the stand sparked a flurry of activity on social media.
In a tweet, Paul Napper said: “Only Southend United could have a sponsor for the West Stand called Gilbert & Rose, inevitably leading to the Gilbert & Rose West Stand.”
Iain Macintosh, from The Athletic, tweeted: “I don’t think they thought this one through”.
The National League side said the company was a “fantastic local estate agent” and it was looking forward to working together.
But after being alerted to the wording of the stand, the club said it would look at different phrasing.
It added that the full wording of the stand had not been added to signage within the stadium.
Find BBC News: East of England on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you have a story suggestion email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk