Murrayfield name remains

Murrayfield - the home of Scottish rugby since 1925

The Scottish Rugby Union has announced that it is not planning to drop the name of Scotland's national stadium, Murrayfield, as had been previously indicated.

According to a report in the Scotland on Sunday newspaper, the SRU is anxious to clear its debts of about £10m and sees the sale of the stadium identity as one way of doing that.

The proposal was reported to be the brainchild of SRU marketing director Phil Anderton.

While the practice of renaming stadiums after sponsors has become more common in recent times, traditionalists would be hostile to a name-change for the stadium which has been the home of Scottish rugby for almost 80 years.

Our intention, as a forward thinking, commercial organisation, is to build on the worldwide renown of Murrayfield Stadium and you don¿t do that by dropping Murrayfield from the stadium name

Phil Anderton, marketing director, SRU

Anderton had told the Scotland on Sunday: "We are out there selling sponsorships and as part of the package we will be talking to people about the stadium name.

"You have to balance up commercial and marketing interests, and we wouldn't call it the Kentucky Fried Chicken Stadium for instance.

"But imagine if someone like The Famous Grouse said we'll pay you 'x' million pounds and it could be called 'The Famous Grouse Stadium at Murrayfield'. Then would we think about it? Of course."

However, in a statement clearly intended to clarify what was said in the weekend newspaper article, Anderton said: "Murrayfield is the home of Scottish rugby and has been since 1925.

"Our intention, as a forward thinking, commercial organisation, is to build on the worldwide renown of Murrayfield Stadium and you don't do that by dropping Murrayfield from the stadium name.

"As I have said, if a company were to offer us a significant sum of money to have an association with Murrayfield Stadium then we would consider it as a means of re-investing money in the game of rugby in Scotland.

"However, I would reiterate Murrayfield will not be dropped.

"We need to ensure we keep the best of our traditions yet we also have a responsibility to generate income in order that future generations of Scots can enjoy the thrill of playing for or supporting their country at Murrayfield Stadium."