Critics rounded on the State-owned bank for pouring taxpayers' money into Newcastle United. The renewed deal is worth 500 times the £20,000 average annual salary of a Northern Rock worker. It is even more generous than some of those signed by rival clubs - including ones which are more successful than Newcastle. Yesterday Premier League side Birmingham City signed a five-year deal with the Chinese sportswear firm Xtep worth around £7.8million. But Newcastle are in the Championship, a division lower.
Northern Rock was bailed out by taxpayers in February 2008 after humiliating scenes saw panicked customers queueing round the block to withdraw their money. But yesterday the bank insisted the new sponsorship deal was appropriate.
So it's "HOWAWAY THE LADS, YOU SHOULD HAVE SEEN US COMING"
"WE'RE ONLY HERE TO DRINK YOUR BEER AND SHAG YIR FUCKING WOMEN"
