Southend United faces flak for selling naming rights for West Stand. Find out why

Southend United is under fire for naming a stand in their stadium as 'Gilbert and Rose West Stand'. They are facing criticism as it featured the name of Britain's one of the worst serial killers.

By ET Spotlight Special | Updated: Aug 03, 2022, 10.47 PM IST

Southend United is facing backlash for naming one of its stands in a new sponsorship deal. Wondering why? It is because it features the name of one of the worst serial killers in Britain.

After signing a commercial partnership contract of The National League with a native estate agent, the stand has been named Gilbert and Rose West Stand. The decision has not gone down well with netizens.

How did people come to know about the names?
On the official website of Southend United, season ticket cards are being released, on which the words 'West and Rose' are written next to each other. West Stand and Gilbert Rose are placed together on the season ticket cards and the official website.

After the name came to light, fans raised concerns on the matter with the leadership of the club earlier this week. However, there did not seem to be any plans to address the issue initially. It seems to be due to the possible costs involved, which could be high.

Is the issue addressed now?
As of now, if rumors are to be believed, Southend is planning to officially rename the stands. The potential names circulating the corners are ‘West Stand Sponsored by Gilbert and Rose’ or ‘G&R West Stand.’

However, the advertising boards, which have been put around the grounds of Roots Hall, won’t be changed. They will still read Gilbert and Rose or Gilbert Rose.

What is the issue with the name Rose West?
Rose West, aged 68, and her husband Fred were involved in the murder of some 9 young women. These women were murdered from 1973 to 1987. Rose West also happened to murder her own stepdaughter, 8, in 1971.

West and Fred were charged and arrested when remains of the dead bodies were found at their house in 1990. The house was situated in Gloucester.

Fred, her husband, committed suicide in prison before the trial, which made Rose the second woman in the modern history of the UK to be given imprisonment for her entire life. The first woman in the case was Myra Hindley.

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