Who were the first English side to sell their stadium naming rights to a sponsor?

The are becoming more and more common in the commercial age of football, but who started it all of by selling the name of their stadium to a sponsor?


I think it is quite a recent occurance, but like I said, is becoming more and more popular with clubs who are moving into new stadia.





For example, you have the Emirates Stadium (Arsenal) and the Walkers Stadium (Leicester) among others.

Who were the first English side to sell their stadium naming rights to a sponsor?
I think you'll find the Reebok was NOT the first! Bolton's stadium was opened in 1997, but Huddersfield Town's McAlpine Stadium, which played it's first match in August 1994.





Also, Middlesbrough's BT Cellnet Riverside Stadium was opened in 1995 prior to Bolton's too.
Reply:Scarborough
Reply:i would say the reebok, its the first one i remember.
Reply:Bolton? Reebok?
Reply:At a guess the Reebok stadium in Bolton might have been one of the early ones. Manchester City are currently asking people to fill in an online survay that includes questions about this very subject.
Reply:I think it was Wigan, with the JJB Stadium.