What's in a name?

STOKE fans have come to regard the Britannia Stadium – both the place itself and the name – with affection, and some are now concerned Britannia's imminent merger with Co-operative Financial Services will lead to a name change.

A Britannia spokesman said the stadium contract runs until 2016.

He said: "At this stage, no decisions have been made. The management of the Britannia Stadium and Stoke City have been kept fully informed of the progress of the merger. It is for the merged organisation, in continuing negotiation with Stoke City, to determine the future relationship."