Worcester Raiders FC, a non-league football club, has secured an unusual sponsorship deal that has resulted in their new home ground being titled ‘The Diary of a Debt Collector Stadium.’ As the club prepares to leave Sixways Stadium and start the 2025/26 season at their new venue, fans and locals have expressed mixed feelings about the rebranding.
Originally slated to play at Claines Lane in Worcester, the club’s new stadium name took a surprising turn following the appointment of Adam Heighway as CEO of The Diary of a Debt Collector Ltd. Heighway has also joined the club as a non-executive board member, cementing a close relationship between the company and Worcester Raiders.
The unconventional stadium name has left local football supporters bewildered and voicing their opinions across forums. Mel Allcott, a local councillor and former mayor, described the name as “unconventional and unattractive,” adding that it “feels very distant from football.” She expressed concern that the name lacks connection to the local community: “People of Claines may find it bemusing. It’s not a name that rolls off the tongue or inspires pride. Many will probably just keep calling it Claines Lane.”
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Fans have also been outspoken in their criticism. Ben Stevens, a 40-year-old father of two, voiced his frustration: “We’ll be called Bailiff FC at this rate — it’s madness. The stadium name reeks of blaming people for their debts. Football is a working-class sport, and most fans don’t have much spare cash. Seeing ‘Debt Collector Stadium’ plastered everywhere is just depressing.”
Company records indicate that The Diary of a Debt Collector Ltd is a small enterprise based in Newark, Nottinghamshire, with just two employees. Their latest financial filings show £45,180 in assets versus £17,600 in liabilities, highlighting a modest operation.
Despite the backlash, Raiders chairman Steve Harris expressed enthusiasm about the partnership. “We’re delighted to welcome The Diary of a Debt Collector team on board,” he said. “Their values of recovery, accountability, and community align perfectly with those of Worcester Raiders. The new stadium will be a hub for thousands of players, coaches, referees, and fans each season—a symbol of our shared ambition and local pride.”
Neither The Diary of a Debt Collector, Worcestershire FA, nor Worcester Raiders have made further comments regarding the public reaction.
The Raiders will compete in the Hellenic Premier Division, step five of English football’s system, at their new Claines venue starting this upcoming season.