Football fans have been left ‘bemused’ and ‘dumbfounded’ by a non league club’s ‘unappealing’ new stadium name this week.
Worcester Raiders’ football ground at Claines Lane has been renamed The Diary of a Debt Collector Stadium due to a new sponsorship deal, leaving fans and residents confused and critical.
The name, linked to a debt collection firm whose CEO, Adam Heighway, joined the club’s board, has been called unappealing and disconnected from football by fans and former mayor Mel Allcott.
Despite receiving mockery online and some backlash from councillors, the club sees the sponsorship as aligning with their values of recovery and community.
The team, now playing in the 9th tier of English football, moved to Claines Lane from Sixways Stadium for the 2025/26 season after a surprising swap with Worcester City FC, who now play in the Southern League Premier Division Central.
The club signed a 10-year lease for Claines Lane, but neither Worcester Raiders, the sponsor, nor Worcestershire FA have commented on the controversy.
Worcester Raiders are proud to announce a landmark partnership with Diary Of A Debt Collector, the award-winning debt recovery brand founded by local entrepreneur Adam Heighway.
— Worcester Raiders FC (@WorcsRaidersFC) June 20, 2025
CLUB STATEMENT:
Worcestershire FA Stadium at Claines Lane — now officially named The Diary Of A Debt Collector Stadium
Worcester Raiders are proud to announce a landmark partnership with Diary Of A Debt Collector, the award-winning debt recovery brand founded by local entrepreneur Adam Heighway.
This strategic collaboration marks an exciting new chapter for both organisations, which brings together a community-focused football institution and a business committed to transparency, resilience, and positive outcomes.
Adam, who recently came on board as a non-executive director of the club, commented:
“This is more than just a branding opportunity. It’s about giving back to the community, supporting grassroots football, and importantly our community here in Worcester both on the pitch and in life.”
Raiders Chairman, Steve Harris added:
“We’re delighted to welcome Adam and the Diary Of A Debt Collector team on board. Their ethos around recovery, accountability, and community perfectly complements the values we uphold at the Worcester Raiders.
Having known Adam for some time, it’s been an absolute pleasure to have him on board as our stadium sponsor and also as a non-executive director, we feel he can help the club grow to new heights.”
The newly renamed Diary Of A Debt Collector Stadium will serve as a hub for thousands of players, coaches, referees, and fans each season — a symbol of shared ambition and local pride.
Cllr and former mayor Mel Allcott says she feels the name is an unusual and unappealing choice that is “very distant from football.”
She said, per Worcester News: “It is an unusual name to choose for a stadium. It doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue easily.
“The people of Claines may be slightly bemused. Obviously Worcester City football club have moved away from there now so I can see a reason for a name change but I think the people of Claines might find it slightly bemusing.”
Cllr Allcott, who is a Worcester City fan herself, added: “I think people will not remember it either. It would have been nice if they kept it linked to Claines, I think people will still call it Claines Lane.
“I am not in support of the name, it would not be my choice. It just doesn’t sound very appealing and feels very distant from football.”
As mentioned, football fans are left ‘bemused’ and ‘dumbfounded’ by the non league club’s ‘unappealing’ new stadium name…
@JoeCos93: Diary Of A Debt Collector Stadium. Fucking hell 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 I thought we were bad with the Ice Cream Van Stand 😂
@foreverayellow: don’t they know how stupid that looks and sounds?!
Wayne Lomax: Well that rolls off the tongue
Shaun Tunley: Calling it a stadium is embarrassing enough 😂
Mark Giles: All 3 of there fans will be looking over their shoulder now
Stephen James Mann: Bit ironic given weren’t they owned by the heavily indebted lot who owned warriors and Morecambe?
Simon ‘Coppo’ Copson: Still gobsmacked since the first time I heard this. Will be a question all over quiz shows now. “What is the daftest name for a football ground?”
Gav Luce: Stadium 😳🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Ian Langford: It’s called what….? 😳
Jon Mann: If any opposition players owe a load on credit cards, they won’t be turning up
Bradley Swift: Phahahaha!! 🥴🤣🤣🤣
Kevin Griffin: Is this a wind up
Ian Pardoe: Surely this is a wind up
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