Warwickshire CCC will be known as Birmingham Bears in next year's Twenty20 competition - and fans are not happy about it.
The decision to adopt the name for the NatWest t20 Blast competition, which begins in May next year, has been met with outrage by fans who have branded it a “disgrace”.
The was inundated with comments from angry Warwickshire fans who condemned the name change.
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Typical of the messages was the one from Dave Robinson, who said: "What a terrible idea. I'm not from Birmingham so I guess I have no team to support in this competition."
However, bosses at the club said it was a chance to “engage more closely with fans living and working in Birmingham”.
The NatWest t20 Blast will get underway at Edgbaston on May 23 with the Bears facing Yorkshire Vikings.
Warwickshire CCC chief executive Colin Povey said: “Birmingham and Edgbaston has been the club’s home since 1886 and we believe that adopting the Birmingham Bears name for the NatWest T20 Blast presents a great opportunity for us to engage even more closely with fans living and working at the heart of the city.
“Despite our T20 name change, we will continue to maintain the proud history of the club and play under the Warwickshire banner in the other two more traditional formats.”
Warwickshire fans unhappy at T20 name change
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Ian Ray I'm actually that upset by this I don't think I'm going to attend any T20 games next season. I'm from Warwickshire not Birmingham!
John Sheerman Well as me and my mates are from Coventry we will not be attending any T20 games next season. It is an insult to Warwickshire fans who don't live in Birmingham
Jack Rhodes-Jones It's County Cricket. I'm a proud Brummie, but to change the name for the sake of sponsorship (from a council that can't afford it, either) is poor
Adam Veysey This is disgusting, im not from birmingham! @cricktingbears you can officially cancel my membership im that annoyed
Paul Bennett Absolute joke. Insulting
John Kearney Disgusting decision
Trevor Bishop I'm from Birmingham, and a Bears fan, but this is ridiculous. We are Warwickshire County Cricket club. End of.
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Rob Wells I totally agree and Warwichshire Bears isn't catchy and not catchy is not money making and its all about money or am I just a cynic?
Helen Wilkins Warwickshire born and bred, been attending since the early '70s. But Birmingham Bears? We started to feel alienated after the county membership was abolished, and this has just finished it for me, I'm afraid. Very poor piece of business.
Jen Beale Just wrong in so many ways.
Id Staffordshire Disgusted with new name. I will not attending any home games unless you change it Warwickshire Bears.
Louis McMahon Warwickshire County Cricket Club renaming themselves 'Birmingham Bears' for 2020 Cricket is absolute PR suicide, talk about alienating a massive percentage of supporters, shocking decision! Why mess with 127 years history!
Mark Downes I am from Birmingham but equally as disgusted.
Ellis John Thats it for the first time in 33 years i will not be attending any more games i live in the blackcountry and refuse to Support Birmingham i am Warwick through and through thats it for me!
Mark Gwalchmai Which bit of COUNTY cricket is not clear?
Tony Kemp This is an awful idea. The Bears have a wide catchment area and you have just upset the majority of them. Heads should roll in the PR and Marketing dept.
Max Smith I'd like to add my voice to those Warwickshire Bears who are extremely upset by this decision. It's obvious that this is purely a money-making exercise. A club with such a great history and such wonderful fans deserves more than having this horrific re branding inflicted upon it. We're better than this. Please reconsider this decision as soon as possible. I will definitely not be attending any T20 games.
Paul Lowe Whoever came up with this idea is nuts. Warwickshire CCC is called that for a valid reason. I live a stone throw away from Edgbaston (and proud to be from Birmingham)but this is shockingly wrong. Great way to drive supporters away. Reverse the decision now.
Kris Davies Just The Bears would have been better, could have fitted a name sponsor in, the Jaguar XF Bears or something lol
Dave Robinson Would someone from the club like to explain why there was zero consulation with members or supporters about this and also what the connection is between Birmingham and Bears as I was under the impression the bear name and club crest came from Warwickshire.
Ed Ruane Wrong. And I live a mile away.
Nin Randhawa One of the stupidest things I've heard in a long time.
Peter Alan 'Peg' Hill Worst. Decision. Ever.
Dave Robinson what a terrible idea. I'm not from Birmingham so I guess I have no team to support in this competition.
Steve Castle City franchises creep a step closer.