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CONSORTIUM: Jeff Mostyn and Steve Sly
CONSORTIUM: Jeff Mostyn and Steve Sly
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JEFF Mostyn's consortium could be planning to rename the Fitness First Stadium - should they ultimately gain control of the club.

Mostyn's group, which is today expected to be unveiled as the successful bidder for the club, could also be looking to change the club's logo in a bid to boost commercial revenue.

It is believed several deals with existing contractors could have lapsed during administration and may need to be renegotiated.

Cherries' new owners could benefit greatly if the contracts were to come back under the club's umbrella, providing a major source of income.

And any prospective deal for the stadium naming rights could prove particularly lucrative to the ailing Dorset club.

Cherries signed a 10-year deal with the Fitness First chain of health and fitness clubs when a redeveloped Dean Court first opened in November 2001.

At the time, it was believed to have been a sponsorship, although it later emerged that the money had been provided by way of a £600,000 loan.

Cherries had been desperate for funds to continue with the redevelopment and turned to Fitness First for help.

Founder Mike Balfour stepped in by persuading his board to provide a low interest loan, secured against the stadium.

In return, Fitness First got their name on the stadium and although the club struggled to meet the loan repayments, the company remained a sympathetic and supportive creditor.

When the stadium was sold in 2005, Fitness First agreed to write off £250,000 of the debt plus all the unpaid interest.

Despite still having three years to run, the existing contract may become null and void.

Should Mostyn's consortium get the green light to take the club out of administration, it is possible any re-branding exercise would coincide with a change to the club crest.

The current logo was introduced in the summer of 1971 when the club changed its name to AFC Bournemouth under then chairman Harold Walker.

Although it was temporarily replaced in the early 1980s by a bunch of Cherries, the club soon reverted back to the 1971 design.

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