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Sports Direct advertising hoardings in the Strawberry Corner are NOT being removed from St James’ Park permanently, despite pictures that emerged last week of the signs being taken away.

Pictures circulated on Twitter of the signs being removed but they were being cleaned and repaired as part of regular stadium maintenance.

Tongues were set wagging by the pictures that came in the week the club released Fans Forum minutes confirming Mike Ashley’s company pay for advertising in the stadium but the signs will be there on Saturday when Newcastle take on Brighton.

Sports Direct branding is prominent in the stadium and at the training ground and is regularly pictured in the background when new signings are announced – despite it not being the club’s official sponsor.

The club said at the recent Fans Forum : “There is now an agreement in place whereby Sports Direct pays for all advertising in the stadium.

“Sports Direct is only allocated what the club doesn’t sell and that arrangement can be terminated immediately by the club if another company is willing to pay more on a fair commercial basis.”

The relationship between the club and Ashley’s business has long been a bone of contention for fans. In response to questioning from Alex Hurst of the Newcastle United Supporters Trust about online sales, the club said in the Forum minutes: “The club pays Sports Direct for the stock sold in the store, which is noted in the club’s accounts. The revenue from the store goes directly into the club’s bank account.

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“Online sales are accounted for differently but the net profit for the club is unaffected. During the meeting is was agreed that further clarification would be provided on online sales subsequent to the meeting. “This detail is now included below: Sports Direct took over fulfilment of the web/mail order operation in 2015. This means stock now comes from them directly for web sales, rather than the club having to purchase the stock from Sports Direct. For the avoidance of doubt, profit for the club is unaffected.”