The OFFICIAL Liverpool Supporters thread

Started by Gabriel_Hurl, November 09, 2006, 10:52:45 PM

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Syd The Sailor

We need to stop buying second rate crap like Pennant and go for the real, to use an american phrase, "marquee" players if we are to ever win the league again......
"I coulda been a contender.....i could've been somebody"

GalwayBayBoy

JACK TODD in Montreal, CanWest News Service

Published: Thursday, February 08, 2007

George Gillett Jr. hung a left on his way into the presser in the bowels of the
Bell Centre yesterday.

It was the only wrong turn he made all morning.

Between watching his Montreal Canadiens defeat the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday afternoon and seeing them lose to the Hurricanes on Tuesday night, Gillett had flown to Liverpool and back -- and all he brought us was this lousy soccer team. Just kidding.

With deep pockets partner Tom Hicks of the Texas Rangers and Dallas Stars, Gillett had just acquired fabled Liverpool. Now he was back, a little the worse for jet lag, and ready to explain things to the supporters of his other team, the Montreal Canadiens. When after half an hour or so Habs VP Donald Beauchamp tried to rescue him from further questions, Gillett held up a hand.

"It's OK," he said. "This is home, I'm here, let's talk a while."

And he went on for another 45 minutes, addressing everything from the effect this will have on the Canadiens (none) to the future of the NHL on television (where Gillett believes high-definition has the power to bring a real sense of the game to Americans who don't understand the speed or the impact of hockey.) It was quite a performance.

You could say that Gillett made a lot of friends in that room yesterday, but Gillett never had any real enemies here anyway. What he demonstrated, especially given the jet lag, was that he is an excellent communicator and an effervescent salesman with a wide-ranging grasp of the issues in big-time professional sports in the 21st century.

He also showed that he could probably sell a few trainloads of ice to Winnipeg right now -- but that is part of Gillett's charm. Whereas fellow Americans Malcolm Glazer (at Manchester United) and Randy Lerner (Aston Villa) have alienated supporters of their teams by refusing to have anything to do with either the media or the fans, Gillett revels in rubbing elbows with both those who cover his teams and those who pay the bills by purchasing the tickets.

"It's not that they're doing anything wrong," Gillett said of Glazer and Lerner, "it's just a difference of style."

On that point we disagree. It is a difference of style, but it goes much deeper than that. What Glazer and Lerner have done is flat wrong. Whether the team is the Canadiens or the Reds or AC Milan, owning an institution in which fans have invested so much blood, sweat and tears (not to mention their hard-earned cash) is a public trust and it comes with public obligations.

Gillett is popular here because he has shown again and again that he has a sense of that public trust. When he talked about walking alone at Anfield yesterday and visiting the sacred Kop, the menacing terrace that puts the fear in visiting teams and is one of the most legendary spots in all of soccer, you believed that he felt the tradition and that it really meant something to him.

While Gillett downplayed concerns over any negative impact the Liverpool deal might have on the Canadiens, he also pointed the way to the potential for the two teams (Gillett was soundly spanked on the other side of the pond for using the word "franchise" in Liverpool, an Americanism that did not go over well with the leftish supporters of the Reds) to grow together in ways that are a little more concrete than that woolly business term "synergy" usually suggests.

First there is Hicks with his extensive cable and Fox Sports holdings in Central and South America. Then there is Gillett. While he may not have pockets as deep as Hicks, he has the vision and the gift for salesmanship of what is already a hugely popular international brand.

"In Greater Europe, Liverpool is the No. 1 brand in Europe," Gillett said. "If you go to the Far East, where Manchester United has historically been the No. 1 brand, Chelsea has recently become quite popular. They have a global branding concept which involves playing a number of games in the Far East.

"In that part of the world, Liverpool is No. 2 and growing. We have had conversations with management in the last several months and I believe you will see Liverpool playing some friendlies in Asia. I think you'll see Japan first in this coming year and then others beyond that.

"We have looked at the possibility of branding in a different way in that investments in soccer clubs in emerging parts of the world might be part of our strategy. There is a strong consciousness within the Liverpool family about the world-wide aspects of the sport. When you see the number of people who watched the World Cup, it was something like 2.3-billion people.

"You have the Texas Rangers in baseball, which is hugely popular in the Far East, the Dallas Stars, the Montreal Canadiens, the Liverpool Football Club and our family's involvement with NASCAR. You've got four unbelievably popular sports with growing international interest. If we get a hard-hitting marketing team that could provide potential sponsors with that array of opportunity, that's something I don't think has ever been put together before.

"There's a unique opportunity because the market is demanding it. If you look at the new sponsors in the Premiership within the past five years, more than a third of them are from Asia. There are something like 1,000 new Mercedes dealerships in China. The greatest amount of true new wealth in the world is in Russia. This alliance could have some interesting benefits for all of us."

We won't dwell on the potential negatives here, such as cigarette sponsorships in Asia or the global warming implications of all those Mercedes dealerships in China. But when you look at these far-flung sports and business empires, Gillett is now at the epicenter of one and it is likely not a bad thing for the Canadiens to tag along. At the end of the day, we were left with only one real regret: it's a pity Gillett didn't see the same potential in the Montreal Expos. He's the one guy who might have saved the team.

Caitlin

Did everything but score- 3rd place is dicey. Cannot see any joy from Barcelona.

The Real Laoislad

Reading a great book at the moment maybe some of ye have already read it but if not i highly recommend it
It's called 'A season on the brink'-A portrait of Rafael Benitez's Liverpool and it's wrote by Guillem Balague who some may know from Sky Sports La Liga coverage
It's based around the Champions League winning season and gives a great insight into Benitez's life,personality,his love for footbal,realationships withplayers etc
Some of the writing just makes the hair stand up on the back of your neck as he desribes the Liverpool dressing room at half time in Istanbul
A great read
You'll Never Walk Alone.

Syd The Sailor

I have just started reading it, its a great read.Its only 5 or 6 quid on Play.com. Cant believe Benitez was getting so much shit when we got put out of the two bullshit cup competitions, ringleader of course was that gobshite tosser Andy Gray. If i had a good shot on him i would take the turd out.
"I coulda been a contender.....i could've been somebody"

GalwayBayBoy

By Dominic Herbert & Anthony Kastrinakis



A FUN sing-song turned into a vicious punch-up as Liverpool ace Craig Bellamy saw red and waded into team-mate John Arne Riise in a drunken rage.

The sensational bust-up erupted in the early hours of Friday at the team's Portuguese hotel after a marathon boozing session.



An eye witness says the feuding Premiership stars:




TRADED INSULTS during a bar's karaoke contest when Riise refused to take the stage,



SCREAMED ABUSE as they faced each other toe to toe,



TOTTERED back to their training camp base at 2am,



FOUGHT in a hotel as Bellamy lashed out at Riise's £5 million legs with a golf club, until the pair were



SEPARATED by head coach Rafael Benitez.


The outrage has massive implications for both players and the club, who have just been taken over by new American owners.



Tycoon co-chairmen George Gillett and Tom Hicks who invested £470 million were said to be furious that their name has been dragged through the mud just before a vital Champions League clash with Barcelona on Wednesday—their most important match this year.



Insiders have predicted it could spell the end of 27-year-old bad boy Bellamy's career at Anfield.

The astonishing incident kicked off at Monty's Restaurant and Bar in the upmarket Algarve Vale do Lobo resort where Welsh international Bellamy and Norwegian World Cup hero Riise, 25, were winding down with colleagues after five days' training in preparation for Wednesday.



An inside source revealed: "There had been a lot of drinking and everyone was enjoying themselves.



"But it all went wrong when Craig tried to drag John up for a song.



"There was a karaoke competition going on, but John's a quiet one off the pitch and wasn't having it at all.



"It started off as a bit of a lark with some of the other lads having a go but then it got completely out of hand. John went ballistic because Craig wouldn't take no for an answer. He was screaming at Craig to leave him alone, saying he wouldn't do it and yelling insults.



"Everyone was completely stunned by it because they were really having a go, standing there toe to toe swearing at each other. There were about 20 players in the bar including all the senior guys, like Steven Gerrard, Peter Crouch and Dirk Kuyt.



"They were warned to keep a lid on it and it appeared to calm down.



"It was really late, about 2am, and the players eventually started drifting off to bed. But Craig, who was sharing with Steve Finnan, was so wound up he couldn't sleep.



"He suddenly grabbed a golf club and went looking for John. And when he found him he waded in, hacking at his legs with the club.



"All hell was let loose and John suffered a lot of bruising. Craig was out of control and shouting that John had belittled him in front of the lads."

Eventually coach Benitez was called to separate the two stars. The boss was said to be horrified and called both players to an emergency summit after they sobered up.



Benitez had plenty to worry about. Unconfirmed reports in a local newspaper said one footballer had also been handcuffed after allegedly trying to headbutt a policeman.



And it was claimed other players smashed electrical equipment in the resort with their golf clubs.



Staff at the four-star Barringtons Centro Deportivo hotel were ordered to keep quiet about the disturbance.

"The players flew back to Britain on Friday and were trying to keep a lid on the shameful incident.



But our source said: "With Liverpool just about to play one of the most important matches in their history this is the last thing they need.



"The break was meant to be a bit of rest and recreation with light training to get the team acclimatised for the Nou Camp on Wednesday, but this fight has ruined everything.



"It has heaped disgrace on the club when all the attention should be focused on what happens on the pitch. The new owners can't understand how grown men can behave like this. They believe the club's reputation is in the gutter and find it incredible that this should happen just before the Barcelona game.



"If Liverpool lose the match because of this there'll be hell to pay."



Riise's teammates are shocked at Bellamy's attack on a fellow professional and friend. A source said: "To smash a golf club into a fellow player's legs is unforgivable.

"It's the worst place ever to attack a footballer. Damaged legs are no good to anyone in this business and Riise is known for his trademark blockbusting shots.



"It's like deliberately trying to break someone's leg on the pitch — however cross or angry you are, it's a no-brainer. You just can't do it.



"John was mortified when Craig came bursting into his room like that. Anything could have happened."



It is not clear what punishments the players face. But hard-line Spaniard Benitez is unlikely to tolerate such loutish behaviour ever again and at the very least is expected to fine both men heavily.



One insider said: "Some people feel it's time to ship Bellamy out so he can be someone else's problem."



A Liverpool spokesman said: "We're not prepared to make any comment."


Square Ball

Bloody hell, what sort of professional footballer tries to deliberatly ruin a fellow pros careerer, never mind a team mates. I wonder will he ever play again for Liverpool?

where was this report taken from?
Hospitals are not equipped to treat stupid

The Real Laoislad

Quote from: GalwayBayBoy on February 18, 2007, 05:13:05 AM
By Dominic Herbert & Anthony Kastrinakis



A FUN sing-song turned into a vicious punch-up as Liverpool ace Craig Bellamy saw red and waded into team-mate John Arne Riise in a drunken rage.

The sensational bust-up erupted in the early hours of Friday at the team's Portuguese hotel after a marathon boozing session.



An eye witness says the feuding Premiership stars:




TRADED INSULTS during a bar's karaoke contest when Riise refused to take the stage,



SCREAMED ABUSE as they faced each other toe to toe,



TOTTERED back to their training camp base at 2am,



FOUGHT in a hotel as Bellamy lashed out at Riise's £5 million legs with a golf club, until the pair were



SEPARATED by head coach Rafael Benitez.


The outrage has massive implications for both players and the club, who have just been taken over by new American owners.



Tycoon co-chairmen George Gillett and Tom Hicks who invested £470 million were said to be furious that their name has been dragged through the mud just before a vital Champions League clash with Barcelona on Wednesday—their most important match this year.



Insiders have predicted it could spell the end of 27-year-old bad boy Bellamy's career at Anfield.

The astonishing incident kicked off at Monty's Restaurant and Bar in the upmarket Algarve Vale do Lobo resort where Welsh international Bellamy and Norwegian World Cup hero Riise, 25, were winding down with colleagues after five days' training in preparation for Wednesday.



An inside source revealed: "There had been a lot of drinking and everyone was enjoying themselves.



"But it all went wrong when Craig tried to drag John up for a song.



"There was a karaoke competition going on, but John's a quiet one off the pitch and wasn't having it at all.



"It started off as a bit of a lark with some of the other lads having a go but then it got completely out of hand. John went ballistic because Craig wouldn't take no for an answer. He was screaming at Craig to leave him alone, saying he wouldn't do it and yelling insults.



"Everyone was completely stunned by it because they were really having a go, standing there toe to toe swearing at each other. There were about 20 players in the bar including all the senior guys, like Steven Gerrard, Peter Crouch and Dirk Kuyt.



"They were warned to keep a lid on it and it appeared to calm down.



"It was really late, about 2am, and the players eventually started drifting off to bed. But Craig, who was sharing with Steve Finnan, was so wound up he couldn't sleep.



"He suddenly grabbed a golf club and went looking for John. And when he found him he waded in, hacking at his legs with the club.



"All hell was let loose and John suffered a lot of bruising. Craig was out of control and shouting that John had belittled him in front of the lads."

Eventually coach Benitez was called to separate the two stars. The boss was said to be horrified and called both players to an emergency summit after they sobered up.



Benitez had plenty to worry about. Unconfirmed reports in a local newspaper said one footballer had also been handcuffed after allegedly trying to headbutt a policeman.



And it was claimed other players smashed electrical equipment in the resort with their golf clubs.



Staff at the four-star Barringtons Centro Deportivo hotel were ordered to keep quiet about the disturbance.

"The players flew back to Britain on Friday and were trying to keep a lid on the shameful incident.



But our source said: "With Liverpool just about to play one of the most important matches in their history this is the last thing they need.



"The break was meant to be a bit of rest and recreation with light training to get the team acclimatised for the Nou Camp on Wednesday, but this fight has ruined everything.



"It has heaped disgrace on the club when all the attention should be focused on what happens on the pitch. The new owners can't understand how grown men can behave like this. They believe the club's reputation is in the gutter and find it incredible that this should happen just before the Barcelona game.



"If Liverpool lose the match because of this there'll be hell to pay."



Riise's teammates are shocked at Bellamy's attack on a fellow professional and friend. A source said: "To smash a golf club into a fellow player's legs is unforgivable.

"It's the worst place ever to attack a footballer. Damaged legs are no good to anyone in this business and Riise is known for his trademark blockbusting shots.



"It's like deliberately trying to break someone's leg on the pitch — however cross or angry you are, it's a no-brainer. You just can't do it.



"John was mortified when Craig came bursting into his room like that. Anything could have happened."



It is not clear what punishments the players face. But hard-line Spaniard Benitez is unlikely to tolerate such loutish behaviour ever again and at the very least is expected to fine both men heavily.



One insider said: "Some people feel it's time to ship Bellamy out so he can be someone else's problem."



A Liverpool spokesman said: "We're not prepared to make any comment."



I can't believe this is it true? I don't see anything about it on sky news
You'll Never Walk Alone.

GalwayBayBoy

Quote from: Square Ball on February 18, 2007, 12:35:24 PM
Bloody hell, what sort of professional footballer tries to deliberatly ruin a fellow pros careerer, never mind a team mates. I wonder will he ever play again for Liverpool?

where was this report taken from?

News of the Screws.

Syd The Sailor

There is reference to it on bbc website. Bellamy will never change, once a gypo always a gypo........
"I coulda been a contender.....i could've been somebody"

Farrandeelin

If that's how Liverpool try to prepare to win the European Cup 6 times then so be it... ;)
Inaugural Football Championship Prediction Winner.

Syd The Sailor

Quote from: Farrandeelin on February 18, 2007, 04:33:47 PM
If that's how Liverpool try to prepare to win the European Cup 6 times then so be it... ;)

Farandeelin.....Salford City Reds will not be preparing to win a 6th European Cup in your lifetime.
"I coulda been a contender.....i could've been somebody"

Over the Bar

Bellamy is filth.  He fits into the Liverpool set-up so well.   ;)

superblues


Syd The Sailor

Quote from: Over the Bar on February 18, 2007, 07:04:09 PM
Bellamy is filth.  He fits into the Liverpool set-up so well.   ;)

Over the bar....Fair comment he should have behaved a bit better, like that deceased wifebeating, alcoholic waster you Salford City supporters hold in such high regard......
"I coulda been a contender.....i could've been somebody"