FAN ARTICLES
Ever... who??
By Anna Spencer : 30/05/2008 : 
Comments (57) :
Comments (57) : Yesterday, thousands of people descended on Liverpool City Centre. Thousands more have already passed through and thousands more will arrive throughout the rest of the year. If I wasn't an Everton fan, and I was one of those thousands of people passing through the city, I wouldn't know Everton Football Club even existed!
Were is the marketing/advertising/promotion of Everton Football Club? Why do we wait 'til near the start of the season to sell the new kit? Why not sell it now, get more sales in? Why have we not got a shop in the city centre? We had one but this subsequently closed because, I think, of the deal with JJB to run our merchandising... I wonder has anyone from Everton been into JJB in Williamson Square? Have they looked at where the merchandising was put, in the far corner of the shop, behind all the Liverpool stock!!
Have they been there recently were we are now ? in the "other" far corner of the shop, again after all the Liverpool stuff. I don't know what our situation is as far as our deal with JJB goes, but I hope that we aren't paying them to sell our stuff at present, because what a waste of money! In fact the whole "deal" from a fan perspective, from day one seems to me like a waste.
For every one Evertonian I saw in town yesterday, I saw 6-7 Liverpudlians with the new Liverpool kit on. Even the local radio stations inc City FM were at the new Liverpool store all day yesterday, promoting it, promoting Liverpool FC and in effect making it look like Everton don't exist and that there is only one team in Liverpool! That would have been how it looked yesterday to anyone who visited the city and wanted to buy anything Everton, I'd have said good luck to them in finding something.
It's almost like we have already gone to Kirkby (maybe this is why we arent bothered?) and we don't care about branding the name of Everton in Liverpool anymore! A sign of things to come, I fear, if we move there. Luckily David Moyes and the squad are keeping our name alive by performing well on the pitch and getting us back out into Europe!!
Surely this close season is the time we need to be selling merchandise, what little of it we seem to have, to be making some money whilst there are no games on? Yet all we have is a souvenir shop out in Everton ? somewhere probably most people, like myself, would only have time to get to on match days ? plus a tiny section in the furthest corner of a sports store.
Liverpool branded their name spectacularly yesterday with a new shop and a new kit, what did Everton do? Where was Everton? No-where to be seen. Liverpool gained themselves (in my opinion) a whole new generation of fans yesterday, whilst Everton ? well, more like Ever... who?? ? were no-where to be seen!
Reader Comments (57)
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Shaun Nesbitt
3 Posted 30/05/2008 at 14:42:16
3 Posted 30/05/2008 at 14:42:16
I had a nightmare trying to get the Everton shirt last season from JJB. That says it all!!
Anthony Horabin
4 Posted 30/05/2008 at 14:43:00
4 Posted 30/05/2008 at 14:43:00
Last years kit came out in June, just after the season ended. Don’t know what you are talking about there. This years new kit is rumoured to go on sale in July. Middle of Summer. JJB stores are available all over the country and carry our merchandise.
Nick Toye
5 Posted 30/05/2008 at 14:50:47
5 Posted 30/05/2008 at 14:50:47
Anyone know the email address of the person involved with the marketing at the club, because he/she needs shooting.
Chris Lawlor
6 Posted 30/05/2008 at 14:51:47
6 Posted 30/05/2008 at 14:51:47
Anthony are you just making a blind statement there or are you lucky enough to live near a JJB store that stocks anything more than the Everton home shirt?
Most JJB stores do not stock any Everton merchandise, contrary to your beliefs and in most cases, as has been mentioned here already, they are more likely to confront you with the merchandise of the ’top 4’ before you get any where near a royal blue colour. This is not so much JJB’s fault but more Everton’s for not ensuring that their brand is being exploited to its potential. The marketing/ merchandising department at our club is a joke and for the life of me I cannot understand how these people are allowed to continue in their positions without recourse.
Most JJB stores do not stock any Everton merchandise, contrary to your beliefs and in most cases, as has been mentioned here already, they are more likely to confront you with the merchandise of the ’top 4’ before you get any where near a royal blue colour. This is not so much JJB’s fault but more Everton’s for not ensuring that their brand is being exploited to its potential. The marketing/ merchandising department at our club is a joke and for the life of me I cannot understand how these people are allowed to continue in their positions without recourse.
Graham Atherton
7 Posted 30/05/2008 at 14:55:28
7 Posted 30/05/2008 at 14:55:28
Everton have never seemed to be able to market themselves - they were one of the last to have their own shop if I remember correctly.
They have admitted this and outsourced for a deal worth £1million a year or so - a good stop gap solution when they used to lose money on retailing.
They also admitted that they were only dealing with the issues of merging their various customer databases relatively recently - again very slow to treat the issue professionally
Having said all that it is pointless comparing us to Liverpool - we live in totally different retail worlds. There would be no point in us having an expensive store in a city centre development simply as an ’ego’ statement as it would simply not pay - the last store made large losses and Liverpool are spending millions on their ’flagship’ in L1.
We are years behind but our internet offerings are quite good - evertonTV in particular seems to be progressing well, the internet shop seems well run. Its a start Lots more to do - over to you Mr Leahy?
They have admitted this and outsourced for a deal worth £1million a year or so - a good stop gap solution when they used to lose money on retailing.
They also admitted that they were only dealing with the issues of merging their various customer databases relatively recently - again very slow to treat the issue professionally
Having said all that it is pointless comparing us to Liverpool - we live in totally different retail worlds. There would be no point in us having an expensive store in a city centre development simply as an ’ego’ statement as it would simply not pay - the last store made large losses and Liverpool are spending millions on their ’flagship’ in L1.
We are years behind but our internet offerings are quite good - evertonTV in particular seems to be progressing well, the internet shop seems well run. Its a start Lots more to do - over to you Mr Leahy?
Richard Turpin
8 Posted 30/05/2008 at 15:14:48
8 Posted 30/05/2008 at 15:14:48
Unfortunately it seems that Kenwright, Wyness and Co have conceded the city of Liverpool to LFC. I think they?ve decided that the city council et al has no interest in Everton whatsoever and will therefore set up camp elsewhere. It?s true that the Council have an uneven view of both clubs and their support over the years reflects this. If Everton were pushing ahead with plans for a new ground within the boundaries of Liverpool, I think you?d see a lot more localised marketing, media fuss and general support. If Everton move to Kirkby, the ?one team in Liverpool? sentiment will continue to increase. I think Wyness in his naivety wants to move the club in the hope that we can target a whole new ?local? market. Have he ever been to Huyton, Kirkby, Halewood etc? Great plan Keith.
On another slightly trivial point, I think we should drop Umbro and bring in Nike or Adidas. Basically a more fashionable, more international brand would help with Merchandise. Just a thought.
On another slightly trivial point, I think we should drop Umbro and bring in Nike or Adidas. Basically a more fashionable, more international brand would help with Merchandise. Just a thought.
Peter Conroy
10 Posted 30/05/2008 at 15:15:34
10 Posted 30/05/2008 at 15:15:34
I too have just been around L1 and it is awash of kids and adults in the new Liverpool kit. A brand new shop as well, were absolutely light-years behind them. Its a shame really someone obviousley gets paid a good wedge for promoting Everton as a brand but as stated by Anna but we currently dont exist in Liverpool city centre.
Our new home strip is revealed next week Friday 6th June. Its stll Umbro. Booo.
Our new home strip is revealed next week Friday 6th June. Its stll Umbro. Booo.
Gordon Ramsbottom
11 Posted 30/05/2008 at 15:29:50
11 Posted 30/05/2008 at 15:29:50
Nick,
gary.wilton@evertonfc.com is the man you want.
gary.wilton@evertonfc.com is the man you want.
mark-chester
12 Posted 30/05/2008 at 15:33:00
12 Posted 30/05/2008 at 15:33:00
According to JJb on Cheshire oaks, the new kit will be out on June 10th!
But the whole merchandising thing is a joke, we have all been testimant to the crappy little section in the far corner of every JJB store, hidden by a plethora of RS and fred Perry products hiding our stuff like a lost city dating back to BC!
But the whole merchandising thing is a joke, we have all been testimant to the crappy little section in the far corner of every JJB store, hidden by a plethora of RS and fred Perry products hiding our stuff like a lost city dating back to BC!
Paul Burdett
13 Posted 30/05/2008 at 15:34:53
13 Posted 30/05/2008 at 15:34:53
Anna get that letter sent into the Club, couldn’t have put it better...
Kenners
14 Posted 30/05/2008 at 15:42:31
14 Posted 30/05/2008 at 15:42:31
Great article. I have a simmillar problem at the JJB in Warrington. Everton merchandise is virtualy non existant, and what there is comes way down the list behind the top four clubs, Man City, Newcastle Utd, Real Madrid, Juve and Barca!. Although an exspensive retail outlet in L1 may lose money, its overall effect would be to raise the profile of the club and this has to be the priority if we are to attract investment into the club! On a more positive note, we must not ignore the fact that there has been massive strides made in marketing the club in the lucrative markets abroad with deals and affiliations being made almost every week. Whilst it would be financial suicide to ignore the home market, the advances made in the US, India, Thialand, China and the likes will be an important revenue stream for the future.
paul hennessey
15 Posted 30/05/2008 at 16:25:19
15 Posted 30/05/2008 at 16:25:19
Anthony Horobin - JJB sports stores all over the country DO NOT carry efc merchandise
living in worcester there is only one shop where you can get an everton shirt, and its not the JJB - in fact the JJB here has liverpool posters everywhere and had a big bilboard outside with new liverpool kit in stock today last week, the same is also true in Birmingham and Cheltenham, now I’m not expecting to see giant posters, billboards and flyers proclaiming our kits where I live, however given the amount of everton fans all over the country perhaps it shouldnt be asking too much for a few shirts (especially in the kids sizes?) for sale in the store that we have a deal with to sell our merhandise, especially when given the coverage they afford to our greatest rivals (you’d actually think they were actively ignoring efc)
living in worcester there is only one shop where you can get an everton shirt, and its not the JJB - in fact the JJB here has liverpool posters everywhere and had a big bilboard outside with new liverpool kit in stock today last week, the same is also true in Birmingham and Cheltenham, now I’m not expecting to see giant posters, billboards and flyers proclaiming our kits where I live, however given the amount of everton fans all over the country perhaps it shouldnt be asking too much for a few shirts (especially in the kids sizes?) for sale in the store that we have a deal with to sell our merhandise, especially when given the coverage they afford to our greatest rivals (you’d actually think they were actively ignoring efc)
Col Wills
16 Posted 30/05/2008 at 16:37:28
16 Posted 30/05/2008 at 16:37:28
just do what i do at JJB- put an everton shirt in front of the redsh1te ones to cover them up!
Paul Evans
17 Posted 30/05/2008 at 16:42:34
17 Posted 30/05/2008 at 16:42:34
It is not just shirts and merchandise. Just been shopping in Chester. Looked for the Evertonian magazine in WH Smiths. Found Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal, Celtic, Rangers and Man City monthlies/weeklies - but no sign of ours again!!
Anthony Fielding
18 Posted 30/05/2008 at 16:51:09
18 Posted 30/05/2008 at 16:51:09
Im not from Liverpool, but last year after i had come down to pay for my season ticket i had a wonder round the city centre wi the missus. I was amazed that there was hardly any evidence that Everton even existed in the city centre. There were stalls selling all the Liverpool stuff, lots of mention of The Redshite in the Liverpool museum thing with only a fleeting mention of us. I dont think this issue has anything to do with the proposed move to Kirkby, i think its just poor merchandising by the club. This JJB deal does seem a bit stupid but for the first time ever the club is making a money from the sale of shirts so it cant be all bad.
Joe Ludden
19 Posted 30/05/2008 at 17:44:08
19 Posted 30/05/2008 at 17:44:08
I’ve saved about a grand in the last 12 months cus of the lack of merchandice available. I’ve had to design my own on these online do it yourself t-shirt jobbies now!
I thought we were desperate for investment? If the CEO ran a decent ship, we’d be maxing out all our possible profits not selling them off to the likes of JJB and Ticketmaster. You just get the feeling that BK and KW dont care, its a case of flog as many of the operational aspects as possible, sit back with nowt to do and wait for the fat backhander for knocking down GP and sticking us in a Tesco car park for the next 999 years. The Peoples club? The BK/KW retirement fund more like.
I thought we were desperate for investment? If the CEO ran a decent ship, we’d be maxing out all our possible profits not selling them off to the likes of JJB and Ticketmaster. You just get the feeling that BK and KW dont care, its a case of flog as many of the operational aspects as possible, sit back with nowt to do and wait for the fat backhander for knocking down GP and sticking us in a Tesco car park for the next 999 years. The Peoples club? The BK/KW retirement fund more like.
Ray Robinson
20 Posted 30/05/2008 at 17:56:31
20 Posted 30/05/2008 at 17:56:31
This is an excellent post but, marketing nous aside - or lack of it - one of the main reasons that LFC have a bigger market is a) because the city’s name is a brand name (and we don’t have it in our name) and b) they’ve had years of success. The situation can’t be rectified overnight and probably will only start to redress itself when we have success on the pitch.
If proof that success boosts marketability is required, just look at the street vendors in Chester where Man Utd merchandise seems to have taken over from even LFC.
I’m not pardoning the failings of the EFC over the years in the marketing department but we’re fighting an uphill battle at the moment!
If proof that success boosts marketability is required, just look at the street vendors in Chester where Man Utd merchandise seems to have taken over from even LFC.
I’m not pardoning the failings of the EFC over the years in the marketing department but we’re fighting an uphill battle at the moment!
Karl Masters
21 Posted 30/05/2008 at 18:45:11
21 Posted 30/05/2008 at 18:45:11
Ray Robinson: Yes, you are right bthat we are comparing ourselves to a different beast in LFC. Their worldwide base of hangers on and glory hunting followes s legendary and we do not have the same punters to flog stuff to.
However, the point is that much of this is also of Everton FC’s own making - our lack of profile in our own city centre in The Capital of Culture Year IS an ABSOLUTE DISGRACE.
If Wyness wasn’t so obsessed with shipping us out to Kirkby and Knwright wasn’t so gullible as to believe him, then Everton FC would be doing something about this.
Even if it loses money or makes little, the point is that being pro-active NOW will attract fans in the future. Jesus, I despair with our off the field activity... or maybe activity is the wrong word as sod all seems to be happening... again!
However, the point is that much of this is also of Everton FC’s own making - our lack of profile in our own city centre in The Capital of Culture Year IS an ABSOLUTE DISGRACE.
If Wyness wasn’t so obsessed with shipping us out to Kirkby and Knwright wasn’t so gullible as to believe him, then Everton FC would be doing something about this.
Even if it loses money or makes little, the point is that being pro-active NOW will attract fans in the future. Jesus, I despair with our off the field activity... or maybe activity is the wrong word as sod all seems to be happening... again!
Adam Cunliffe
22 Posted 30/05/2008 at 18:57:34
22 Posted 30/05/2008 at 18:57:34
I think if we do move to Kirkby, the PR machine at Liverpool will go into overdrive.The whole "One City One Club" thing will go from being a shitty banner on the Kop to being an advertising slogan.They take advantage on any oppertunity they have to sell their club and quite frankly, we should try and do the same.
Colin Wordsworth
23 Posted 30/05/2008 at 18:59:21
23 Posted 30/05/2008 at 18:59:21
EFC are in the process of ditching jjb when the current deal runs out!
The new deal is supposed to be far far better!
the club apparently aren’t happy with the current situation but have to wait until the contract ends!
The new deal is supposed to be far far better!
the club apparently aren’t happy with the current situation but have to wait until the contract ends!
Sally Brotherton
25 Posted 30/05/2008 at 19:22:00
25 Posted 30/05/2008 at 19:22:00
I made the mistake of going into the JJB store in the City centre to buy an Everton shirt on the day the new Liverpool shirt came out and spent a good hour stuck behind countless people being told by Shop Assistants that Carragher won’t fit on the back of a childs shirt!
Chris McCullough
26 Posted 30/05/2008 at 19:19:03
26 Posted 30/05/2008 at 19:19:03
you should try getting some everton merchandise if your not from liverpool. Basically you can’t. Everton’s marketing time are shite; the growing momentum of on-field improvement has created the potential for a new generation of Everton fans, particularly in Ireland.
Gavin Ramejkis
27 Posted 30/05/2008 at 19:21:51
27 Posted 30/05/2008 at 19:21:51
For a club not to be marketing itself to death with the European Capital of Culture on it’s doorstep, three European qualifications in four years and a manager and team lauded by it’s peers is an utter disgrace. Keith Wyness is ultimately responsible for this, in his role during the Sydney Olympics the company he headed had only one customer despite his previous business background and even that went pear shaped. If you can’t make a profit in this environment then you really should be shown the door.
Chris Anakin
28 Posted 30/05/2008 at 19:23:23
28 Posted 30/05/2008 at 19:23:23
Anna, I totally agree with what your saying and yesterday i was at the liverpool one project and i did not see any Everton shirts about only Liverpool. This dissapointed me, and many other fellow evertonians feel the same. I would like to say that i think this new season coming up, are kits manufactors could be Nike. I walk passed a billboard advertising the new Nike store, and it showed pictures of Ronaldinho, Rooney and Tevez in their respective kits and also showing Andrew Johnson along side them. This suggests to me that we will be using Nike and not Umbro for the upcoming season.
Joe Ludden
29 Posted 30/05/2008 at 19:48:00
29 Posted 30/05/2008 at 19:48:00
Colin, if thats true, who is losing their job for signing the JJB contract in the first place?? A decision such as the JJB contract would require board level approval. Someone needs to go. I know who I’d horse kick outta their.. one clue: if you stare at him, you can actually see him grow fatter....
Colin Wordsworth
30 Posted 30/05/2008 at 20:21:47
30 Posted 30/05/2008 at 20:21:47
Joe
The jjb contract on face value gave us i believe over 2 mill a season(don’t quote me on this).
At that time we were struggling to make any money from merchantising.
My contact(for want of a better word) did not want the jjb deal but was argued down...the ’old school’ at the club making the decision. Most of which i believe have now left.
I believe that prior to Wyness the management structure of the club really was in a bad state!.....and it is supposed to be improving!
As i have mentioned before i am not kws greatest fan, and he is making mistakes....but the new deal is supposed to be really good!
ps our new 3rd shirt is like the dayglo chelski one!
The jjb contract on face value gave us i believe over 2 mill a season(don’t quote me on this).
At that time we were struggling to make any money from merchantising.
My contact(for want of a better word) did not want the jjb deal but was argued down...the ’old school’ at the club making the decision. Most of which i believe have now left.
I believe that prior to Wyness the management structure of the club really was in a bad state!.....and it is supposed to be improving!
As i have mentioned before i am not kws greatest fan, and he is making mistakes....but the new deal is supposed to be really good!
ps our new 3rd shirt is like the dayglo chelski one!
Tom Evans
31 Posted 30/05/2008 at 20:35:24
31 Posted 30/05/2008 at 20:35:24
I was involved in the early stages of the L1 development and took it as read that we would have some presence there. I find it utterly amazing that our absence from the site, and it would appear the rest of the city is so evident, and at a time when countless thousands are headed there due to the City of Culture celebrations. The farce over the new strip also defies logic.
I rely a lot on web sites such as Toffeeweb to at least get a feel of what is going on, but this latest faux pas is indefensible. They wouldn’t be doing this on purpose would they?
I rely a lot on web sites such as Toffeeweb to at least get a feel of what is going on, but this latest faux pas is indefensible. They wouldn’t be doing this on purpose would they?
Matthew Lovekin
32 Posted 30/05/2008 at 21:59:54
32 Posted 30/05/2008 at 21:59:54
I’m from Brighton and despite several JJB stores in the city, there are no signs of Everton merchandise. Despite requests apparently they only stock clubs ’with a demand’ which includes the likes of Newcastle, Rangers, Celtic, Real Madrid, Barcelona & LA Galaxy!!! Even the likes of Spurs and West Ham get more of a look in than Everton.
A few years ago, I wanted the black 3rd kit. My girlfriend decided to get it for me for my birthday. She had to go to London (50 miles away) to find a shop that sold Everton kit! Even trying to buy merchandise through the club can often prove difficult, it’s like they don’t want the money.
A few years ago, I wanted the black 3rd kit. My girlfriend decided to get it for me for my birthday. She had to go to London (50 miles away) to find a shop that sold Everton kit! Even trying to buy merchandise through the club can often prove difficult, it’s like they don’t want the money.
Joe Ludden
33 Posted 30/05/2008 at 22:15:39
33 Posted 30/05/2008 at 22:15:39
Cheers for the info Col - keep it coming with your contact knowledge. As soon as we flood the market with EFC gear, I can start spending my hard earned again. I hope things change for the better on the merchandise front soon.
Jim Lloyd
34 Posted 30/05/2008 at 20:46:40
34 Posted 30/05/2008 at 20:46:40
Excellent article Anna. It?s hard not to think (at least for me) that Everton have deliberately decided to keep a low profile during the Ciy of Culture year.
I remember reading in the post a few weeks back that each official delegation that vists the city, will have a tour of Anfield,as well as the albert Dock etc. You might not be surprised to hear that this same facility will not be available at Goodison Park.
Paul Mc Cartney does a show at Anfield...fair enough, its just about the biggest venue in the City. But what?s going on at our glorious ground; well sweet Fanny Adams.
I heard Mr Wyness describe the City of Culture as a marvellous advertisement for "Liverpool City Region" what on earth is that?? It?s a politician?/bureaucrats idea to equate us with a sort of Greater Manchester.
Of course it?s going to be harder for us to get recogniton because Liverpool have a reputation over the years attached to the name of the city. However, it wasn?t always the case but we now seem to be surrendering any attachment with our city and I think this is a deliberate tactic by Messrs Kenwright and Wyness. They know that if they go for the publicity, a lot of Blues, including me, will be on their backs, asking why they can?t wait to leave it!
A bit machiavellian I know but when I see the sorry state of our merchandising, I can?t believe that anyone could be so amateurish. Tom, of course they?re not doing this on purpose!!!
Steve Williams
35 Posted 30/05/2008 at 22:07:10
35 Posted 30/05/2008 at 22:07:10
I have read with interest quite a few comments Liverpool are riding on 25 years of sustained success that don't need any marketing its not their local but national and international standing what is their strong point. But imagine if we qualify for the Champions League for the next five years, our marketing will inprove. The Champions League is catching the pulling power of the world cup up and will dominate football. In 50 years the World Cup wil be a league, the likes of our lower leagues will disapear. Everyone wants to follow a winner ? look at the Norwegians: they follow Liverpool because their local football is crapl
Richard Clark
36 Posted 30/05/2008 at 23:02:19
36 Posted 30/05/2008 at 23:02:19
It states on the OS that the new kit is launched on june 5th
alex obrien
37 Posted 30/05/2008 at 23:13:42
37 Posted 30/05/2008 at 23:13:42
Totally agree with you Anna!I have just emailed the merchandising dept at Everton and reiterated what you have just said. It probably wont do anything as this is Everton we are talking about here but i needed to say my piece on the subject.
Rob Jones
38 Posted 30/05/2008 at 23:27:00
38 Posted 30/05/2008 at 23:27:00
’’you should try getting some everton merchandise if your not from liverpool. Basically you can?t.’’
I don’t have that problem, in fact I get very good merchandise from Sports World in Wrexham and I can always find shirts, home, away, 3rd and tracksuits in the JJB in the town centre, I even managed to get my nephew 2 different bibs a baby kit and shit load of dummies, all with Everton branded on them. It’s also the first thing you see when you get off the lift/ up the stairs, I guess I’m just lucky though.
I don’t have that problem, in fact I get very good merchandise from Sports World in Wrexham and I can always find shirts, home, away, 3rd and tracksuits in the JJB in the town centre, I even managed to get my nephew 2 different bibs a baby kit and shit load of dummies, all with Everton branded on them. It’s also the first thing you see when you get off the lift/ up the stairs, I guess I’m just lucky though.
Chris Jones
39 Posted 31/05/2008 at 00:44:46
39 Posted 31/05/2008 at 00:44:46
Everton need to do more in terms of marketing certainly but have any of you lot ever thought of buying your merchandise on the internet, that way the club get to keep all the cash as well.
Ged Simpson
40 Posted 31/05/2008 at 05:38:09
40 Posted 31/05/2008 at 05:38:09
Well put, Anna.
And we are seeking investors?
Would you invest any of your millions and expect a return?
Me neither. You?d be better off in property
And we are seeking investors?
Would you invest any of your millions and expect a return?
Me neither. You?d be better off in property
Joe Ludden
41 Posted 31/05/2008 at 10:14:12
41 Posted 31/05/2008 at 10:14:12
Chris, have you? The 2 most popular quotes on the Everton online "mega"store: 1. Out of stock 2. Only XXXL size available.
Tom Emanuel
42 Posted 31/05/2008 at 11:10:05
42 Posted 31/05/2008 at 11:10:05
When I come up (from Oxford) to games, I usually only stay for the match then head home. So I only really get to see what’s in the megastore, which doesn’t seem too bad for match days. Last season I had a long weekend in Liverpool and was blown away (not in a good way!!) by how poor a showing there is of merchandise in the city centre.
Paul Moorhouse
43 Posted 31/05/2008 at 13:18:35
43 Posted 31/05/2008 at 13:18:35
Great article Anna.
I live in Basingstoke, we have a massive JJB and they dont stock any Everton merchandise, just wall to wall Chelsea, Man U , Arsenal and of course red shite.
I live in Basingstoke, we have a massive JJB and they dont stock any Everton merchandise, just wall to wall Chelsea, Man U , Arsenal and of course red shite.
John Pickersgill
44 Posted 31/05/2008 at 14:13:23
44 Posted 31/05/2008 at 14:13:23
Well said Anna, you can never get what you want in ANY of Mr Whelan?s shop?s when it comes to EFC merchandise.A few years ago I went into the shop in Blackburn. they had Stoke, Villa, Norwich, Newcastle but no EVERTON shirts at all. Try the shop in St Helens... the space given to the RS is 3 or 4 times the size of ours, yet they are supposed to be OUR official merchandiser.
Steve Ashton
45 Posted 31/05/2008 at 14:18:25
45 Posted 31/05/2008 at 14:18:25
Spot on Anna.
Live in Bedfordshire and have 5 JJBs within a 30-min drive. Trying to get the kit last year was a waste of time ? not only did they not stock it but they weren?t even prepared to order it.
The online shop was a complete waste of time as well. I complained to the club and got an unsigned letter in reply thanking me for my contribution and saying that my concerns had been taken on board.
They took them on board so much that at Christmas exactly the same thing happened.
The business with the ladies pink shirts was bizarre as well. You have a product that you know is going to sell really well and generate interest in the club because of the donation to the charity and what do you do - you produce only 1,000 and 2 months late. Crazy!
When Mike Ashley bought Newcastle he also bought 5% of Adidas the club?s kit manufacturer - now there?s a guy who knows what he is doing. If we had someone with half his money and business acumen we?d be unstopable.
As an aside if Ashley and Kenwright are such good friends why did he invest in Newcastle when Kenwright is ?actively looking for investment? for EFC.
Live in Bedfordshire and have 5 JJBs within a 30-min drive. Trying to get the kit last year was a waste of time ? not only did they not stock it but they weren?t even prepared to order it.
The online shop was a complete waste of time as well. I complained to the club and got an unsigned letter in reply thanking me for my contribution and saying that my concerns had been taken on board.
They took them on board so much that at Christmas exactly the same thing happened.
The business with the ladies pink shirts was bizarre as well. You have a product that you know is going to sell really well and generate interest in the club because of the donation to the charity and what do you do - you produce only 1,000 and 2 months late. Crazy!
When Mike Ashley bought Newcastle he also bought 5% of Adidas the club?s kit manufacturer - now there?s a guy who knows what he is doing. If we had someone with half his money and business acumen we?d be unstopable.
As an aside if Ashley and Kenwright are such good friends why did he invest in Newcastle when Kenwright is ?actively looking for investment? for EFC.
Kevin Tully
46 Posted 31/05/2008 at 14:50:47
46 Posted 31/05/2008 at 14:50:47
The R.S. have got 2 outlets in the city centre, their new store in the L1 development is the largest football oulet in Europe. Our merchandising has got to be one the poorest run in the Premier League. Surely our profile has risen because of our European run, so this should now see a rise in our outside revenues. We have to keep raising our profile wherever possible, and not to have a city centre store is an absolute disgrace. It is not all about making a huge profit from these stores,you must attract young support and I believe we are missing out big time. For a small investment you can rely on their support for life.
John Otway
47 Posted 31/05/2008 at 15:46:25
47 Posted 31/05/2008 at 15:46:25
Thank you for a most incisive article Anna. Would you be kind enough to send a copy to Messrs (messers!!) Kenwright and Wyness. You might also be kind enough to ask Wyness to justify his salary and to confirm whether any element of it is based upon the profitability of his employer.
Paul Whitehouse
48 Posted 31/05/2008 at 17:30:15
48 Posted 31/05/2008 at 17:30:15
Has anyone got a picture of the new shirts?
Dave Tootill
49 Posted 31/05/2008 at 20:40:13
49 Posted 31/05/2008 at 20:40:13
I’m in South Africa, with a couple of Everton logo-ed items from relatives to treasure, but I’ve imagined that at the very least Kenwright had marketing skills, in order to survive in the West End. Gawd help us. If you can’t even put shirts on the rack to sell, how can you merchandise an Everton brand which will be associated with a lot of murderers and drug dealers in Kirkby, as opposed to the Liverpool City of Culture?
Rob Nunn
50 Posted 31/05/2008 at 20:18:41
50 Posted 31/05/2008 at 20:18:41
Kevin Tulley
I 100% agree with what you are saying about the merchandising. Frigging difficult to get an EFC shirt in Jakarta I can tell you ....... but I got one in the Umbro store in the end.
Having said that, Evertonians are born ..... We dont pick up little kids and smother them in red! We are better than that arent we? Do we want "fair weather supporters" cause they cant get a shirt they will support another team?
Its all about money in the end isnt it ? NO, its about our football and how, in the end there is only one team in Liverpool!
I 100% agree with what you are saying about the merchandising. Frigging difficult to get an EFC shirt in Jakarta I can tell you ....... but I got one in the Umbro store in the end.
Having said that, Evertonians are born ..... We dont pick up little kids and smother them in red! We are better than that arent we? Do we want "fair weather supporters" cause they cant get a shirt they will support another team?
Its all about money in the end isnt it ? NO, its about our football and how, in the end there is only one team in Liverpool!
Dave Moorcroft
51 Posted 01/06/2008 at 01:04:02
51 Posted 01/06/2008 at 01:04:02
Anna,You know what your talking about.I think our custodians are deliberatly trying to eradicate our influence in our city.I think its all tied in with the Kirkby thing.You know what Anna,I picked thursdays echo up,And in the top right hand corner it said 10 knowsley schools to close.It was about an inch and a half in total.God help us when they get there 1 club 1 city.If 10 schools closing only gets that much coverage where does that leave us if we move to knowsley.
Adam Wightman
52 Posted 01/06/2008 at 02:14:39
52 Posted 01/06/2008 at 02:14:39
I just ordered mine last year off the official Everton site. Came about two days later. Its a bit harsh to expect any supporter of any team to pay 40 notes a season for a new shirt tho IMO. Can?t they just keep the same ones for 2-3 years? I remember one season Man Utd brought one out solely for playing European matches... unbelievable!
Dave Moorcroft
53 Posted 01/06/2008 at 02:22:16
53 Posted 01/06/2008 at 02:22:16
I dont know who designs most of the stuff in our shop, but I think he should be shot. He's way behind the times with his stripes across the chest. I could do better and I don't want paying.
Bilbo Baggins
54 Posted 01/06/2008 at 10:01:55
54 Posted 01/06/2008 at 10:01:55
You may be interested to know that Kitbag have been given the contract to run Evertons merchandising from June 09 , outbiding JJB, so we may see a change........
Anthony Horabin
55 Posted 01/06/2008 at 10:52:13
55 Posted 01/06/2008 at 10:52:13
Yes I do live near a JJB store that stocks our merchandise. Lucky me I guess.
Graham Brandwood
56 Posted 01/06/2008 at 19:33:31
56 Posted 01/06/2008 at 19:33:31
I have not posted any comments since before the big vote last year, but it is this lack of presence in the city centre that concerns me most about the move to Kirkby as opposed to an inner city site. I said at the time that two of the greatest marketing tools the club has for developing the fan base is the stadium and its fans. Youngsters make regular trips to the city centre and can?t fail to be influenced by hordes of supporters gathering arround club shops before games.
We have no presence whatsoever in the city we need a big shop, maybe a cafe/bar in a prominent site,a box office, lots of supporters in their club colours and the best advert of all a visible stadium. We could within a generation be truly the major club on Merseyside; however I fear we will be the biggest club in Knowsley, and most of the people in our great conurbation will only see our stadium at a distance as they speed past on the M57. I hope I am wrong...
Jim Lloyd
57 Posted 01/06/2008 at 22:54:05
57 Posted 01/06/2008 at 22:54:05
Your not wrong Graham. Unless this club gets to understand that the big money is in this city, the future fan base is in this city and we leave it at our peril,we’re goosed.
Anna Spencer
58 Posted 02/06/2008 at 08:23:20
58 Posted 02/06/2008 at 08:23:20
Thanks for the good responses and kind words about the article. I have sent a copy to the marketing department and comments @ evertonfc, just to see if i get any response! I find it highly unlikely but you never know! I started it off saying I wanted it to get to Wyness and Kenwright, but that I doubted it would therefore I hope the people in charge of our "marketing" might shed some light!! I think i just summed up what most of us, especially those in the city centre on the day of it all thought, I know those I spoke with did!!! It's a disgrace!
Peter Roberts
59 Posted 02/06/2008 at 12:31:31
59 Posted 02/06/2008 at 12:31:31
Anna, great article and something that highlights the marketing malaise that seems to eternally surround our club.
However, I can?t help but think that the LCC aren?t absolved from all blame. Liverpool as a city has always prided itself on being a twin-football club city and now that both clubs are both at the better end of the best league in the world, you would hope that a so-called Blue nose (although if Warren Bradley?s Blue then I?m Frank Sinatra) would take the opportunity of the Capital of Culture to promote both clubs of the city. To not do so smacks of ignorance, contempt and downright dislike towards the blue and better half of Merseyside, possibly down to the benefactors of DK and the way both parties have treated each other.
However, I can?t help but think that the LCC aren?t absolved from all blame. Liverpool as a city has always prided itself on being a twin-football club city and now that both clubs are both at the better end of the best league in the world, you would hope that a so-called Blue nose (although if Warren Bradley?s Blue then I?m Frank Sinatra) would take the opportunity of the Capital of Culture to promote both clubs of the city. To not do so smacks of ignorance, contempt and downright dislike towards the blue and better half of Merseyside, possibly down to the benefactors of DK and the way both parties have treated each other.
Graham Brandwood
61 Posted 14/06/2008 at 15:13:36
61 Posted 14/06/2008 at 15:13:36
Just thought I would add this observation. I have just been into town and noticed that concourse house has been turned into the biggest Liverpool FC advert imaginable. Just another example of how I am beginning to feel like a stranger in my own city. Perhaps we should all gather in town before the first home game and walk to Goodison to make a point to the club.
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1 Posted 30/05/2008 at 14:01:08