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I've just read the article about Everton returning to Utah for their pre-season tour. I think the club are missing a big trick if they don't go to Australia.
My sister is currently living out in Melbourne and informs me that Tim Cahill is massive over there. We also have a lot of contributors on here who are over in Australia. With Tim Cahill's popularity there is no reason, if Everton played the market over there properly, why every Aussie can't be supporting the blues and wearing Everton shirts with Cahill written across the back.
Surely Everton's marketing department must realise this? Considering other clubs are touring South Africa and the Far East to 'expand their fanbase' and make more money, why aren't Everton thinking along the same lines and exploiting the Australasian market? Or is there more potential in that well known hotbed of soccer Utah?
Alan Clarke, Posted 29/04/2009 at 08:12:47
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It’s struck me that while the Far East tour a few years back was part of the Club’s sponsorship deals, the trip to the US, particularly the last couple of years, have been more about squad preparation than brand development. That certainly seemed to be the case of two years ago when all they did was have a closed-doors practice match in LA.
Assuming the Australia option is now off the table — I can’t see them going there and to American — you’d have to assume that the club felt it was a long way to go for a pre-season get-together. Who knows? Maybe we’ll get some indication of the reason from EFC once everything is firmed up.
The trip to Bangkok in 2005 was a killer because of the humidity coupled with the heat. It took a lot out of the players physically, and may have been a factor in our slow start to that season with the Champs League Qualifier etc. Notlob and Citeh were the other two teams - can’t remember how they fared at the start of the league season.
There were a few thousand local fans there, but in terms of commercial revenue, given you can buy decent fake tops in Chatuchak market for about 3-4 quid, it’s negligible. There was good PR work done though with the Chang-Everton school in Phuket for orphans of the Asian Tsunami.
Of course at that time of year, climate wouldn’t be an issue in Oz. Football though generally is a poor relation to Cricket, Rugby and Aussie Rules, with the exception of the World Cup and AFC Asian Cup (where Tim was the first Aussie goalscorer in the finals for both competitions!)
I’m sure there’d be a buzz around him whilst we were there, but in terms of longer lasting effects, I seriously doubt there would be much.
The US trips always seem to do okay in terms of squad bonding (apart from this pre-season when half the squad wasn’t fit or had been sold!) It could also be a way of showcasing to potential investors - a better market than Australia - notwithstanding the current global economic situation.
There were a few thousand local fans there, but in terms of commercial revenue, given you can buy decent fake tops in Chatuchak market for about 3-4 quid, it’s negligible. There was good PR work done though with the Chang-Everton school in Phuket for orphans of the Asian Tsunami.
Of course at that time of year, climate wouldn’t be an issue in Oz. Football though generally is a poor relation to Cricket, Rugby and Aussie Rules, with the exception of the World Cup and AFC Asian Cup (where Tim was the first Aussie goalscorer in the finals for both competitions!)
I’m sure there’d be a buzz around him whilst we were there, but in terms of longer lasting effects, I seriously doubt there would be much.
The US trips always seem to do okay in terms of squad bonding (apart from this pre-season when half the squad wasn’t fit or had been sold!) It could also be a way of showcasing to potential investors - a better market than Australia - notwithstanding the current global economic situation.
Its not just the marketing aspect that they appear to be missing the trick on.
Possibly more importantly is the chance to pick up new talent by setting up coaching schools and getting publicity you couldn’t afford to pay for because of the Cahill effect.
Possibly more importantly is the chance to pick up new talent by setting up coaching schools and getting publicity you couldn’t afford to pay for because of the Cahill effect.
Matt, you are right, i was there for that 2005 tournement and Everton looked knackered and it ruined the start of the season
The USA is a potential bigger market than Australia, although Alan is spot on, Tim is "the" Aussie soccer player, and doing wonders for us there, however its a long, long haul and could have the same effect as Bangkok.
The USA has more kids picking up a football and playing soccer as there first sport than the other traditional games ie American football/baseball, and its scaring the shit out of the authorities there.
Its a potential that Everton cannot overlook, we have Jimmy Gabriel, Paul Rideout and Adrian Heath plying ther trade out there, so lets add to it.
Soccer will not make headline news as the media give it little airtime, but theres a lot of fans interested in the game, so lets get established asap
The USA is a potential bigger market than Australia, although Alan is spot on, Tim is "the" Aussie soccer player, and doing wonders for us there, however its a long, long haul and could have the same effect as Bangkok.
The USA has more kids picking up a football and playing soccer as there first sport than the other traditional games ie American football/baseball, and its scaring the shit out of the authorities there.
Its a potential that Everton cannot overlook, we have Jimmy Gabriel, Paul Rideout and Adrian Heath plying ther trade out there, so lets add to it.
Soccer will not make headline news as the media give it little airtime, but theres a lot of fans interested in the game, so lets get established asap
As an American born Evertonian let me just say that it would be a good opportunity for Everton to hit the states. The game against the MLS-All-Stars is usually very exciting - broadcast on national television. Footy/soccer is a lot bigger over here than you think. I have returned to university and I see Man U, Liverpool, Chelsea. Arsenal, Barcelona, etc shirts everyday. The day after the FA Cup semi, I proudly donned my Blue 2005 shirt, and I got compliments all day about the "great game" we played and even a guy on a motorcycle speeding by, spotting me and shouting "Everton!!!" We might be more recognized here than we realize, and it might be a good time to put our name out over here.
The team could fly to Oz.
Then stop off in the states on the way back.
First class from Sydney to L.A.
Just an idea.
Then stop off in the states on the way back.
First class from Sydney to L.A.
Just an idea.
Alan, spot on. At Everton, our marketing department always seem to try and ’jump on the bandwagon’.
There is a saying in marketing that if you try and ’jump on the bandwagon’ then you are inevitably too late. The Far East is already ’taken’ and with moves by the top 4 to tap into the USA and Africa. Nobody has tried Australia who want football as they are trying to stage a World Cup and changed World Cup qualifying groups in order to try and qualify more often.
Now Viduka and Kewell are pretty much passed their best, the Aussie national hero is ... Tim Cahill.
We need and should be taking advantage of this and NOW. We could have the whole of Australia rooting for Everton with a little bit of effort and intellect on behalf of our ’marketing’ department.
There is a saying in marketing that if you try and ’jump on the bandwagon’ then you are inevitably too late. The Far East is already ’taken’ and with moves by the top 4 to tap into the USA and Africa. Nobody has tried Australia who want football as they are trying to stage a World Cup and changed World Cup qualifying groups in order to try and qualify more often.
Now Viduka and Kewell are pretty much passed their best, the Aussie national hero is ... Tim Cahill.
We need and should be taking advantage of this and NOW. We could have the whole of Australia rooting for Everton with a little bit of effort and intellect on behalf of our ’marketing’ department.
As an Aussie Evertonian
GO TO FUCKIN AUSTRALIA!!!!!
GO TO FUCKIN AUSTRALIA!!!!!
I understand the reasons behind the team heading to the US again but as an aussie toffee I’m very dissappointed.
The club would pull big crowds in Australia, as previously said Tim Cahill has done wonders for the club down here. Everton results are always in the news.
We can continue to grow the pie down here in Australia and a tour would surely raise the profile further. We also have some of the best sports facilities in the world so player recovery would be taken care of it would just be the flights. To finish on a bad note bad note I’m afraid to report the Kopite ratio is as bad down here as anywhere else.
The club would pull big crowds in Australia, as previously said Tim Cahill has done wonders for the club down here. Everton results are always in the news.
We can continue to grow the pie down here in Australia and a tour would surely raise the profile further. We also have some of the best sports facilities in the world so player recovery would be taken care of it would just be the flights. To finish on a bad note bad note I’m afraid to report the Kopite ratio is as bad down here as anywhere else.
I think Aussies are natural Everton-recruits because of Tim Cahill’s status in Oz and what he means for the identity of our club.
I was able to convert an Aussie friend of mine to become an Evertonian, partially to my eloquence and charisma (well, something like that) , and partially due to the way I explained how talsimatic Tim Chaill is to us Evertonians. His birthday fellthe on FA-Cup semi-final weekend and we bought him an Everton-top with Cahill on the back. Quite a birthday that was...
I am sure there are other Aussies out there who can be converted the same way.
COYB! FTRS!
I was able to convert an Aussie friend of mine to become an Evertonian, partially to my eloquence and charisma (well, something like that) , and partially due to the way I explained how talsimatic Tim Chaill is to us Evertonians. His birthday fellthe on FA-Cup semi-final weekend and we bought him an Everton-top with Cahill on the back. Quite a birthday that was...
I am sure there are other Aussies out there who can be converted the same way.
COYB! FTRS!
An indication of Tiny’s popularity down here is that Aussie media always refer to our club as Tim Cahills Everton, never the other way round..
The only knowledge most Ockers have of Everton is its the club Tim plays for. Due to that this could be the only place in the world where we are at least as well known as the Sky 4.
A growing number of Aussie kids are wearing Everton shirts all bearing Cahill’s name. I don’t think the powers that be at Goodison full recognise just how much Tim is idolised down under.
Everton could use all that as a lever to prize open a lucrative market.
The only knowledge most Ockers have of Everton is its the club Tim plays for. Due to that this could be the only place in the world where we are at least as well known as the Sky 4.
A growing number of Aussie kids are wearing Everton shirts all bearing Cahill’s name. I don’t think the powers that be at Goodison full recognise just how much Tim is idolised down under.
Everton could use all that as a lever to prize open a lucrative market.
As another Aussie Toffee, I’m also gutted. Given that we don’t get that many high profile teams coming here, these games usually get plenty of media attention and good crowds. Add Tim Cahill to the mix and you’ll get even more.
As mentioned earlier, the sporting facilities in Oz are top class and I’m sure it would make an ideal pre-season training and conditioning base.
Opportunity lost me thinks.
As mentioned earlier, the sporting facilities in Oz are top class and I’m sure it would make an ideal pre-season training and conditioning base.
Opportunity lost me thinks.
The beauty of Australia is that we all have an english team we support, regardless of the fact we follow other codes first and foremost.
Cahill is without the biggest ’soccer’ star we have by a huge margin - he and the scwartz robbed for Player of the Year btw.
Cahill is without the biggest ’soccer’ star we have by a huge margin - he and the scwartz robbed for Player of the Year btw.
Would be huge if they came down here to Australia. The sky 4 are heavily supported down here but I would say the next supported team would be Everton. Would be good for publicity and I think would boost supporter numbers further.
Football IS growing in Australia by most measures (although A-League attendances were down last season) but before we get carried away the facts suggest there is no REAL MONEY in soccer in Aussie and it will be a long time before there is any.
The facts:
1) average attendance last season 12,180
2) typical adult season ticket price $200-$300 (that is about 100 quid!)
3) salary cap: $1.9m for 19 players, plus 2 players outside the cap (any salary). That means an average salary of about 950 quid a week
4) TV revenue about $20 mill per annum -or c 10 mill pounds (EPL deal is c 900 mill quid p.a.)
Melbourne Victory (my ’other’ team after the Mighty Blues) has attendances which are Premier League in size (25,000+ average, 40-55,000 for big games) but this just highlights how sad the P&Ls of the other teams are in terms of comparative financial muscle.
In this scenario I don’t see how the EPL or Everton can see Aussie as an attractive market when Asia is ready and up for it, and the potential in the US is so much bigger.
Which is a shame as I’d die to see the Boys play here.
The facts:
1) average attendance last season 12,180
2) typical adult season ticket price $200-$300 (that is about 100 quid!)
3) salary cap: $1.9m for 19 players, plus 2 players outside the cap (any salary). That means an average salary of about 950 quid a week
4) TV revenue about $20 mill per annum -or c 10 mill pounds (EPL deal is c 900 mill quid p.a.)
Melbourne Victory (my ’other’ team after the Mighty Blues) has attendances which are Premier League in size (25,000+ average, 40-55,000 for big games) but this just highlights how sad the P&Ls of the other teams are in terms of comparative financial muscle.
In this scenario I don’t see how the EPL or Everton can see Aussie as an attractive market when Asia is ready and up for it, and the potential in the US is so much bigger.
Which is a shame as I’d die to see the Boys play here.
I live in NZ, we had the Galaxy across here two years ago to play the local side the Phoenix, it was a sell out and on TV. Now some of that was Beckham but the majority is the desire to see quality football down under. Alot of commercial activity for shirts etc is a bonus and in these uncertain times financially then surely any extra revenue is good revenue. In addition I would say that the quality of the sides down here are at least comparable to some of the teams played in pre season warm ups in Austria and certainly the US and Far East. On a personal note I would be over the moon at the chance to our beloved play live.
As an American, I actually believe the better trip for the club would be Australia.
The problem coming over here this year is the venue. Salt Lake City is in Utah and there is no real pull from any surrounding areas. In short, it’s in the middle of no where.
Soccer is growing here, no doubt about it. It’s an up and coming sport, but definately plays second fiddle to at least 6 other sports: Football (American), baseball, basketball, Nascar (yeah, cars...), hockey, etc etc....
The future is bright with the silly number of kids that play. I own a business that thrives on printing kits and providing uniforms for schools and leagues. My second largest account is the local soccer club. The three area clubs have 750, 1500, and 1000 kids enrolled. The sport is going to grow as our youth here play and enjoy the sport - and they are doing it in droves.
But with very little interest in this game I think b/c it’s not in a market that can draw huge interest, EFC should have taken advantage of the "Cahill factor" and built it’s brand in Australia.
Of course, living in Florida, I might just be bitter I can’t go.... It’d cost prob $2 to $3 thousand to fly my family out, eat, lodge, etc.
I’m pissed I can’t go. I’d give a leg for my kids to meet the players. Especially Howard (American) and Cahill. Cahill being a testament to his marketing power, hence my belief a trip down under would better serve the club.
The problem coming over here this year is the venue. Salt Lake City is in Utah and there is no real pull from any surrounding areas. In short, it’s in the middle of no where.
Soccer is growing here, no doubt about it. It’s an up and coming sport, but definately plays second fiddle to at least 6 other sports: Football (American), baseball, basketball, Nascar (yeah, cars...), hockey, etc etc....
The future is bright with the silly number of kids that play. I own a business that thrives on printing kits and providing uniforms for schools and leagues. My second largest account is the local soccer club. The three area clubs have 750, 1500, and 1000 kids enrolled. The sport is going to grow as our youth here play and enjoy the sport - and they are doing it in droves.
But with very little interest in this game I think b/c it’s not in a market that can draw huge interest, EFC should have taken advantage of the "Cahill factor" and built it’s brand in Australia.
Of course, living in Florida, I might just be bitter I can’t go.... It’d cost prob $2 to $3 thousand to fly my family out, eat, lodge, etc.
I’m pissed I can’t go. I’d give a leg for my kids to meet the players. Especially Howard (American) and Cahill. Cahill being a testament to his marketing power, hence my belief a trip down under would better serve the club.
Come to Australia, boys. Football is booming over here and Cahill is a cult hero. I’m a South Australian and have been a fanatical Blues fan since I was 10 but have only made it to Goodison once (fittingly it was freezing cold and raining, I was sick as a dog, it was a god-awful match against Bolton - Rooney’s second-last match for us I believe - and we lost ... but who cares, I got to see Big Duncan slot one away!). I’d travel to Perth or Melbourne to see Everton and buy tonnes of merchandise. Believe me, a Down Under trip would be far more beneficial to our club in the long term than yet another pre-season game played in front of 10,000 polite but bemused Mormons in the Don’s Sporting Goods And Winky Burger Arena. COYB!!!!!!
Michael well said, couldn’t agree more.
I’m not saying that US toffees aren’t fanatical, but the fact that Everton havn’t been down under in so long means there are fans down here who would do just about anything to see the blues play and would take the opprotunity to stock up on anything Everton wish to peddle.
Its a moot point though as the club have already decided our fate. By all means try to gain a foothold in the US but don’t forget there are toffees all over the world.
I’m not saying that US toffees aren’t fanatical, but the fact that Everton havn’t been down under in so long means there are fans down here who would do just about anything to see the blues play and would take the opprotunity to stock up on anything Everton wish to peddle.
Its a moot point though as the club have already decided our fate. By all means try to gain a foothold in the US but don’t forget there are toffees all over the world.
Another South Aussie here. EPL is huge throughout the whole of the country and I’m sure if games were played at least in Melbourne (MCG) and Sydney (Aussie Stadium) the stadiums would be packed.
AFL supporters from Adelaide regularly track the 800 k’s to Melbourne to watch the Adelaide Crows and I’m sure they would to watch Everton.
I remember in the 80’s Spurs came over to play in Adelaide and Football Park drew a pretty huge crowd. I can’t remember the last time an EPL team came to Australia, let alone Adelaide.
I’m sure every sports fan in Australia knows who Tim Cahill plays for. It’s time to cash in on that and get a lot more Blue Chang shirts around the place than there are now. I’m sick of seeing the three red shirts and the blue shirt we won’t see on 30 May!
AFL supporters from Adelaide regularly track the 800 k’s to Melbourne to watch the Adelaide Crows and I’m sure they would to watch Everton.
I remember in the 80’s Spurs came over to play in Adelaide and Football Park drew a pretty huge crowd. I can’t remember the last time an EPL team came to Australia, let alone Adelaide.
I’m sure every sports fan in Australia knows who Tim Cahill plays for. It’s time to cash in on that and get a lot more Blue Chang shirts around the place than there are now. I’m sick of seeing the three red shirts and the blue shirt we won’t see on 30 May!
I would love the chance to see Everton play in Australia!!! Think it would draw a big crowd as football (or soccer as they like to call it over here Annoying!) is getting more and more popular especially after the World Cup.
Would be fantastic if they came to Sydney!
Would be fantastic if they came to Sydney!
Adelaide Utd V Everton......mmmmm. Just dreaming like. Looks like there would be a few of us there!
Guys, I have Aussie friends in Melbourne who I am indoctrinating (is that a word?) into the Everton family. Was wondering, from the posts above, if Everton merchandice is easily available in Melbourne / Oz in general, and if so, any names of outlets that can be supplied would be grand, so I can pass info on!
For my part, Id love us to tour Oz, would give me a good excuse to go visit! COYB!!
For my part, Id love us to tour Oz, would give me a good excuse to go visit! COYB!!
Joeynkoo: In Melbourne, basically the only Everton merch you can get is the home shirt, for about $150 and you could get it from any rebel sport or either the soccer fever store or the world game shop which are a few hundred metres apart in swan st. richmond. I think the World Game Shop might also have a bit more everton stuff like mugs and that but it’s not certain
An Everton tour to Aus would be huge, they would sell out Telstra Dome in Melbourne no worries, which holds about 56,00, they’d sell out wherever they went. Sadly, from the news we’re getting over here it seems like the idea of them coming is dead. They signed the contract with Perth with the condition that they could get another game in another city, apparently Sydney agreed but then Everton wanted a third but there weren’t any takers. Since then Perth have got a game with Wolves sorted, Queensland are focusing on getting Fulham and Celtic and the rest haven’t said too much, and Everton have now made other plans.
An Everton tour to Aus would be huge, they would sell out Telstra Dome in Melbourne no worries, which holds about 56,00, they’d sell out wherever they went. Sadly, from the news we’re getting over here it seems like the idea of them coming is dead. They signed the contract with Perth with the condition that they could get another game in another city, apparently Sydney agreed but then Everton wanted a third but there weren’t any takers. Since then Perth have got a game with Wolves sorted, Queensland are focusing on getting Fulham and Celtic and the rest haven’t said too much, and Everton have now made other plans.
An Aussie pre-season tour would knacker the players out, with the jet-lag of 48 hours worth of flying time, to the other side of the world.
Yes it would be good the Everton following in Aussie but not good management for pre-season preparation from a fitness standpoint.
Yes it would be good the Everton following in Aussie but not good management for pre-season preparation from a fitness standpoint.
Brian,
Are you joking or what? Cahill, Schwartzer, Neill & co do this trip a few times a season, normally flying back on Weds/Thurs for a game on Sat or Sun. Not ideal obviously but in the case of an organised pre-season team trip, presumably there would be plenty of time between flying back and playing an EPL game. I cannot see how this would be an issue.
Are you joking or what? Cahill, Schwartzer, Neill & co do this trip a few times a season, normally flying back on Weds/Thurs for a game on Sat or Sun. Not ideal obviously but in the case of an organised pre-season team trip, presumably there would be plenty of time between flying back and playing an EPL game. I cannot see how this would be an issue.
If Everton were simply placing a MLS team I would say go to Australia...but they are playing the MLS Allstar team....thats the best of the league, representing all teams. As a result watched by 20 x more people then a typical everton vs MLS team friendly of past years. It is also being shown on ESPN in the US. This is GREAT exposure.
Another point.....kids in the US are playing organized soccer on a saturday morning more than any other sport (american football, baseball, basketball)...therefore the future is bright for the sport.
Another point.....kids in the US are playing organized soccer on a saturday morning more than any other sport (american football, baseball, basketball)...therefore the future is bright for the sport.
I must say it is great to see Blues from across the world on here but I thought part of the reason Everton decided to tour America was down to the murder with Anderlecht a few years back. Thus maybe the thinking was ?the futher away we go not so many of them will be following us to cause trouble? ? rather than "let's try to make EFC known across the pond"... Now to me THAT would be typical Everton ? maybe I?m wrong but I wouldn?t put it past the clowns in charge here!
TO Michael Owen-Brown:
The match against Bolton in 2004 was also my first Goodison game. It was a crazy experience and met Rooney’s old man at the blue kipper lounge afterward. Didn’t understand any of his drunken ramble.
I’ve managed to treck over there once more since and saw us beat rovers thankfully.
The match against Bolton in 2004 was also my first Goodison game. It was a crazy experience and met Rooney’s old man at the blue kipper lounge afterward. Didn’t understand any of his drunken ramble.
I’ve managed to treck over there once more since and saw us beat rovers thankfully.
A trip to Australia was talked about, but last I heard they only had one fixture and were struggling to get another. My guess is this fell through, hence the trip to the US instead
Its not that we DON’T want to go, just that it proved to be impractical to achieve
Its not that we DON’T want to go, just that it proved to be impractical to achieve
I’ve been over here (west Australia) for 2 and a half years now. The original news that everton were comnh over was fantastic by now a major disappointment that they’re not. Soccer as they call it here is rubbish at top level, a league but at grass roots it’s massive. I coach and play at a club which has 800 members and although it run by ex pats there a a wealth of nationalities involved from Croats to Africans. I turn upto training with my EFC ky on and a lot of the kids ask me "what team a that ?" if everton where to come over here it would be a masice education for the kids over here and if they did it right like getting out into the community clubs they could expand their fan base and up their profile greatly. It’s about sowing the seeds for the long term future and over here the kids are ripe for picking up, and then their kids and their kids follow.
Btw has anybody got a spare for the final ?
Chris,
Perth had lined up a fixture and from reports here, several other clubs were vying for the second fixture, notably Melbourne and Sydney. From local reports, both Melb & Syd were very keen, so I’m not sure what happened there.
Perth had lined up a fixture and from reports here, several other clubs were vying for the second fixture, notably Melbourne and Sydney. From local reports, both Melb & Syd were very keen, so I’m not sure what happened there.
Andrew Hicks.
Lots of kids here in Oz play organised soccer thru schools and clubs. Unfortunately it doesn’t carry thru to youth or senior levels. I think this is a similar situation to the States. Maybe the athletes of the future are being distracted by PS3, xbox, etc!!!
Lots of kids here in Oz play organised soccer thru schools and clubs. Unfortunately it doesn’t carry thru to youth or senior levels. I think this is a similar situation to the States. Maybe the athletes of the future are being distracted by PS3, xbox, etc!!!
Yes we are very popular down under and our popularity is growing in the USA.
However the value of these trips is questionnable in my view.
The summer period where this all takes place is right smack in the middle of the most important transfer window when the manager needs to be at least in Europe to prioritise and conduct transfer activity. This is all the more important given our limited funds year on year.
Plus the playing of matches against US/Mexican/Australian opposition provides less benefit to Everton as a club than playing against a range of european sides.
This is a personal view but I would like to see us increase our experience playing european sides that would see a real benefit as we aspire to european qualification each year.
I would also like to start the season well with any signings and transfer business settled by our manager before a last minute scramble i.e. last summer.
I know David Moyes likes the USA facilities etc but we should want to warm up for our season a bit closer to home for me.
However the value of these trips is questionnable in my view.
The summer period where this all takes place is right smack in the middle of the most important transfer window when the manager needs to be at least in Europe to prioritise and conduct transfer activity. This is all the more important given our limited funds year on year.
Plus the playing of matches against US/Mexican/Australian opposition provides less benefit to Everton as a club than playing against a range of european sides.
This is a personal view but I would like to see us increase our experience playing european sides that would see a real benefit as we aspire to european qualification each year.
I would also like to start the season well with any signings and transfer business settled by our manager before a last minute scramble i.e. last summer.
I know David Moyes likes the USA facilities etc but we should want to warm up for our season a bit closer to home for me.
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It has been mooted that EFC might fly to Australia this summer, play a few teams there and in doing so I suppose hope to engender some more support. Instead, it appears that the USA is back on the cards.
WTF?
Does anyone at EFC really believe that support for Everton can be garnered in a nation that follows American Football, Basketball and Baseball? Soccer is hardly a big sport over there (except maybe for young kids).
Given the option, would it not be better to go to Australia and profit from playing one of their national heroes - the first Ozzie goalscorer in the World Cup Finals no less! Admittedly, Australia has a much smaller population that the States, but surely they have a larger following for soccer, and what with a Unique Selling Point like Tim Cahill Everton could make a big name for themselves.
Is it me or is this a no-brainer which the club seem to have got wrong yet again?