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Is It Just in Our Name?
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As we have said many times, we are just not attracting overseas investment. Is it in our name? Everton FC... who in the Middle East, South East Asia etc have actually heard of us?
No association with a major city, would Abu Dhabi Investments have bought Man City is its name was Eastlands FC? I doubt it. Not saying we should change our name but, if we were Liverpool City FC, and the other lot were Liverpool Utd FC, would things have been different???
Mike Hargreaves, Posted 08/05/2011 at 02:47:51
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How can you buy something thats not for sale.
Over to you Billy Bullshit !!!!!
Over to you Billy Bullshit !!!!!
Yes you're right, Randy Lerner knew just where Aston was on the place map and look at that big club London FC that gets all the investment.
Of course it's inconceiveable now to insert the name "Liverpool" into our title but it is surely an important part of brand recognition which is crucial in today's world of profile, marketing and sponsorship? After all, the Beatles came from Liverpool not from Everton.
On a smaller scale, admittedly, but West Bromwich Albion went back to that name after being just Albion, Leyton Orient went back to that name after just being called Orient, so roots do seem to be important in brand recognition.
Of course, there are exceptions such as Benfica, Juventus, Ajax etc but they usually have experienced European success over a lengthy period of time, are the pre-dominant team in their city or already have major sponsorship - we have none of those..
So, yes but what can we do about it now? We can hardly call ourselves Liverpool Everton!
On a smaller scale, admittedly, but West Bromwich Albion went back to that name after being just Albion, Leyton Orient went back to that name after just being called Orient, so roots do seem to be important in brand recognition.
Of course, there are exceptions such as Benfica, Juventus, Ajax etc but they usually have experienced European success over a lengthy period of time, are the pre-dominant team in their city or already have major sponsorship - we have none of those..
So, yes but what can we do about it now? We can hardly call ourselves Liverpool Everton!
Mike, to be fair I have often thought the same. Yes people will say whay about Villa, but Villa have won the European cup, and Birmingam is a huge city in the heart of England. But at the end of the day, if our ground wasn't in such a crapy state and made of wood, we would be better placed.
WE can dissect this all day, but if the Commonwealth Games hadn't been in Manchester, would city have attracted Shinawatra and the current Arabs if still at Main Rd? Christ last time they won something Elvis was still alive!
Ray, have West Brom or Leyton Orient attracted investment off the back of reverting to their place names?
It's ludicrous to suggest it's all in the name. Look at QPR, they've attracted investment. How have they done it? They're in a shitty little ground and were languishing in the 3rd tier and now they're owned by 2 of the world's richest men. They attracted investment because they were FOR SALE. They were for sale at the price they were valued at.
Everton aren't for sale unless someone comes in with a ridiculous offer. With our debt and need for stadium redevelopment, the club is only really worth £1. But because fat cat Bill wants a huge return on his investment, no one in their right mind will buy us.
It's ludicrous to suggest it's all in the name. Look at QPR, they've attracted investment. How have they done it? They're in a shitty little ground and were languishing in the 3rd tier and now they're owned by 2 of the world's richest men. They attracted investment because they were FOR SALE. They were for sale at the price they were valued at.
Everton aren't for sale unless someone comes in with a ridiculous offer. With our debt and need for stadium redevelopment, the club is only really worth £1. But because fat cat Bill wants a huge return on his investment, no one in their right mind will buy us.
Alan, with QPR don't forget the London factor. The land that the crappy ground on alone must be worth a fortune.
Also, don't believe the "fat cat" theory - whatever else I think about Kenwright. The crappy ground and being the second team (in most people's eyes) in Liverpool, however ....
Also, don't believe the "fat cat" theory - whatever else I think about Kenwright. The crappy ground and being the second team (in most people's eyes) in Liverpool, however ....
In some countries, Everton are known as 'Everton Liverpool'; Russia, for example. And I have a photo of a poster, back in 1965, for the game in Germany between 'FC1 Nurnberg and FC Everton Liverpool'.
Mike, the fact that you took the time out to put the article together, deserves some comments.
My main point is that our founder fathers decided to call us EVERTON, because it was the are of the city, we started, although St Domingo must have been given some thought.
But that name would not have rung true.
And that brings into the question of why they did not name us after the city, considering that the liver bird was on the original badge.
As for is the name being the reason we are not getting any investment, NO.
My main point is that our founder fathers decided to call us EVERTON, because it was the are of the city, we started, although St Domingo must have been given some thought.
But that name would not have rung true.
And that brings into the question of why they did not name us after the city, considering that the liver bird was on the original badge.
As for is the name being the reason we are not getting any investment, NO.
Trevor #9 I worked in various countries in Europe a few years ago and my Italian, Dutch and German colleagues all knew who Everton were and where they played. The idea of name alone stopping a buyer as it doesn't reflect their location doesn't wash and the second team pish doesn't either.
Look at our opponents yesterday, not that long ago they were down a couple of leagues below us but climbed their way back up, looked to do something about their stadium and have been bought and sold a few times and no awash with money. Compare that to us, slowly turning to dust with the same clueless chairman with no short term strategy never mind medium to long term and no sign of change even if you were to use the bleeding hubble telescope on it's future.
Look at our opponents yesterday, not that long ago they were down a couple of leagues below us but climbed their way back up, looked to do something about their stadium and have been bought and sold a few times and no awash with money. Compare that to us, slowly turning to dust with the same clueless chairman with no short term strategy never mind medium to long term and no sign of change even if you were to use the bleeding hubble telescope on it's future.
Gavin #11, I too have worked in France and Germany and the overwhelming number of people I talked to did not know where we came from. I even talked to a steward at Middlesborough a few seasons ago who didn't know that we'd come up from Liverpool!
Lack of investment, crappy ground etc are all valid arguments - more so than the name argument - but lack of profile just adds to the problem. The world has changed - it's global, demands brand recognition, profile, marketability etc
Lack of investment, crappy ground etc are all valid arguments - more so than the name argument - but lack of profile just adds to the problem. The world has changed - it's global, demands brand recognition, profile, marketability etc
Gavin, you are giving them a bit too much credit there! I'm sure they would still be at Maine Road if it had not been for the commonwealth games, and to the best of my knowledge the commonwealth games bid was not masterminded by Man City. Its only because of the new stadium that they have really attracted the investment that they have. With all respect to Man City, they landed on their feet. Also, you can't say BK has not looked to do something about the stadium ... you may not like what he thought about doing ... but he certainly thought, and tried to do, something about it.
Having people running the club with some business acumen would be a start.
Mark, I wonder how much clout Green & Earl had in DK.
Arsenal?
Charlie, well being from London, having considerable re-sale value on Highbury, finishing either as Champions or runners up for 8 successive years, regularly in Europe etc certainly meant that their profile was high enough to attract investment to build the Emirates in 2006 - without anyone needing to know that they are from London!
I will be honest, living in Australia I do have people ask me from time to time "where is Everton?" I tell them in Liverpool, and some don't seem to get it "so Everton is near Liverpool?" "no you fucking moron! IN Liverpool IIIINNNN!!!!".
Mind you I don't think these people seriously follow the premier league, so maybe it shouldn't shit me as much as it does.
To answer the question, yes I think the redshite have an obvious advantage having 'liverpool' in their name, but no, I don't think this is anywhere near the sole reason we havnt "found" investment.
If the U.S government can find Osama, then Everton can find Investment/new owner. Mind you, I think Bullshit Bill is more like the Pakistani government in this context "oh I had no idea he was living in a densely populated, highly militarized area of our own country for the past five years, what do you know..."
the 24/7 search for investment shall go on!
Mind you I don't think these people seriously follow the premier league, so maybe it shouldn't shit me as much as it does.
To answer the question, yes I think the redshite have an obvious advantage having 'liverpool' in their name, but no, I don't think this is anywhere near the sole reason we havnt "found" investment.
If the U.S government can find Osama, then Everton can find Investment/new owner. Mind you, I think Bullshit Bill is more like the Pakistani government in this context "oh I had no idea he was living in a densely populated, highly militarized area of our own country for the past five years, what do you know..."
the 24/7 search for investment shall go on!
The problem with putting "Liverpool" in our name is that nobody from overseas really gives a shite about that particular city (face facts, lads.)
We need to be a bit more opportunistic here. how about "Everton London FC?"
or, perhaps a bit more creatively, "Everton London Olympics 2012 FC" or "Everton Wills & Kate FC"? B.K. would be fighting off foreign investors with a stick.
We need to be a bit more opportunistic here. how about "Everton London FC?"
or, perhaps a bit more creatively, "Everton London Olympics 2012 FC" or "Everton Wills & Kate FC"? B.K. would be fighting off foreign investors with a stick.
Kenwright's legacy will be the failure to secure the Kings Dock by any means, reverse mortgages or whatever (even a loan from the billionaire shareholder, Lord Grantchester). Imagine the TV pictures from every home game next to one of the most recognised waterfronts in the world??? Any interested investor would have soon known where Everton was.
Totally agree, Stephen ? if Kenwright turned down Gregg's offer of £30 million, just what type of investment is he looking for? Surely that was looking a gift horse in the mouth and walking away.
Exactly right Steven!
Perhaps the mooted move to Kirkby just wasn't ambitious enough - how does Everton Belfast or even Everton Dublin sound?
Nail on Head, Steven @ 20.
Anyway, we will have to take the keys for GP out of Bill Kenwright's "cold, dead hands" to quote olde Chuck...
Hmmmm...
Anyway, we will have to take the keys for GP out of Bill Kenwright's "cold, dead hands" to quote olde Chuck...
Hmmmm...
All over the Middle East, the Premier League is watched and I have personally converted Sudanese, Yemenis and Egyptians to be Evertonians. The Premier League is watched even in Iraq and one Iraqi engineer I worked with is proudly wearing an EFC polo shirt I brought back.
Football is followed very keenly all over Africa and the Middle East and Everton are well known out there. The problem is... marketing and promoting which is done much better by other clubs!!!
But there is certainly no need to even consider changing our name.
Mark, I'm sorry but even the most sycophantyic BK fan can't claim he at least tried to do something about a ground move. KD ? the one and only chance we had ? was well and truly scuppered by the bullshitter's claim to have ringfenced money to pay for it... and, when it looked like the only way to pay for it would have led to him losing control, he launched a media-based tirade to deface a long term friend who was the only reason he was able to buy the club in the first place.
Fast forward a few years and we were led by a fucking supermarket and two Spurs supporters looking for a quick buck at the expense of the club to a completely unsuitable disaster in the form of a flat pack retail park stadium which had more flaws than practicalities. Neither of these paint a rosy picture or claim to fame for BK in terms of stadium move and both were on his watch.
Everton Merseyside?
Everton Dublin is an interesting thought. The trouble is, the place is full of Manure and Shite fans. I have done business in Ireland on and off for fifteen years. In that time I have probably met about twenty Blues.
I know that the following is hardly scientific but I reckon I have had over 1,000 cab trips in all my time in Ireland. And I have met one Dublin cabbie who supports us. Many of the rest (Shite fans excepted) do seem to have a soft spot for us, however. Basically, people have followed success and unfortunately that hasn?t been us.
Everton Dublin is an interesting thought. The trouble is, the place is full of Manure and Shite fans. I have done business in Ireland on and off for fifteen years. In that time I have probably met about twenty Blues.
I know that the following is hardly scientific but I reckon I have had over 1,000 cab trips in all my time in Ireland. And I have met one Dublin cabbie who supports us. Many of the rest (Shite fans excepted) do seem to have a soft spot for us, however. Basically, people have followed success and unfortunately that hasn?t been us.
What about "Everton buy-us-now-please-for-fucks-sake FC"?? If that doesn't attract investment what will?
Over the last 20 years I have travelled all over the world (N. & S. America, C.America, Asia Pacific, Austalia, NZ , all over Europe and N Africa) with my job and I'm absolutely clear that the majority of football fans I've spoken to in my time know Everton, but haven't a clue where we are from, and if you happen to tell them its Liverpool they are straight into Liverpool,Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal because they are the successful clubs and totally overshadow Everton's exploits, and brand awareness.
The real difficulty I have now is that Man City and Spurs are also being brought to the world's attention ahead of us, City because of the "money" and Spurs this season and also because of the London connection.
We are being left behind and the only way of breaking into this lucrative fan base is winning something or making the last 8 of the Champions League, as we all know.
As a footnote the only other club I get asked about at times is Newcastle - you might not like them but again they are well known.
The real difficulty I have now is that Man City and Spurs are also being brought to the world's attention ahead of us, City because of the "money" and Spurs this season and also because of the London connection.
We are being left behind and the only way of breaking into this lucrative fan base is winning something or making the last 8 of the Champions League, as we all know.
As a footnote the only other club I get asked about at times is Newcastle - you might not like them but again they are well known.
Erm....... Chelsea?
I've just finished watching Alan Sugar's programme on football finances and it's hardly surprising that we haven't had anyone come in for us.
Firstly, the prospective buyer would have to buy the club, and it's anyone's guess how much the current regime want for it. Secondly, a new/revamped stadium is a must. Thirdly, they would be inheriting a load of debt. And last, but not least, money to improve the squad.
This particular thread has been done to death, and there are not many people/consortiums that have that kind of money. We're stuck with BK for the foreseeable future, sadly.
Firstly, the prospective buyer would have to buy the club, and it's anyone's guess how much the current regime want for it. Secondly, a new/revamped stadium is a must. Thirdly, they would be inheriting a load of debt. And last, but not least, money to improve the squad.
This particular thread has been done to death, and there are not many people/consortiums that have that kind of money. We're stuck with BK for the foreseeable future, sadly.
Things are getting better... for the first time in 30 years of being overseas I told a local Vietnamese guy I was from Liverpool and he immediately said proudly "I support Everton".
Football is big in Asia and the majority of people know where we come from, the Middle East is different as the majority of their populations are Indian and Pakistani who follow cricket, or Fillipino who follow USA.
Football is big in Asia and the majority of people know where we come from, the Middle East is different as the majority of their populations are Indian and Pakistani who follow cricket, or Fillipino who follow USA.
To be honest I really don't think a sheik will get excited by the city of Liverpool (or Manchester for that matter) so I really cannot understand how it would matter. For most foreigners, London is the only really attractive city in England.
London strikes me as being a bit of a shithole (if you don't mind me saying). Yeah, as a tourist, you go check out Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, etc. But I doubt I would like living there.
What about "Everton England FC", claim the whole freakin country!
What about "Everton England FC", claim the whole freakin country!
Everton FC UK - Claim the state and French Connection must have a few hundred million lying around.
Though we'd probably get the pink kit back.
Though we'd probably get the pink kit back.
Chris B. @19 - excellent stuff. Hilarious.
Where's Bin Laden? In the mountains in Afghanistan. He's not here. Wait, you found him next door?! No, we had no clue! Howbout that!
Maybe we could hire the Navy Seals to find an investor? They'll unearth anything.
Where's Bin Laden? In the mountains in Afghanistan. He's not here. Wait, you found him next door?! No, we had no clue! Howbout that!
Maybe we could hire the Navy Seals to find an investor? They'll unearth anything.
Charlie Percival (17) you mention Arsenal.
It's a good response, but maybe the definite article helps them.
Their constant use of 'THE Arsenal' might make foreign investors think..
"Well there's probably loads of Arsenal's over there, but they must be the one to invest in if they are THE Arsenal".
So...THE Everton anyone?
It's a good response, but maybe the definite article helps them.
Their constant use of 'THE Arsenal' might make foreign investors think..
"Well there's probably loads of Arsenal's over there, but they must be the one to invest in if they are THE Arsenal".
So...THE Everton anyone?
John Houlding registered the name "Everton Athletic" for for the club he spawned after we left Anfield. The FA didn't go for it, so changed the name to you know what.
Would their success have been curtailed any over a name?...Doubt that, but we'll never know.
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1 Posted 08/05/2011 at 08:33:40
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