Season 2011-12
The Mail Bag
Signing Dempsey
33 Comments: I recognise Everton do not have the 7mio to 10mio required to sign Clint Dempsey on top of their first priority of signing Steven Pienaar this offseason. But Dempsey behind Jelavic, with the way Dempsey plays in space, links so cleverly, works so hard and scores and creates so much seems a perfect match for this Everton team.
So here is a suggestion to make it happen: Go make a pitch in America. Everton could become "America's Team". We have a very popular Tim Howard, get a commitment from Landon Donovan to return at the end of the MLS season in December with a commitment to stay for 18 months. This suits US Coach Jurgen Klinsman who is encouraging his top players to play in Europe ahead of the World Cup in 2014. Add Clint Dempsey and Everton's profile in the wealthiest country in the world would go above every English team except Man Utd. I would not rule out a Sports Illustrated cover of the 3 of them and immense coverage in the US of the Everton team, every week.
Don't tell me there is not one US businessman who can't see the financial opportunity from that and make an investment into Everton - even if Robert Elstone could not generate the additional merchandising and commercial income in US by becoming Americas team in the Premiership.
Just a suggestion, could work for all parties.
Graham Broyd, Posted 30/04/2012 at 19:05:22
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Dempsey would be a good signing if we can find the fee.
We need a new Right Back, cover for Left Back, Right Wing, Central Midfield Playmaker, Striker and of course Pienaar.. But we all know it will still be Hibbo and Osman
next season....
We need a new Right Back, cover for Left Back, Right Wing, Central Midfield Playmaker, Striker and of course Pienaar.. But we all know it will still be Hibbo and Osman
next season....
Spot on, Ian.
No Ian, we need Pienaar, a right winger, and someone to play off Jelavic. A new right back and cover for left back would be nice, but I wouldn't be signing covering defenders before adding width and creativity. The problem is that we've needed that for as long as I can remember, every year we're basically two players from a strong and balanced squad. We never get them.
NAIL ON HEAD/>Why on earth can we not captalise on the market in America, as u say there must money to be made, even if Bill doesnt sell, sponsorship,shirt sales! there must be commercial oportunities there, even with Howard & Landon!add Clint even better on all fronts!
If I was a Nike executive and had the opportunity to put him, Howard, Landon in the same side, it would be the best advertising for the football product in the US than it gets. Outlay £20m tops, impact pretty huge.
Look at it the other way round..
If 3 english basketball players played for let's say the Sacramento Kings for example, how many Kings shirts do you think would sell in the UK?
Basketball would still be a minority sport here.
It would take success to get us interested in basketball the same as it would to get meaningful numbers of yanks to get interested in football stateside.
So until Everton challenge for the title or USA win the World Cup, I don't think the opportunity or the market is as big as many might assume.
The best you could hope for is a soccer mad oil barron investor IMO.
If 3 english basketball players played for let's say the Sacramento Kings for example, how many Kings shirts do you think would sell in the UK?
Basketball would still be a minority sport here.
It would take success to get us interested in basketball the same as it would to get meaningful numbers of yanks to get interested in football stateside.
So until Everton challenge for the title or USA win the World Cup, I don't think the opportunity or the market is as big as many might assume.
The best you could hope for is a soccer mad oil barron investor IMO.
Is football really that big in America? I know it's getting more and more popular but when I was over there, I was sat in a bar with about 40 TVscreens scattered around and the national team were playing but nobody took any notice whatsoever. They just weren't interested.
Cahill and 5 million might do it you know.
Jamie Barlow
The States is a big place. Just because the bar you sat in had no interest does not really show any meaningful case study. Maybe the bar next door was packed with soccer fans!!!!!
The States is a big place. Just because the bar you sat in had no interest does not really show any meaningful case study. Maybe the bar next door was packed with soccer fans!!!!!
Dean, I didn't mean any offence. It was a genuine question. I know nothing at all about football in America.
And it was a sports bar.
And it was a sports bar.
Jamie Barlow
You could be right! I have no idea these days. When I was in Texas early 90's before the WC they were a bit wary of our game. For all I know they in general have not changed.
You could be right! I have no idea these days. When I was in Texas early 90's before the WC they were a bit wary of our game. For all I know they in general have not changed.
Jamie,
I'm an American and I've lived in the States all my life except for a couple years in NW England (2000 - 2002) when I started following Everton. The sports bar you visited was typical. You'll find a few soccer bars in large cities, but not many.
I would love to see Dempsey, Donovan, and Howard all playing for Everton, with Magic Johnson and the group that just bought the Los Angeles Dodgers as new owners. Unfortunately I'm not your typical American sports fan. Maybe it could work though... only a small percentage follow Premier League football, but ESPN is playing a game a week now on Saturday mornings, and there are a lot of us over here...
I'm an American and I've lived in the States all my life except for a couple years in NW England (2000 - 2002) when I started following Everton. The sports bar you visited was typical. You'll find a few soccer bars in large cities, but not many.
I would love to see Dempsey, Donovan, and Howard all playing for Everton, with Magic Johnson and the group that just bought the Los Angeles Dodgers as new owners. Unfortunately I'm not your typical American sports fan. Maybe it could work though... only a small percentage follow Premier League football, but ESPN is playing a game a week now on Saturday mornings, and there are a lot of us over here...
My doubts are only because America has already got American Football, Baseball and Hockey, which I suspect are watched by far more people than Soccer. It would have to be something special for Americans to really take notice of an 'unfashionable" club like Everton.
I think it's worth a go though. I like the idea of Howard, Dempsey and Donovan playing for us.
I think it's worth a go though. I like the idea of Howard, Dempsey and Donovan playing for us.
Drew (284) - Way off the mark. English basketballers in the NBA? C'mon now.
" It would take success to get us interested in basketball the same as it would to get meaningful numbers of yanks to get interested in football stateside". You clearly don't live here.
Basketball is nothing in England; infancy at best. Soccer is played everywhere here.
Even Americans who despise soccer know who Landon is. Every American who follows our National team knows who Clint is. That's 10s of million American fans of the game.
The only reason Everton doesn't have a major profile over here is because of Kenright and them.
Under whom, we won't " challenge for the title".
Kenright OUT!
" It would take success to get us interested in basketball the same as it would to get meaningful numbers of yanks to get interested in football stateside". You clearly don't live here.
Basketball is nothing in England; infancy at best. Soccer is played everywhere here.
Even Americans who despise soccer know who Landon is. Every American who follows our National team knows who Clint is. That's 10s of million American fans of the game.
The only reason Everton doesn't have a major profile over here is because of Kenright and them.
Under whom, we won't " challenge for the title".
Kenright OUT!
I am born in Liverpool, but have lived in the USA for 25 years. In the North East there are loads of sports bars showing soccer. Free plug for D'Arcys in Bradley Beach!! Granted the games are not going to touch the ratings for American Football, (NFL) but someones watching Fox Soccer, Fox Soccer Plus, ESPN , ESPN 2 , ESPN3 games. I was in the Bronx Tuesday..a bunch of guys were talking about the Man U game. Theres 300 plus million here; enough room for the sport to grow. By the way universally Everton are seen by the TV pundits as a well-coached hard to beat team. They love Tim Howard. Even Steve McManaman says kind words about us. But we are way behind Man U, Chelsea, Liverpool in fan support, so its a hard road to build a fan base...stinking the joint out in pre-season games (like Philly last season) doesnt help.
Jamie (309) - "My doubts are only because America has already got American Football, Baseball and Hockey",
You left out basketball, the 2nd-most game played by little kids after soccer.
We're the 3rd-most populated country on earth. Best I see it, China is way more into basketball then soccer. India is a cricket country.
Most little kids in the States (girls included) kick the ball more than they play any other sport.
No doubt about the future of the game over here. Unless anyone thinks MLS' goal is to be a feeder league for Europe. Does anyone think that? Hahahaha.
I wish Everton would step up and take advantage of its good will in giving Americans a chance. Signing Clint would enhance that advantage.
You left out basketball, the 2nd-most game played by little kids after soccer.
We're the 3rd-most populated country on earth. Best I see it, China is way more into basketball then soccer. India is a cricket country.
Most little kids in the States (girls included) kick the ball more than they play any other sport.
No doubt about the future of the game over here. Unless anyone thinks MLS' goal is to be a feeder league for Europe. Does anyone think that? Hahahaha.
I wish Everton would step up and take advantage of its good will in giving Americans a chance. Signing Clint would enhance that advantage.
James #323 "Basketball is nothing in England; infancy at best."
Didn't we invent the game, only we call it netball?
Didn't we invent the game, only we call it netball?
David (281) - Simple solution.
Kenright OUT!
Kenright OUT!
Ian (283) - LD's been a Nike athlete for years. Come December (end of MLS season), he's one year left on his contract and Galaxy are well-known to have to blow up their current roster because of the salary cap.
Beckham's just be re-signed. He's in. But removing LD and Keane (a passenger anyway) frees up a ton of cash for Arena.
Who knows? Except knowing a certainty. Landon's a Nike athlete and a popular one.
Beckham's just be re-signed. He's in. But removing LD and Keane (a passenger anyway) frees up a ton of cash for Arena.
Who knows? Except knowing a certainty. Landon's a Nike athlete and a popular one.
Problem is, Everton as a club seem to have a shit policy for promoting the club overseas. I live in asia, and spend a fair amount of time in Thailand, home of our main sponsor. There is in my experience little coverage of the association between Chang & Everton, but I have seen both Utd and City promoted through Singa beer. Posters adorning walls have images of Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea players.
Where I live in malaysia, United are everywhere. Credit cards, fast food joints. One of their partners is Mr Potato (Classic posters with Rooney under the product name), a bit like pringles. Last month they had a promotion, Gary Palister and Ronny Johnsen hosted a evening. They sighed autographs next to a fake PL trophy, and The Utd - Everton Match was shown on a cinema sized screen infront of a hall of red wearing Malaysians, most having no idea who the former players were. Nobody gave a toss about Everton. This sort of thing cost bugger all, but gives higher profile. Both QPR and Cardiff are Malaysian owned, guys Walk around KL in QPR shirts even if they are in a relegation battle.
When I lived in Aus, Cahill was the main man, and having just signed Lucas Niell, we had 2 of the highest profile Aussie players in our team. Giant posters of both players hung next to roads & in malls (in Nike kits!). Most aussies I knew didnt know where they played their club football! Niell signed only 4 months after the FA cup final appearance.
I know due to the current success (or lack of it) that Everton wont get the attention of the current top teams, but to have so little promotion in places where we have potential interest because of international players, product partners etc seems baffling.
Where I live in malaysia, United are everywhere. Credit cards, fast food joints. One of their partners is Mr Potato (Classic posters with Rooney under the product name), a bit like pringles. Last month they had a promotion, Gary Palister and Ronny Johnsen hosted a evening. They sighed autographs next to a fake PL trophy, and The Utd - Everton Match was shown on a cinema sized screen infront of a hall of red wearing Malaysians, most having no idea who the former players were. Nobody gave a toss about Everton. This sort of thing cost bugger all, but gives higher profile. Both QPR and Cardiff are Malaysian owned, guys Walk around KL in QPR shirts even if they are in a relegation battle.
When I lived in Aus, Cahill was the main man, and having just signed Lucas Niell, we had 2 of the highest profile Aussie players in our team. Giant posters of both players hung next to roads & in malls (in Nike kits!). Most aussies I knew didnt know where they played their club football! Niell signed only 4 months after the FA cup final appearance.
I know due to the current success (or lack of it) that Everton wont get the attention of the current top teams, but to have so little promotion in places where we have potential interest because of international players, product partners etc seems baffling.
As far as I'm aware Fulham is in West London not America.
Dempsey would be an awesome signing but I can't see it happening. Spurs, Arsenal, Newcastle etc all interested and, unless we sell, we can't afford £7m+ for someone his age.
Please can we refer to football asl 'football'(as in 'foot'+'ball' = 'football') and not 'soccer' as we are EFC not ESC.*
We may be arguing here to be the 2nd team to be an oupost of US Soccer East on Merseyside but I am hanging on to tradition for dear llife. I'd also call the 'EPL' the First Division if I thought I had a chance of getting away with it.
Apologies for being a pedant.
* I would accept 'footy' or even 'togger'
We may be arguing here to be the 2nd team to be an oupost of US Soccer East on Merseyside but I am hanging on to tradition for dear llife. I'd also call the 'EPL' the First Division if I thought I had a chance of getting away with it.
Apologies for being a pedant.
* I would accept 'footy' or even 'togger'
While I'm on one, I'll put a shout out for teams numbered 1 to 11 without squad numbers.
The compulsory dress for for a footballer should consist of centre part hair, handlebar moustaches, heavy cotton shirts with collars, shorts below the knee and hobnail boots. Tackles up to and including a point one inch below the chin are acceptable and now I'm off to get a resupply of my medication....
The compulsory dress for for a footballer should consist of centre part hair, handlebar moustaches, heavy cotton shirts with collars, shorts below the knee and hobnail boots. Tackles up to and including a point one inch below the chin are acceptable and now I'm off to get a resupply of my medication....
How about "Association Football" Joe?
I'm with you on First Division, but I'll go further - 1 point for a draw, two points for a win.
Let's just hope "playoffs" aren't introduced. It's gotten so bad here in the states that the Basketball and Hockey have more playoff time than regular season, and Baseball is trying to go that way as well.
I'm with you on First Division, but I'll go further - 1 point for a draw, two points for a win.
Let's just hope "playoffs" aren't introduced. It's gotten so bad here in the states that the Basketball and Hockey have more playoff time than regular season, and Baseball is trying to go that way as well.
Steven
Association Football...bit formal aren't you?? :-D
Some advocates in the US were arguing to ban draws altogether a while back I think?
PS Yellow card for 'gotten'! ;-)
Association Football...bit formal aren't you?? :-D
Some advocates in the US were arguing to ban draws altogether a while back I think?
PS Yellow card for 'gotten'! ;-)
During the world cup in America didnt they want it to be 1 point for a goal inside the 6 yard box,2 points for a goal in the 18 yard box and 3 points outside the area.
Ian (#283) Why would any Nike executive want to do it? They are probalby a multi - billion $ sports company, so they hardly need the publicity.
Brian - Americans love to promote their own. All 3 are star US players, I think all have Nike agreements, US have a Nike kit deal as do we. EPL has a bigger and bigger profile.
The cost to Nike would be peanuts to make the deals happen, which wouldn't be an option for another top 5 club as no guarantee these would play.
A Li Tie deal only better, if you will.
The cost to Nike would be peanuts to make the deals happen, which wouldn't be an option for another top 5 club as no guarantee these would play.
A Li Tie deal only better, if you will.
Stupid iPad. Li Tie deal I meant.
Joe (470) - " I am hanging on to tradition for dear llife".
Then surely you have no problem with the word soccer. ENGLAND's "traditional" word for the game, not the US's. What country you think we got the word soccer from?
Then surely you have no problem with the word soccer. ENGLAND's "traditional" word for the game, not the US's. What country you think we got the word soccer from?
James
I understand the etymology, as an abbreviation of "Association", but tradition is not the same as origin or age. I knew that before I posted. In my lifetime and quite a bit before also, 'soccer' has not been a traditional name for 'football'
I prefer to watch 'football' with its connotations as the working man's pastime - and I realise it isn't any more before someone tries to tell me.
I'd prefer not to watch 'soccer' with its implications of branding, franchise, image rights, 3 clubs capable of winning the league and Royston Drenthe attitudes.
Can't really see him on the bus with the supporters going to the game - his gangsta hangers on would take up the top deck.
Boys' pen anyone?
I understand the etymology, as an abbreviation of "Association", but tradition is not the same as origin or age. I knew that before I posted. In my lifetime and quite a bit before also, 'soccer' has not been a traditional name for 'football'
I prefer to watch 'football' with its connotations as the working man's pastime - and I realise it isn't any more before someone tries to tell me.
I'd prefer not to watch 'soccer' with its implications of branding, franchise, image rights, 3 clubs capable of winning the league and Royston Drenthe attitudes.
Can't really see him on the bus with the supporters going to the game - his gangsta hangers on would take up the top deck.
Boys' pen anyone?
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213 Posted 02/05/2012 at 17:59:35
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