Blues stars immerse themselves in Tanzania community

A bunch of millionaire footballers cooking in a hotel and a some cursory visits to the unfortunates.

PR bollocks.

If Koeman moans about fitness levels when the season begins, we will all know why.

Can the club and the local people both benefit Eddie? In the end, all these pre season tours are PR.

It would've been far easier for them to fly in, train behind closed doors, play and fuck off – would you have preferred that?

The other side of the coin is it doesn't just give the kids and team they meet a boost, a great memory and exposure (I wasn't aware of the albino story for instance); it reminds our lads that in the real world it's not all about Baby Bentleys, Twitter accounts and how big their "loyalty" bonus is going to be if they leave – and it'll probably help them get to know each other more as a team than any night out in the "dentists chair" too.

Sorry, I'm all for being cynical but there are limits.

I suppose when the players visit sick kids in hospital or when the likes of Naismith would help the homeless at Christmas, that's all PR bollocks too? Unbelievable.

The Club are number one in the UK for their community work. I have a mate who works in the Arsenal Foundation (EitC equivalent). He constantly refers to Arsenal's ambition as becoming as good as Everton are in the local/national community.

Well done.

Sunderland were sponsored by Invest in Africa or something similarly named. Did they go and do this?

We're sponsored by a company so there's no obligation on us. We could just take the money and run. Instead we're trying to build up a fan base over there, and not from wealthy fans.

It sounds to me like more influence from the amazing Denise Barrett-Baxendale who is doing some truly remarkable things in our name.

It hasn't been reported elsewhere, so I'll mention it here. We've had our community efforts recognised by the Vatican and we are to attend a sports conference with the Pope. It seems we're the only football club invited.

More evidence of how we do things differently?

I think EitC is a good thing. James, Did I mention Naisse visiting sick kids? No, you asked that and answered it yourself. Charlie – this tour is not part of our community work in Merseyside.

My point is simple. We are sponsored by a big "Gaming" Company that has been, along with others,opening lots of shops to entice the young male populace to bet on Premier League games (along with other matches). There have been lots of reports in the local press from concerned people who are worried about what this is doing to the vulnerable.

I posted an article about this when SportPesa became our sponsors. If you are really community minded you should do a bit of research into the background to this situation, before unloading your outrage on me. Just Google -"gambling problems in east Africa" ,and you will see what I'm on about.

Anyone know if it's possible to watch the friendly?

Whilst I share some concern about being sponsored by a gambling company of any nationality (though I like a bet myself), I think the EFC visit to Dar es Salaam is on balance a very good thing.

I am no expert on Tanzania but I would say:

1. There is excitement in Tanzania about having a Premier League team visit. Everyone seems to know about it and be enthusiastic and seems to speak with pride about having the team here.

2. In "the West", some people may have become discouraged from visiting, investing in or working with African countries by some of the news stories in recent years including the global rise in fear of terrorism. By visiting Tanzania & PRing it, Everton can reassure people to invest etc. This can only be good for Africa.

Now's the time the players on the pitch matched our superb community work.

COYB

As I only really read about Everton, sometimes I have to question whether our social initiatives are any better than anyone else's or whether I only want to see it that way because it's my club. That article goes to show that the work is being recognised far beyond what I would have expected and must be something better than anyone else, so a congratulations to those involved in that.

And Eddie (#3): Who pissed on your Corn Flakes this morning?

As a bit of a side-issue, when England are usually cooped up together throughout any tournament they're invariably struggling in the successful countries, and especially Germany, prompt their players to get out of the hotel amongst the local community.

If the Pope gives us a Silver Cup as recognition for EitC we will have to nip out for some Brasso. The previous bottle has rusted in the basement of the Main Stand and is sealed solid.

I also believe there was a UN project in Africa whereby mobile phones were traded to children for their guns. And to be fair, a gun is a sort of terrifying currency, taking it away is probably a good thing, but it certainly makes the poor poorer... Giving them (at least in theory) access to the internet and the possibility to set up a bank account takes the terrifying aspect away and keeps the currency. SportPesa has a very active role in this market.

But yes, I imagine it's relatively easy to link that mobile bank to one of SportPesa's gaming rings.

You spouted about "millionaire footballers" being hypocrites and risking their fitness for footy because they spent time on young people in Tanzania. You're worried about losing games because our players sought to help handicapped children and the most horribly persecuted and mutilated victims of the albino superstition.

That post was pure bollocks, mate... and Mike Green (#5) pegged it just right.

Stop whimpering about people "unloading their outrage on me"... that wasn't outrage, just a few kicks in the pants, and in my book you had 'em coming.

The football element. This is only a gentle start to the process of building match fitness so not exactly pivotal.