Welcome to Liverpool FC, the brand.

[SkippyjonJones]

Liverpool is no longer about the fans. It never really was but the game going fans were the clubs main source of income years ago. The myth about the special bond between players and fans never existed. We have been used and exploited to the clubs benefit for years and it is never going to change. If anything it will only get worse.

 

Now that players are so expensive to buy and maintain the club has to find new and exciting ways to keep the money flowing in. A new ground is one prime example ? why do we need it? Ultimately its all about money. We have it and they want it. Our views are unimportant and as long as we keep handing over the cash then why should the club care what happens to the fans who have been around forever or those that follow in their footsteps. The ultimate fan? For the fanbase its one who can get to every ground, sing their hearts out for the reds and knows all the songs ? and preferable goes for a few beers and a laugh along the way.

 

For the club ? it?s the day tripper. Turn up, swipe your card at Liverworld, buy food and drink inside the ground and take your pictures and go home to listen to more games on the Eseason ticket and buy the family a few more shirts for Christmas.

Sure the club loves its European nights ? but only from the aspect of promoting the Liverpool brand even further. Fuel the fire and create more demand. That puts more pressure on the need to get a new ground with its corporate boxes, meet the explayer lunches and wine before the game. Wine for my men? Yeah ? but only if LFC can grab a share of the profits.

 

The fans who turn up in all weathers? The ones who have been there, done that and worn the HJC t-shirt. Forget it. your lot is the 6pm KO away to Portsmouth on a Sunday night. Doesn?t affect the club profits that way.

 

Just think how much money the club makes from a season ticket holder over the course of a season ? now compare that to letting the same seat out to day trippers 18 times plus cup games. Guess who the club really wants. What input does the average fan have on the running of the club? Nothing in reality ? sure a few token meetings and maybe the odd letter from Rick Parry but that?s as far as it goes.

 

The idea of just supporting Liverpool is enough for the fans ? turning up to every game better still ? but unless you are paying for more than just your seat then you are a potential unit for exploiting and if you won?t be turned down that path then there are plenty out there that will ? and you know it ? just try to get a ticket for a big game and when you do look around at some of the beauts that turn up..

 

Slowly but surely the Game ? and Liverpool ? is turning down the path of a pure money generating venture. Its important to be on the Telly as much as possible because that generates exposure and awareness ? and a tinge of jealousy and envy in the viewing public. Once that culture is embedded then it becomes more important to many people to be at the game than fully understand what?s happening in front and around them. The big ticket item is what they are after. To be able to phone up their friends and family to tell them where they are. And stuff the supporting of the team ? that?s not what they are there for. How do we know that?s the route LFC have chosen to take? Simple ? April 15th 2006. The televising of the Game to reach a broader public has become more important than Hillsborough. LFC know that even if the game was boycotted by fans that there would be enough willing takers of the tickets ? and even if there wasn?t ? its only an away game and they?ll get the TV money as well. Liverpool have finally made the decision that the ?new? fan, the ones who consider getting a ticket and boasting about it to their friends more important than going to the game and actually supporting the team, the ones will provide the income for the future by buying into the Liverpool brand and its sponsors now outnumber the old style fans who actually give a damn about the history and tradition of the club.

The older style fans actually made enough of a critical mass that they did matter to the club and at least that was acknowledged in passing to the media but that time has gone. The new fans are here and they are here to stay unless another new diversion can be found for then. In 2 years it will be Liverpool ? City of culture. Who do you think that the club will be targeting to spend more money on the LFC brand? Its not the regulars who have the spare cash to be fleeced out of ? its all the visitors that will pile into the city that are ripe for the picking. I know it, you know it and the Club knows it. If you are a regular then you are now a minority.

?They say our days are numbered?. Well they might well be.

 

 

?This is Anfield ? another fine Liverpool Football club product?

 

 

5.15 KO on 15th April? Welcome to the future.

[Guest AnfieldGrass]

Stop ya bitching.

[Nebraska Red]

sadly NHE is right.

 

the same can be said in so many sports. the soul of the club , whether it is football, rugby, cricket, American football or baseball, is on sale to the highest bidder from the corporate world and the individual willing to spend a ton of money to see a game.

 

over here, NFL and college football teams are making season tickets harder to hold on to. the NFL will add a fee to the cost of the matches, the colleges insist on a huge "contribution" to the college coffers.

 

there are more single game tickets out there on the web, so people like me can buy a couple of tickets to a game in Minnesota or Denver, Los Angeles or Lincoln, Nebraska. I will go and spend money on a hotel, buy food and clothing to celebrate my trip.

 

I've done it in the past and I'll do it again next season.

 

Looks like Liverpool FC has, or is going, down the same road.

[Guest Budo]

**** Off and do something else then!

 

I'm sick of this s****!

[RP]

It's been the same for years. I remember someone giving up their season ticket in the 80s for similar sentiments to those being expressed here.

[Stew F]

Welcome to reality. Any business that stands still and gets all dewy eyed about its past (as emotional as that past may be) will fail. Business by its very nature must be moving forward, embracing every opportunity to increase profits and decrease costs.

 

Go to any country fair for example, these go back much further than football in this country. no longer are they a lovely day out for the family where you can buy local produce, drink locally made wines, meet local business people ala. Vicar of Dibley. They are an unashamed greedy bunch of local businessmen who sell catering contracts to the highest bidder, fill the centre ring with the cheapest possible entertainment and fleece everyone who attends.

 

They, like modern football are an attempt to extract as much wonga from the visiting public as they can.

 

I'm afraid what you are complaining about is much deeper rooted than LFC, you need to take a good look around and get some perspective.

[Beardsley]

Harsh, but sadly it's true.

 

Being an OOC'er, I actually felt guilty when I read it - but then again, I've supported this club since '68 and I'll be damned if I'll stop comming to Anfield (or New Anfield if you like), using far too much money and loving every second I spend in Liverpool.

 

But, I definitely see your sentiment and what you are describing is the death of the beautiful game. From what I've heard, many "old school" fans have changed their support to a rugby team, because there, they have found what they have been sorely missing in football these days.

 

If I should join the glominess for a while, I think football is actually killing itself with the wages, the dandy primadonnas on the pitch, faking and cheating, silly ticketprices, and too much exposure in general. I'll bet most of us would want the game that we love to be honest, with hard working, no frills players who are one of us.

 

That said, Let's Go Redmen!!!! Beat the crap out of Benfica.

[Guest Budo]

"Any business that stands still and gets all dewy eyed about its past" ... Becomes everton football club.

[chiliking]

Well, If you wanna win, you have to make money. If you wanna find real sportmanship and idealistic clubs, make a trip to the 60's.

What we are witnessing these days, are called evolution or progress (not necessarily the same). The first money-oriented club was the one that discovered that people actually was willing to pay money( or eggs or perhaps a chicken) to watch a game.

I see your point. However I don't think that the club decides wether their games will be televised or not.

[Guest Kev]

Answer me this.

 

Why do Liverpool or Everton not have a 'big' game on Grand National weekend ?

 

Because the police cannot cover both events properly and the match is moved to the Sunday anyway.

 

So the fixtures can be altered when needed.

 

Liverpool should never play on 15th April, it's one date in the football calender that should never see a Liverpool player kick a ball.

 

Bradford City have refused to play on May 11th and so far they never have.

[Guest evil_billy]

Yes, yes and youngsters these days don't appreciate football they way we used to. Everything was better back in the old days of horse-shed stadiums and just 'the lads' going to matches with none of these OOTs about.

 

Football as a sport has moved on, and yes, now the club needs to make money, and serious amounts of it too, if they're to keep up with the demands of their 'fans'. How people can say that we have to match Chelski and waffle on about losing our rose-tinted traditions baffles me.

 

As for not playing on the 15th April, I think it would be better to play and remember them rather than stopping everything in a rather empty gesture of remembrance.

[beejay]

NHE, sorry you feel that way.

 

I can only think you couldn't have been in Istanbul on 25th May 2005. Or the Chelsea semi-final. And won't be going tonight.

 

Of course the fans make a difference - to the club and the players - and even though it costs me far more than I can afford, it's worth every penny. Even a 0-0 v Charlton or a long trek to Portsmouth on a sunday night, because that's what makes the big games taste so sweet.

 

I'm dead proud of our enormous fanbase. Anywhere you go on this planet you will find someone in Liverpool colours and it always makes me smile (scousers here, scousers there, scousers every f*** where) and to my tiny brain it's got f* all to do with a brand.

[Guest toadboy]

It's always been a brand, OK the brand is being exploited more and more by Carlsberg, Sky, ITV, the printed press etc. these days.

 

Not wanting to start a massive out of town debate but why do so many people follow the reds from all over the globe? BRAND.

 

When something is as popular as Liverpool FC it's going to get the a*** ragged out of it for financial gain. In fact I'd argue our board haven't done enough to capitalise on this, everyone else, 3rd parties have, Liverpool FC have been marginally successful off the pitch inspite of their amateur leadership.

 

I don't particulary like the capitalist exploitation of the club but it's the world we live in, the system we inhabit. We either play the game or go away.

 

IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE BRAND AND WANT CORINTHIAN VALUES, GO AND WATCH MARINE, VAUXHALL, CHESTER OR PRESCOT.

[oakie bob]

Answer me this.

 

Why do Liverpool or Everton not have a 'big' game on Grand National weekend ?

 

Because the police cannot cover both events properly and the match is moved to the Sunday anyway.

 

So the fixtures can be altered when needed.

 

Liverpool should never play on 15th April, it's one date in the football calender that should never see a Liverpool player kick a ball.

 

Bradford City have refused to play on May 11th and so far they never have.

 

When Hillsborough happened Liverpool vowed never to play in this day, sadly they have forgotten the fans to keep the PL happy, How many Liverpool fans will wont to be at the service and then have to get to blackburn, nope the club dont give a s*** about us

[Gomez]

I agree we should never play on the 15 April, however I am less convinced it is the club's fault, more The FA's and Blackburn's. Not sure what powers the club have.

 

The Grand National argument is different, the FA listen to the police, they don't listen to the fans.

[Guest Kev]

I agree we should never play on the 15 April, however I am less convinced it is the club's fault, more The FA's and Blackburn's. Not sure what powers the club have.

 

The Grand National argument is different, the FA listen to the police, they don't listen to the fans.

 

The Grand National arguement is to prove that fixtures can be moved without Sky's interference or request.

[Guest toadboy]

The club is at fault Gomez.

 

I don't think THEY want to play on the Friday or any other date.

 

If Liverpool FC don't want to play a fixture on the 15th April any year they won't have to.

[Paul B]

I agree we should never play on the 15 April, however I am less convinced it is the club's fault, more The FA's and Blackburn's. Not sure what powers the club have.

 

 

I believe Blackburn are willing to change and I'm certain the FA (Premiership) wouldn't stand in the way. No, this is Liverpool FC's doing I'm afraid.

[Gomez]

The club is at fault Gomez.

 

I don't think THEY want to play on the Friday or any other date.

 

If Liverpool FC don't want to play a fixture on the 15th April any year they won't have to.

 

Is it not the decision of the home side? I remember a couple of years ago we tried to get an away match at Ipswich moved for some reason or other (probably due to participation in Europe) and Ipswich point blank refused as they knew they'd have a better chance of beating us if we were tired. The FA refused to back us and we had to play it. (we drew)

 

It is the same with Blackburn, you can accuse LFC of not trying hard enough, maybe, but ultimately there is nothing they can do if the FA don't back them. Blackburn won't move it because they are on TV and will presumably get a big payday, which they won't get if it is moved (like Sunderland lost out because of our WCC match, and tried to sue us and the FA for loss of Sky revenue) Liverpool presumably don't want to be left open to being sued, and I can't blame them. I am sure Liverpool would much prefer keep the fans happy, the idea that they go out of their way to p*ss us off is ridiculous, why would they not want to play on the Sunday? There is no midweek match is there?

 

I remember this all started when the fixtures were released (and before Sky picked that game) I am sure Liverpool asked for the FA to move it, and the FA said no.

 

As I said above, we should not play on 15 April, but as I am not prepared to boycott the match (I wasn't going anyway) and send back my Sky card with an explaining letter, I can't get too irate about it without feeling hypocritical.

[Guest Kev]

Is it not the decision of the home side? I remember a couple of years ago we tried to get an away match at Ipswich moved for some reason or other (probably due to participation in Europe) and Ipswich point blank refused as they knew they'd have a better chance of beating us if we were tired. The FA refused to back us and we had to play it. (we drew)

 

It is the same with Blackburn, you can accuse LFC of not trying hard enough, maybe, but ultimately there is nothing they can do if the FA don't back them. Blackburn won't move it because they are on TV and will presumably get a big payday, which they won't get if it is moved (like Sunderland lost out because of our WCC match, and tried to sue us and the FA for loss of Sky revenue) Liverpool presumably don't want to be left open to being sued, and I can't blame them. I am sure Liverpool would much prefer keep the fans happy, the idea that they go out of their way to p*ss us off is ridiculous, why would they not want to play on the Sunday? There is no midweek match is there?

 

I remember this all started when the fixtures were released (and before Sky picked that game) I am sure Liverpool asked for the FA to move it, and the FA said no.

 

As I said above, we should not play on 15 April, but as I am not prepared to boycott the match (I wasn't going anyway) and send back my Sky card with an explaining letter, I can't get too irate about it without feeling hypocritical.

 

The decision to play at 17:15 and be on Sky was only made about two weeks ago.

[Gomez]

The decision to play at 17:15 and be on Sky was only made about two weeks ago.

Not sure of you point there? Still doesn't mean Blackburn would happily to move it.

Still not sure why the LFC wouldn't want it moved to Sunday.

[Poolfrog]

Harsh, but sadly it's true.

 

Being an OOC'er, I actually felt guilty when I read it - but then again, I've supported this club since '68 and I'll be damned if I'll stop comming to Anfield (or New Anfield if you like), using far too much money and loving every second I spend in Liverpool.

 

But, I definitely see your sentiment and what you are describing is the death of the beautiful game. From what I've heard, many "old school" fans have changed their support to a rugby team, because there, they have found what they have been sorely missing in football these days.

 

If I should join the glominess for a while, I think football is actually killing itself with the wages, the dandy primadonnas on the pitch, faking and cheating, silly ticketprices, and too much exposure in general. I'll bet most of us would want the game that we love to be honest, with hard working, no frills players who are one of us.

 

That said, Let's Go Redmen!!!! Beat the crap out of Benfica.

 

You may not hail from Liverpool, but I can assure you that the notion of many "old school" fans - amongst which I include myself - changing their support to a rugby team is laughable. Rugby has never been popular with the man on the street in Liverpool. The most famous rugby league player in the world (whoever that may be - I have no idea) could walk along Lime Street and not a soul would recognise them, despite Liverpool's close proximity to St Helens and Widnes. In rugby union, possibly that Wilkinson bloke would be recognised by some, but only because of his constant media exposure, not through knowledge of the game.

[Andy @ Allerton]

I get paid to go to the game.

 

Hurrah

[jimmylibel]

NHE - while I don't disagree with any of the points you've made I do think it is important to take a step back think why there is such emphasis on making money. As you rightly point out we need to make more money to put good players on the pitch.

 

And why do we need to have better players on the pitch? Because we want to be successful and win things.

 

And why do we want to be successful and win things? To keep the fans happy.

 

So really it's all our own fault.

[elmer dinkley]

It's been the same for years. I remember someone giving up their season ticket in the 80s for similar sentiments to those being expressed here.

 

I stopped going after Hillsborough, that was my last game for nearly two years. I was disgusted with the club for playing the cup final, I wanted us to walk away, just didn't have any time for football then. When the club said, 'we'll play because it's what the fans would've wanted", I realised they were only interested in making money. I actually hated the club for a while, like having a bird who betrays you so you start hating her with the same passion you once loved her. Time passed and in the end I came back. But I'm under no illusions about what the club is about, they wanted to forget Hillsborough as soon as it happened. It's bad for business.

 

Personally, I think the day we play on April 15th will be a sad day for the club. I was hoping the fans would make such a noise that they'd change it. But when I read posts describing not playing as 'an empty gesture of remembrance', well, it was never gonna happen.