American Reds

[Ron_Mexico]

im american and i know what its like to support liverpool from far far away. im hoping with american ownership liverpool will have more of a presence in the states. my initial conversion came in 1991 when i was 7. sunshine sports network in florida used to show shortened games and liverpool were on. my dad would tape anything and everything that was on so i could watch it over and over because i was footy mad and dying to watch it. so i watched pool v man city from 1991 about 600 times i reckon lol. my dad then got me a book about football and john barnes was on the cover and there were loads of stories about liverpool so i was hooked from then on. i could only follow the team on the internet, because tv coverage was a joke. espn used to show premier league games back in 1997, then fox had a highlights show, but most of the time i had to wait until the end of season videos to see the reds play.

so i know what its like being the only footy fan growing up, having friends that played but didnt watch it or love the game. no one having a ****ing clue who liverpool were or why i was always wearing their shirts. growing up the world cup was the only time i got to watch football, save for the odd random time they would show highlights from england or something. im venting now. but i hope with american ownership kids that love liverpool over here will get a chance to watch them and buy merch that doesnt cost so much, etc.

and yes all the stereotypes about americans are true.....but they dont apply to everyone

[TartanTerror]

Unfortunately, people from Birkenhead are not only from the wrong side of the River but they're definitely not Scousers. Sorry...

*wipes sweat off brow*

After frantic call to parents - grandmother was born in Liverpool, but they later moved to Birkenhead. I just remember all of the mail being postmarked from Birkenhead, and ,um, assumed it was the correct side of the river. So, I am merely geographically challenged. I blame Bush

And I knew she just HAD to be Scouse, because I spent my entire childhood translating what she was saying for everyone else.

[Joe Le Toff]

They are NHL hockey owners (which is how they met) and that is the fourth largest sport in the USA although I think soon MLS will replace hockey. A couple of things about The NHL...

The NHL had a player lockout a few years ago and cancelled the whole season because player salaries had escalated out of control. So, the owners cancelled the season until the player's union renegotiated their salaries in line with the lower profits the game was making. This has had an incredibly negative impact on the way the game is seen here; The NHL lost their ESPN contract (now they are on a network called Vs that has nowhere near the credibility of ESPN) and lost a ton of goodwill and marketing opportunity. It literally set the game back a decade.

In that regard, I don't think the owners were wrong in the NHL, but it just goes to show you that here, they would rather fold up the entire league than lose money in an unmanageable economic situation. As such, I don't think anyone holds hockey owners in high esteem per se. That said, The Montreal Canadiens are a storied franchise that have a ton of history; The most important team in Quebec, which has its own nationalist movement, traditions, etc. To have a beloved AMERICAN owner of the Canadiens is a big deal in Canada and speaks volumes about Gillett.

Hicks owns a big company, Hicks Holdings, that is a sports and real estate company; They are valued in the billions. He made his money in investment banking, buying and selling companies at a huge profit. The man knows what he is doing with this company. My assumption is that Hick's ownership stake in Liverpool is being filtered through this company and not being financed by his individual wealth; A stake like £225 million represents more than 50% of his personal wealth. This makes me feel much better, because Hicks holdings owns the Dallas Stars of the NHL, The Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball, and several other companies in oil, business, etc.

The thing I see about Hicks is that he has done some of the projects that we want to see happen for us at Liverpool and he has done them very well; Look at the Ameriquest Field project for the Texas Rangers. He built that stadium from the ground up (its a lovely park with a old time baseball feel), and then sold the naming rights for $75 million. That said, the Texas Rangers are not a winning franchise; They are middle of the pack. Same with the Canadiens (taxation in Canada vs USA is a big reason why great players try to avoid Canadian teams in the NHL). But neither team has a Rafa, neither team has a Gerrard. BUT-- Hicks isn't afraid to spend on salary if he thinks it will help him win; He spent $250 million for 10 years on Alex Rodgriguez for the Rangers (the largest ever sports salary contract in the USA) and when he didn't win games, traded him to the Yankees. He wants a return on the investment.

So, I think they'll be fine. I am most interested to see the stadium project go well and to see how their ambitions to win trophies are backed up by the transfer budget (and their hands-on approach to bringing players in). But from a financial stability and growth point of view, these guys are big time and know what they are doing.

my thoughts anyway...

[Mumsafan]

*wipes sweat off brow*

After frantic call to parents - grandmother was born in Liverpool, but they later moved to Birkenhead. I just remember all of the mail being postmarked from Birkenhead, and ,um, assumed it was the correct side of the river. So, I am merely geographically challenged. I blame Bush

And I knew she just HAD to be Scouse, because I spent my entire childhood translating what she was saying for everyone else.

He's just being picky anyway mate - ignore him - most do

[rizzo]

Okay, an other American Red here, from New York. I got hooked first by watching the old NY Cosmos and the German league on TV back in the 70's, Hamburg had this guy named Keegan, who became my favorite player and well, the rest is history as they say.

I hope the new ownership will bring some awareness on this side that there is more to football than Scum and Becks.

And, I'll be over with a friend in a couple of weeks for the match against Sheffield United. It's my first time for a match and I had to get one in at Anfield before it's gone.

For the record, I'm thin, stupid and poor ;-)

[redlancer]

*wipes sweat off brow*

After frantic call to parents - grandmother was born in Liverpool, but they later moved to Birkenhead. I just remember all of the mail being postmarked from Birkenhead, and ,um, assumed it was the correct side of the river. So, I am merely geographically challenged. I blame Bush

And I knew she just HAD to be Scouse, because I spent my entire childhood translating what she was saying for everyone else.

the fact you called your parents to make sure your gran wasn't a woolyback

Tranmere is the team over there

[cobain]

Check this out:

"Scouts have prepared a guide to the Liverpool Reds' squad - including Craig Bellamy, who has 'switched franchises several times in career amid rumors of all-star level jackassery'. It's all here...

Jose (Pep&#233 Reina
Netminder with an impressive 19 shutouts this regular season. Save average of .854 in last five outs. Replaces New Jerzy Dudek as first-choice goaltender after veteran's series of high-profile handling errors. Nicknamed after Pepé Le Pew, the cheese-eating surrender skunk.

James 'The Minister Of Defense' Carragher
Captain of defense and native 'Scouser'. 2963 minutes of field time with powerplay change-up stats of 5-6-3. Awesome displays in penalty zone versus aerial offense plays. Awesome displays at club Christmas parties. Distribution ranked only 245th in EPL. Note: communication may be difficult as James does not speak English.

Steve O'Finnan
Defensive cornerback/outside linebacker ranked six in division for forward offense running plays. Highly-rated change-up, groundspeed. 245 defensive tackle ratio. Proud Irishman: merchandising opportunities with millions of east coast Americans who are 1/64 from Cork. Vital cornerman, new shorts.

Sam Hyypia
Veteran centerblocker famed for aerial rebound ability, composureability, although lacks change-up, questions over groundplay v forwards with nimbleness quotient. Radical air with headbombs from special plays ensures a conversions per season tally average of six. Hails from Finlandland, a country in Europe that is part of the 'Axis Of Pleasantness'.

John-Arnold Riise
Cornerman who regularly features in goalshot of the month sweeps with a left peg rated in top five nationwide for sweetness. Rookie, sophomore seasons raised expectations of possible Hall of Famer status but recent semesters have seen the person of redly-challenged hair demoted to bullpen on occasion. 7-6-8.

Gerrard Steven
Team MVP, captain and midfielderman famed for power running, pass accuracy, assists. Has dressed as center, right wingerbacker (offensive and defensive) and even as secondary power forward. Can rush goal or sit back in the pocket. Career high came in Pro-Ball showdown against the Milan Tumblers in Istanbul (believed site of WMD).

Craig Bellamy
Controversial wide receiver/goal forward rated division's third most likely player to face red card takedown in grudge slams. Lightning fast in joggy work down winglines, although critics question net targeting infield. Has switched franchises several times in career amid rumors of all-star level jackassery.

Robert Bernard Fowler
Veteran strike attacker and all-time Liverpool Reds Hall of Famer. Once considered league MVP for shotzone rebounds and accuracy in the paint. Famously flagged on field for displaying his tight end to opponent Graeme Le Saux, and for calling into question The War On Drugs.

Xavi Alonso (ITA)
6-5-7, 12, 468, 0.43, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 98632548, 1, 1, 0 (?), 0, 1. 0.3.

Jermaine Pennant
Wide receiver/running forward has rushed for over 1,000 yards in Liverpool Reds rookie season. Crossfields delivery success rate well into point-seven-ohs, play action, sprinty, jigglebomb, DUI. 6.662. Off-field activities saw him given bum's rush from Steve Bruskowski's Birmingham Brums. Only soccerplayer on roster with a sensible sportsman's name.

Peter Crouch Jr
Power forward who could have potential if consortium moves into NBA. Noted for headbomb assists, ganglyhole, salmon leap, robotics. 0.673, runners batted in, three points. Traded several times early in career but has flourished under head coach Benitez at the Anfield Taco Bellodrome."

[Redspin]

Unfortunately, people from Birkenhead are not only from the wrong side of the River but they're definitely not Scousers. Sorry...

I'm from Liverpool and I would consider people from Birkenhead to be scousers. It's not about location, it's the accent and way of thinking etc. People from Birkenhead have some of the broadest scouse accents possible - Jason McAteer is a fine example. If he's not a scouser, I'm a chinaman

If it were only people from Liverpool who were scousers, what about Bootle, Crosby, Huyton, Kirkby, Halewood etc? Even Formby 15 miles up the coast - when I was a kid in the 60s they all spoke with the generic S W Lancs accent, but these days it's completely scouse

[Rocket]

He's just being picky anyway mate - ignore him - most do

exactly, he's just a manc anyway

[Angry Dan]

[QUOTE=cine_boy;278138]So, I think they'll be fine. I am most interested to see the stadium project go well and to see how their ambitions to win trophies are backed up by the transfer budget (and their hands-on approach to bringing players in). QUOTE]

Anyone else concerned by this?

[rushscored4]

:Unfortunately, people from Birkenhead are not only from the wrong side of the River but they're definitely not Scousers. Sorry...

Well, the education continues, I suppose. I post infrequently enough, and with the time difference that at least I will likely avoid being KurtAngled. Alas, I don't seem to need much help. I assume then, that Birkenhead are traditionally bitters?

*wipes sweat off brow*After frantic call to parents - grandmother was born in Liverpool, but they later moved to Birkenhead. I just remember all of the mail being postmarked from Birkenhead, and ,um, assumed it was the correct side of the river. So, I am merely geographically challenged. I blame Bush And I knew she just HAD to be Scouse, because I spent my entire childhood translating what she was saying for everyone else.

He's just being picky anyway mate - ignore him - most do

I'm from Liverpool and I would consider people from Birkenhead to be scousers. It's not about location, it's the accent and way of thinking etc. People from Birkenhead have some of the broadest scouse accents possible - Jason McAteer is a fine example. If he's not a scouser, I'm a chinaman. If it were only people from Liverpool who were scousers, what about Bootle, Crosby, Huyton, Kirkby, Halewood etc? Even Formby 15 miles up the coast - when I was a kid in the 60s they all spoke with the generic S W Lancs accent, but these days it's completely scouse

exactly, he's just a manc anyway

Oh dear, where shall I start?!

Calling a native of Birkenhead a 'Scouser' is like calling someone from Sunderland a 'Geordie'. Birkonians might sound like Scousers (Liverpudlians) but they're not and you can actually cause offence! Tranmere, the only 'professional side based in Birkenhead, have a song that says:

Don't be mistaken, don't be misled,
We are not scousers, we're from Birkenhead,
So stick your cathedrals & your Pier Head,
We're Birkenhead born & we're Birkenhead bred!

Obviously woolybacks like Mumsaman and short-arsed gay Welsh accountants wouldn't realise this!

[Parm]

welcome to the site, just a note FOWLER did not score a hatrick against Arsenal in a league cup final. He scored a hatrick in a league game & it was 1994.

[Diego]

[QUOTE=Angry Dan;281966]

So, I think they'll be fine. I am most interested to see the stadium project go well and to see how their ambitions to win trophies are backed up by the transfer budget (and their hands-on approach to bringing players in). QUOTE]

Anyone else concerned by this?

no, Hicks said during the press conference that he'll not be very hands on, he'll just be the owner and let parry run the buisness, he also said that he'd learned from experience that meddling owners are not trophy winning owners

[ineednewfootwear]

The NHL had a player lockout a few years ago and cancelled the whole season because player salaries had escalated out of control. So, the owners cancelled the season until the player's union renegotiated their salaries in line with the lower profits the game was making. This has had an incredibly negative impact on the way the game is seen here; The NHL lost their ESPN contract (now they are on a network called Vs that has nowhere near the credibility of ESPN) and lost a ton of goodwill and marketing opportunity. It literally set the game back a decade.

another yank here, although born in ireland. i agree with most of what you said except for the paragraph above. the game is actually better after the lockout, ask any hockey fan! with the rule changes and the fiscal control the new bargaining contract gave the teams, it's a much more exciting league. they also didn't lose the ESPN deal, it happened to be up for renewal at the same time the lockout started. ESPN lowballed the NHL thinking they could get a cut-price contract because of the shortened and potentially lost season. the league said no thanks and got a better offer from OLN which became Versus. the long and the short of it is that the lockout set them back, and true they did lose some of the casual fanbase they had before, but those losses have now been regained and the league is doing better than ever. attendances are healthy, their in their second year of the tv deal and they also provide free broadcasts of some games through yahoo.

both gillett and hicks were vehement about cutting costs because their teams were losing money. they didn't introduce a salary cap, but basically said that teams could only spend between 40 and 50% of their revenue on salaries (not sure of exact percentages). so although there's no restriction on how much a player can earn, the cumulative total of the teams salaries cannot be above the limit. it's quite a masterstroke really, because now the coaches and gms are being tested too. no longer is it a case of one team taking the best players cause only they can afford them, it provides competitive balance and really levels the playing field.

anyway, that's all hockey talk ... but getting back to the new owners, there's a lot of respect for them in the way they do business and run their teams here. and although neither have won championships for the last six or seven years, both owners aren't afraid to splash out and fund competitive teams.

[Icon]

Absolutely no problem with Americans......

****ing Republicans I hate!