Zero "marquee" impact, but I'd take Heskey in a heartbeat - you can't tell me he isn't better than our current strikers.
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Zero "marquee" impact, but I'd take Heskey in a heartbeat - you can't tell me he isn't better than our current strikers.
new a-league ad.
http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/...2012/13-/49102
i like it.
Why would FFA not include a shot of the stadium-length NEWCASTLE banner from our game against Victory last season, ffs? And I see (without any real surprise) that the Jets feature in a total of about three shots again, despite the couple of Brockie screamers that would have made for great promotional material.
just watched that ad. my thoughts:
the gypos featured heaps
where were the crunching tackles
Probably because it is a generic ad for all teams and they would want to make the action as generic as possible.
Probably didn't have a large crowd in the background of the footage.
I don't know. This is supposed to be just the teaser ad. The final one may be different.
Lack of epic NEWCASTLE is a massive disc race.
still better than last year when our only footage was brankenstein
I see your point, but they happily showed that "Roar Pride" banner. I'm not whinging for the sake of whinging - I honestly believe our banner was one of the best things ever organised by a fan group in all seven years of the A-League, and that any governing body worth its salt would be keen to emphasise it in ads designed to flaunt the colour and passion of the supporters. It was the last truly magical night at the stadium, if you ask me. Felt like the old days again. I will never forget the moment when I watched those letters unfurl from the southern hill.
Agree. It was a fantastic spectacle and I myself sent an email to SBS's The World Game show to complain about the fact that on the show following the display, all they could do is bitch and moan about the state of the game when the Jets v Victory game was exciting and the tifo display showed great cooperation between the club and the supporters.
As a whole, we soccer followers have such a chip on our shoulders about the game: always complaining about the support the media should be giving etc. When really the only thing we can do is just follow our team as best we can. In Europe, you pay minimum 30 Euro to watch a team like Juventus play. We get it easy and should probably be putting more money into the club, however we can, if we want it to be a success in the A-League.
I'll never forget that banner and one day someone might honour the history of the Newcastle active support. So long as we honour it, I'm fine with it.
We can't really be surprised it wasn't used.
if sydney or melbourne didnt do it it doesnt count
NBN just said Griff has no tear and will be fit for Round 1.
Looks like they are hell bent on this A-League all stars concept.Quote:
At least $5 million will be needed to attract Manchester United to Brisbane
Marco Monteverde
The Courier-Mail
September 18, 2012 12:00AM
http://resources3.news.com.au/images...ter-united.jpg
You have to pay to see this - the Queensland Government will have to cough up to attract Robin Van Persie and his Manchester United mates. Source: Getty Images
THE Queensland Government will need to pay at least $5 million to entice English giants Manchester United to Brisbane next year.
The hugely popular Red Devils are planning to tour Australia next July to prepare for the 2013-14 English Premier League season.
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson reportedly wants to play two matches, with Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne all in the running.
The preference is for both games to involve an A-League All-Star XI rather than Australian club sides.
Events Queensland officials have already met with Football Federation Australia and Manchester United delegates about hosting a match at Suncorp Stadium.
"FFA approached EQ to hear an overview of Manchester United's plans for Asia and potentially Australia in 2013," an EQ spokeswoman told The Courier-Mail yesterday.
"EQ is considering the opportunity and no decision has yet been made."
It's understood United, who are also planning to play two matches in Asia as part of the four-match pre-season tour, want to make a decision by Christmas at the latest.
With each game in Australia to reportedly attract more than $12 million in revenue, it would service as a massive boost for Queensland's ailing tourism industry.
The match would be an almost certain sellout at the 52,500-capacity Suncorp Stadium despite the cheapest ticket likely to cost $100.
A recent survey claimed that Manchester United had 659 million followers worldwide, 325 million of which hail from the Asia Pacific region.
But the sticking point could be the millions required to bring the 19-time English champions to Brisbane despite the prospect of the event returning more than double in profit.
The State Government is already refusing to pay to ensure Queensland hosts two State of Origin rugby league matches next year despite a Victorian $2.5 million bid to buy a Maroons-Blues clash.
Queensland Premier Campbell Newman last week said that paying extra for State of Origin matches would further hurt women's sport, which he considered was already a "poor cousin".
If an All-Stars A-League side was picked today, it would feature new Sydney FC recruit Alessandro Del Piero, as well as a sprinkling of Brisbane Roar players, including Johnny Warren medallist Thomas Broich and mercurial striker Besart Berisha.
Interesting comment about deeper coverage on fox, not sure how that's going to work more A-league content on FSFC, better highlighs show, half time captains interview, I guess time will tell.Quote:
New A-League boss targets growth
Damien De Bohun, the new head of the A-League, has no doubts about the chief task facing the competition in the next few years as he gears up for his first season in charge of the premier domestic league.
Restoring financial equilibrium to the A-League's 10 loss-making clubs, partly through revenues generated by the new broadcast deal, has to be top of the agenda.
But, he says, clubs also have to work hard not just to bolster funding from the game's governing body through slick marketing and aggressive pursuit of sponsorship of their own, but to grow their fan base and convert those interested in the sport at the margins, turning them into regular supporters.
The league is due to kick off in just over a fortnight and impetus is building after what feels like an inordinately long off season.
Advertisement
The signing of Alessandro Del Piero by Sydney FC has put a spring in the step of all associated with the game who point to it, rightly, as a coup given the level of interest shown in the Italian World Cup winner by better-known clubs in Europe.
And the imminent agreement of the crucial broadcast deal, widely tipped to contain a mix of programming from major partner Fox Sport and free-to-air candidate SBS, is also expected to lift spirits after a messy end to the last campaign when one team, Gold Coast, crashed out of existence amid rows and recriminations between its owner, billionaire mining magnate Clive Palmer, and the FFA's billionaire boss Frank Lowy. That wasn't the only end-of-season drama last year. The future of Newcastle hung in the balance before agreement was reached on its continued existence as a club.
De Bohun is due back in Sydney tomorrow from Wellington after completing an itinerary that has taken him to meet club officials at all A-League sides. While he has missed the blizzard of publicity that accompanied Del Piero's arrival, that has only whetted his appetite for the new campaign which kicks off with the Melbourne derby between Heart and Victory on October 5.
"I am very excited by the overall feeling within the clubs and the game. I have met personally with all the clubs in the off season to find out what their views are, what their opportunities are and their major issues," De Bohun says.
"Its been a very interesting experience. There's a very strong sense that the competition will be very even and that performances on the field will continue to improve," said the ex cricket official, who also had a spell in charge of Football Federation Victoria earlier in his career.
"We are waiting for the outcome of the broadcast deal that is currently in discussion but there is a strong feeling about the viability and the sustainability of the clubs. And an FTA element will help the game grow, reach parts of the community that don't have pay [TV]. It will help with converting people who play the game or who are interested in it to become fans. A mixture of the two is the perfect storm.
"We have got to get the message to the fans that the competition is better than they might think and that it is up there with some better-known leagues. With average gates of around 10,000 it is one of the better-supported leagues in the world."
De Bohun believes a strong start to the season is vital, and what better way than to hit the ground running with a Melbourne derby.
"Victory seem to be setting themselves for a new direction and they have made important decisions both on and off the field, while Heart are building a competitive squad for what will be a very balanced league. Not only do we have that for the first game, but then Ange Postecoglou is going up against the team he won the title with twice. There is a genuine Sydney derby now too."
De Bohun also forecast deeper TV coverage this season.
"We are working closely with the host broadcaster to maximise coverage and integrate it with clubs, players and managers. We will be working a lot closer with Fox. There will be a lot of insights, a lot more interactivity with the players. But FIFA rules prevent us from miking up referees and officials."
http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/n...#ixzz26mK9IpNR
But FIFA rules prevent us from miking up referees and officials."
GOOOODddddd and get rid of the camera in the change sheds at half time....
All for innovative camera's and more indepth things in the game. But the above 2 ideas are wrong.
http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/...gba-commitment
Griff is talking silly talk. He needs to come home before this gets any worse.Quote:
Joel Griffiths insists that Didier Drogba's commitment to new club Shanghai Shenhua has not wavered - despite the boardroom battle which threatens his future in China.
Shenhua boardroom row 'not over'
Shanghai puts dramas behind it to win
The Australian striker, who has formed a potent attacking axis with Cote d'Ivoire ace Drogba and Frenchman Nicolas Anelka in recent weeks, says the 34-year-old UEFA Champions League winner is determined not to let uncertainly over who will pay his $250,000 weekly wage bill hamper his desire to fire.
He scored in Shanghai's 3-0 win over Liaoning Hongyun last weekend against a backdrop of bickering between the club's main backer, billionaire Zhu Jun and the board.
Jun is demanding his fellow shareholders honour an agreement to dramatically raise his shareholding in the club as a reward for personally funding big-name signings.
"Didier is happy at the club but he is somebody who commands a certain level of respect," Griffths said.
"He regards China as a personal project and new football frontier for himself, but who knows what will happen over the money side of things. That's beyond his control."
Griffiths, back to his best form as a right-sided attacking midfielder after shrugging off a long-term knee injury, believes his new friend is keen to stay and leave a legacy in China.
Drogba has struck five goals in seven appearances and according to Griffiths is unflinching in his work ethic.
"That's one thing that has surprised me, I really didn't think he would come here so committed to succeed," he said.
"But that just shows what sort of person he is. He treats every game the same, whether it's a Champions League final or a game in the Chinese Super League.
"He wants the ball, he wants to score goals and he wants his name to be remembered in China for all the right reasons. It's so good to have him at the club."
Griffiths, 33, whose own future will be decided in December with the option of a return to the A-League on the table, said: "The way we have been playing I can't see us losing any of the last six games, we are ninth now and have been scoring goals and playing some pretty good football after a horrible start to the season.
"I can see us sneaking in an Asian Champions League spot - that's what we're aiming for. It's a shame that Drogba wasn't here for the start of the season, otherwise we'd be aiming for the top spot."
Griffiths also paid tribute to the other half of Shanghai's attacking axis, much-travelled Anelka, saying: "Most of the attention has been focused on Didier but Nicolas goes under the radar. He's been setting up goals and having Didier here has taken a lot of pressure off him and he is back playing his normal game.
"If we keep this team together, next year is going to be huge for the club."
Griffiths hasn't ruled out being a part of that future. His contract expires at the end of the season but he has impressed since his return from injury, providing several assists and three goals in 12 games.
"That's definitely a possibility and something I would seriously consider if the opportunity was there, especially the way we have been playing lately," he said. "If we keep this team intact I can see the title coming here next year. If we keep the same team I will be more than happy to stay.
"At some stage I would love to go home and finish my career but there's no immediate hurry. We will see what happens.
"It's been a different experience here. At Beijing Guoan I was the go-to man; I never got injured and was scoring regularly. Here I am out on the wing and Drogba is the focal point which is easy to understand because it's hard to compete with that sort of player.
"It enables me to be more involved in the build-up play and we've got some pretty good combinations going.
"Against Liaoning Hongyun on Saturday was probably the best I have felt in a game for about three years. The role I have now involves a lot more running and hard work and it's a totally different role to playing up front - but it's easy when you have Drogba and Anelka around you."
Griffiths also saluted Sydney FC's capture of Alessandro Del Piero, saying: "Four million dollars over two years - Sydney will get their money back with change.
"It's an awesome signing and I'd love to see other A-League clubs follow suit, obviously money permitting. The league needs Del Piero. It has gone a bit stale and it needs characters in the game.
"It needs bit of controversy also. Everybody hated Kevin Muscat but he got people talking and that generates interest from sports fans in general in Australia."
Each word like a dagger through my heart.
And...Kevin Muscat...wtf?
This summer is Griff's last chance for us surely...if he stays on, he will be too old to come back here and finish his career (he's 33 now).
Better to sign his offspring instead.
do you know when it's griff last chance with us? when he says it is.
any age griff > jesic, bridges, gallaway, etc
Just hurry the **** up and sign Griffo FFS.
Bit of a clean out for the youth ranks, be interesting to see how the new crop go.Quote:
Jets prepare for Youth competition
http://static.ffa.sportalhosting.com...-leadimage.jpg
Following the conclusion of the Newcastle Jets Youth campaign in the NBN State League competition, coach Clayton Zane is building his team for the 2012/13 Y-League season.
The Club has had discussions with NSWIS, who won the Under 19’s NBN State League Championship, about inviting their best young players to join the Jets for pre-season.
“We have some of the most promising young talent joining us when we resume training, including Andrew Pawiak, Reece Pappas and Josh Murray,” Zane said.
"From here, we will assess these players and others like them in the environment of the NYL squad."
Meanwhile Youth players Josh Small, Dom Bizzari, Abe Wheelhouse, Dino Fajkovic, Maclean Nadfalusi, Jakob Williams and Alex Kantarovski have been released from the Jets.
“Out of this group of players Abe Wheelhouse was actually offered to remain in the program but decided to pursue a career in the State League competition," Zane added.
“We understood we couldn’t offer him the regular football he was after and wish him well for the future.
"We also thank Josh, Dom, Dino, Maclean, Jakob and Alex for their contribution and wish them well."
The Jets Youth commence pre-season training on September 24.
http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/...petition/49165
always love hearing things like:
- "you ****in kiddin me ref?"
- "how the **** was that not a free kick?"
- "what the **** are you looking at?"
- "no ****in way was that a yellow"
- etc
imagine the outrage from the knights nannas when they hear all that swearing in a game. doesn't happen in their game.
Fact is it helps create characters & stories something I think the HAL really lacks since the loss of Yorke, Muscat, Griff etc
People always whinge about the media not shining a light on the league but if your too insular and want to block everything and everyone out you'll never get the air time.
Fact is people want issues in sport, they want to have heroes and they love a good villian, best of all the TV networks then have something to play on and promote, for me the HAL severely lacks any characters and is within an inch of its life as far as the general sports reporters are concerned (Del Peiro seems to be helping) as you wont get a decent comment from a coach or player from fear of the FFA's henchmen handing out fines, which results in stale cliché to the max press conferences.
Wouldn't mind if they further develop things like Jets TV etc. real behind the scenes stuff like they have in the English comps.
There is still Hutcho. Never forget Hutcho.
If this has all been triggered by Del Peiro as claimed, I really hope they are not thinking Heskey will have the same, or even a remotely similar, sort of impact.Quote:
Jets management in UK talks with Heskey
By JAMES GARDINER
Sept. 18, 2012, 11:13 p.m.
http://cdn.fairfaxregional.com.au/pr...882d3de625.jpg
EMILE HESKEY
FORMER England striker Emile Heskey is back on the Newcastle Jets radar and club management are understood to be in London attempting to broker a deal.
Heskey has been a free agent since he was released by English Premier League club Aston Villa in May.
The 34-year-old was reported to have knocked back a previous approach by the Jets and has been linked with a lucrative move to non-league club Macclesfield.
However, the Herald has learned the Jets are back in the frame.
Hunter Sports Group chief executive Troy Palmer and Jets chief executive Robbie Middleby are in England and are understood to have met with Heskey's management.
Newcastle could face competition for Heskey's signature from his former club Liverpool.
Stoke, Norwich and Spanish side Espanyol are also understood to have made enquiries about the front man, who played 29 times for Villa last season for one goal.
However, Herald sources in England indicated that the Jets were "high up there".
Coach Gary van Egmond said last month that the Jets were unlikely to fill the final place on their roster with a high-profile marquee player.
But the success of Sydney FC in signing Italian legend Alessandro Del Piero and the positive worldwide publicity it created has caused a rethink.
http://www.theherald.com.au/story/34...heskey/?cs=303
Think we can rule out the Vassell rumour, it looks like Heskey all the way now.Quote:
Former England striker Emile Heskey set to sign for A-League club Newcastle Jets
Tom Smithies
The Daily Telegraph
September 19, 2012 12:00AM
http://resources2.news.com.au/images...ile-heskey.jpg
Emile Heskey in action for Aston Villa against Chelsea last year. The former England striker is set to sign with the Newcastle Jets. Source: AP
ALESSANDRO Del Piero's home debut for Sydney FC is poised to become an even bigger occasion because opponents Newcastle are understood to be on the verge of signing former England striker Emile Heskey.
The former Liverpool forward, who played in three World Cups, including two years ago in South Africa, left Aston Villa at the end of last season and has been looking for a new deal since.
Sources in England have told News Ltd that Jets CEO Robbie Middleby and Troy Palmer, CEO of the Hunter Sports Group that owns the club, have met Heskey and talks have progressed well enough for a one-year deal to be on the table.
Assuming Heskey passes a medical - which after 28 games in the EPL for Villa last season is not likely to be a problem- he will join Gary van Egmond's squad in time for the A-League season, opening the possibility of a direct match-up with Del Piero when the Jets travel to Allianz Stadium in round two.
Heskey earned 62 England caps and though he only scored seven goals, he was usually cast as the foil for a more prolific striker, such as Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney.
His strength and ability to hold the ball up would dovetail with the youth and energy of van Egmond's squad.
The Jets last night declined to comment, citing the club's policy of "not speculating about player movement through the media".
Football Federation Australia has to sanction any marquee arrival but FFA sources have already confirmed this will be a formality.
The 34-year-old had been linked with moves to Stoke, Norwich and Spanish side Espanyol - and also an emotional return to Liverpool, where he won the FA Cup and UEFA Cup in a four-year spell.
But he recently insisted he was fit enough to play immediately for a new side. "I feel as fit and hungry as I have done in a long time and have been training everyday throughout the summer," Heskey said.
"As has been reported, I did receive a number of offers during the transfer window but didn't feel like any of them were the right opportunity for me at that time."
Meanwhile, Sydney are close to adding to their roster former Adelaide midfielder Paul Reid, who has apparently impressed sufficiently in an extended trial to earn a deal.
"We're not too far away now from getting something finalised," coach Ian Crook said yesterday. "In the short term, Terry Antonis and Hagi Gligor could be away with the (Australian) under-20s side.
"And Nicky (Carle) having gone, who I was thinking of playing there, it leaves us very bare. It's certainly something we're looking at."
Crook said should Jason Culina prove his fitness after nearly two years out with knee and leg injuries, Reid's signing would not preclude the former Socceroo from also adding to his midfield stocks.
"Jason's got that determination to come back," he said.
"If someone had said three months ago he'd be out there doing what he's doing, I'd have laughed at them. I don't know (how long his rehab will take). It's day by day. It could be two weeks, 10 weeks, 10 months."
The Herald article looks like the usual "quote the foz" stuff. The Terrorgraph one has more guts to it.
Interesting 24 hours ahead.
heskey + the brothers griff hnnnnnnggggg
Ok - now it is getting a bit more tangible....
http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/...o-snare-Heskey
Quote:
Newcastle Jets poised to snare Heskey
Ex-England striker Emile Heskey is close to agreeing terms on a one-year deal worth around $1.3 million to join Newcastle Jets and end a frustrating search for a new club.
The contract has the option for two more years – at $1.3 million for each extra season – which would be triggered should the 34-year-old produce the goods on the Hunter as the club's latest marquee.
Heskey, who was released by Aston Villa, met with Jets CEO Robbie Middleby and Troy Palmer, CEO of the Hunter Sports Group, in the UK over the weekend to go over the finer points of an offer.
After initial trepidation, the former Liverpool forward has embraced the idea of completing his career in Australia where he would be in line for a head-to-head battle with Italian legend Alessandro del Piero in the round two A-League clash at Allianz Stadium.
Heskey's Nottingham-based agent Struan Marshall, of Wasserman Media Group, refused to confirm or deny that a deal had been done.
"Out of respect to the Jets I would prefer you get any information/clarification from Robbie or Troy or their press office, as and when they see fit," Marshall told The World Game.
The Jets were also remained tight-lipped, citing the club protocol of "not speculating about player movement through the media".
With 62 England caps – and just seven goals to show for them – Heskey is unlikely to break any A-League scoring records, his main strengths being his ability to create openings and hold the ball up.
Heskey, who appeared at two World Cups, only hit double figures on four occasions in a career in England which included stints with Leicester City, Liverpool, Birmingham, Wigan and Villa spanning 19 seasons between 1995-and 2012.
But his ability to bring others into play allied to his physical presence and enduring fitness levels, guaranteed there was interest from more than just the Jets with Premier League Stoke and even former club Liverpool linked with him along with second tier Blackpool and Ipswich.
"I'm 34, I still feel I can play so I don't see why I need to retire just now," Heskey said after leaving Villa.
"From when I started, I always said I wanted to play at the highest level wherever that might be. You always strive for that."
Played mainly as a right winger the games I saw him play last season and seasons previously, hense lack of goals recently. Other than Archie and smeltz, most of the strikers doin well in the a league have come in with poorer goals records than big Emile.