| 'A second megastore in Indonesia' - my take on the game 00:38 - Jan 26 with 1609 views | jasondozzell |
The Liverpool programme was a fairly reasonable 4 quid and was well put together. Some good articles on the origin of the Spion Kop and John Wark of course.
But what caught my eye was the news page that proudly announced that the Reds have opened a second LFC retail store in Indonesia. It was opened by Emile Heskey.
In a way, that little detail almost suffices as the match report. Because the Premier League has changed and it's now a gigantic worldwide brand where going to the match is akin to attending a Rolling Stones concert or something - a guaranteed enhanced experience of a lifetime where your every whim is indulged. Air hanger sized fanzones, what feels like one to one stewarding, glitz and glamour everywhere and the whole world watching. It doesn't feel like you're playing a football team - more the power and wealth of a transnational business behemoth.
If you're a bit more of a traditionalist like me, it's hard not to look at it all and wonder where this direction of travel will take us. The news that City are going to field a bespoke goalkeeper kit made by generative AI inspired by the players might tell us. In other words, nonsense without any soul.
There's still a magic about Anfield though for those that wanted to see the Shankly Gates and actually connect to the history and romance of the place. For all the tourists and concert goers, the ground is still something special. Miles better than Spurs or City or any of the enormodomes. Stewards and people really friendly too.
The game? Well, as I said, it's second retail megastore in Indonesia versus 11 really honest, skilful Town players who are very very good players but for whom playing Bournemouth is a gigantic step up, let alone this lot.
Anyone moaning needs to have their head examined. 3 years ago we played AFC Wimbledon and they were moaning that Jackson was starting as if it was something repulsive. He and Kieran soon shut them up.
Broadhead is absolute magic and in form. I think he must start next week.
The quality of Enciso's corner was pretty exciting just as much as the goal!
Conor Townsend maybe deserves a start especially if Leif could do with some recovery time. Excellent showing again.
Second retail store in Indonesia 4 Town 1. Not bad really.
Keep the faith. We are staying up.
[Post edited 26 Jan 0:41]
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| 'A second megastore in Indonesia' - my take on the game on 00:59 - Jan 26 with 1524 views | Illinoisblue |
Very well said my man. “Nonsense without a soul” describes much of modern day football, from VAR to stupid and inconsiderate kick-off times, and not least the absurd financial disparity of not just teams in the premier league, but the gap from prem to EFL. And for the game in general, the worst is undoubtedly yet to come. |  |
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| 'A second megastore in Indonesia' - my take on the game on 02:43 - Jan 26 with 1391 views | ArnoldMoorhen |
The legend has it that Ray Crawford used to get the bus to Portman Road with the fans.
Things have definitely changed! |  | | |
| 'A second megastore in Indonesia' - my take on the game on 09:34 - Jan 26 with 999 views | jasondozzell |
| 'A second megastore in Indonesia' - my take on the game on 00:59 - Jan 26 by Illinoisblue |
Very well said my man. “Nonsense without a soul” describes much of modern day football, from VAR to stupid and inconsiderate kick-off times, and not least the absurd financial disparity of not just teams in the premier league, but the gap from prem to EFL. And for the game in general, the worst is undoubtedly yet to come. |
Cheers! Yep, I think it's only going to get worse sadly. It's becoming a high end entertainment product for consumers.
It's going to eat itself and they will be left with no atmosphere or real excitement but suspect as long as the dollar rolls in they won't worry. | | | |
| 'A second megastore in Indonesia' - my take on the game on 09:36 - Jan 26 with 987 views | jasondozzell |
| 'A second megastore in Indonesia' - my take on the game on 02:43 - Jan 26 by ArnoldMoorhen |
The legend has it that Ray Crawford used to get the bus to Portman Road with the fans.
Things have definitely changed! |
Definitely! A more innocent time. Now teams are flying short distances! | | | |
| 'A second megastore in Indonesia' - my take on the game on 09:47 - Jan 26 with 914 views | ITFC_Forever |
You’re right… but in amongst the tourists, lifetime experience fans and ST holders from the other end of the country, there is a core of Liverpool fans (and other clubs of similar size) who are the same as us.
They just happen to have LFC as their local club, all the success that brings - and all the hassle that also comes with it, such as actually getting tickets etc.
We spoke to some in the pub and they were telling us how hard it is to get tickets for away games… if you think our system is a closed shop, it’s nothing compared to what they have. |  |
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| 'A second megastore in Indonesia' - my take on the game on 09:51 - Jan 26 with 904 views | jasondozzell |
| 'A second megastore in Indonesia' - my take on the game on 09:47 - Jan 26 by ITFC_Forever |
You’re right… but in amongst the tourists, lifetime experience fans and ST holders from the other end of the country, there is a core of Liverpool fans (and other clubs of similar size) who are the same as us.
They just happen to have LFC as their local club, all the success that brings - and all the hassle that also comes with it, such as actually getting tickets etc.
We spoke to some in the pub and they were telling us how hard it is to get tickets for away games… if you think our system is a closed shop, it’s nothing compared to what they have. |
Yeah, I can see it is a proper club and in some ways its kept its soul more than others. But that tension between the real local support and the worldwide brand is going to grow. I suppose rightly many are proud of how famous they are, but at star point does it become a franchises rather than a Liverpool club?
That's interesting about away tickets. Must be like gold dust. How does their system work? | | | |
| 'A second megastore in Indonesia' - my take on the game on 09:59 - Jan 26 with 868 views | Radlett_blue |
| 'A second megastore in Indonesia' - my take on the game on 09:34 - Jan 26 by jasondozzell |
Cheers! Yep, I think it's only going to get worse sadly. It's becoming a high end entertainment product for consumers.
It's going to eat itself and they will be left with no atmosphere or real excitement but suspect as long as the dollar rolls in they won't worry. |
While traditionalists don't like it, American sport is the money driven model which the PL is slavishly following. As a business model, it's highly effective & everyone involved in the game is getting richer. No wonder the support for a European Super League, which I think actually makes sense as long as the clubs leave their domestic leagues. |  |
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| 'A second megastore in Indonesia' - my take on the game on 10:00 - Jan 26 with 864 views | Bugs |
| 'A second megastore in Indonesia' - my take on the game on 09:47 - Jan 26 by ITFC_Forever |
You’re right… but in amongst the tourists, lifetime experience fans and ST holders from the other end of the country, there is a core of Liverpool fans (and other clubs of similar size) who are the same as us.
They just happen to have LFC as their local club, all the success that brings - and all the hassle that also comes with it, such as actually getting tickets etc.
We spoke to some in the pub and they were telling us how hard it is to get tickets for away games… if you think our system is a closed shop, it’s nothing compared to what they have. |
"We spoke to some in the pub and they were telling us how hard it is to get tickets for away games… if you think our system is a closed shop, it’s nothing compared to what they have."
That might explain a bit why their away fans were so surprisingly poor at Portman Road. |  | | |
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| 'A second megastore in Indonesia' - my take on the game on 10:07 - Jan 26 with 802 views | jasondozzell |
| 'A second megastore in Indonesia' - my take on the game on 09:59 - Jan 26 by Radlett_blue |
While traditionalists don't like it, American sport is the money driven model which the PL is slavishly following. As a business model, it's highly effective & everyone involved in the game is getting richer. No wonder the support for a European Super League, which I think actually makes sense as long as the clubs leave their domestic leagues. |
Yes, it is definitely the direction of travel isn't it. Why have the Americans only recently seen the potential do you think? Even when we got to the Abramovich era, there wasn't really much American interest in investment. But the last few years they all seem set on it. What changed?
I was vehemently against the super league but I am beginning to think you might be right that it could be necessary. My worry is that where does it leave the rest of the pyramid? It feels wrong instinctively but these top clubs are almost playing a. different game.
Although, looking at Bournemouth and Forest, maybe there is a way to compete... | | | |
| 'A second megastore in Indonesia' - my take on the game on 10:17 - Jan 26 with 741 views | ITFC_Forever |
| 'A second megastore in Indonesia' - my take on the game on 09:51 - Jan 26 by jasondozzell |
Yeah, I can see it is a proper club and in some ways its kept its soul more than others. But that tension between the real local support and the worldwide brand is going to grow. I suppose rightly many are proud of how famous they are, but at star point does it become a franchises rather than a Liverpool club?
That's interesting about away tickets. Must be like gold dust. How does their system work? |
Much the same as ours, but with an even greater pressure to not miss a game, or buy every ticket and sell it on. | |
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| 'A second megastore in Indonesia' - my take on the game on 10:21 - Jan 26 with 734 views | Blue_badge |
| 'A second megastore in Indonesia' - my take on the game on 02:43 - Jan 26 by ArnoldMoorhen |
The legend has it that Ray Crawford used to get the bus to Portman Road with the fans.
Things have definitely changed! |
"Things have definitely changed!" - my Mum knew Roy Bailey's wife, they met when rummaging through the tat at a jumble sale..
(I had to stay outside minding the pram which contained a future England keeper.). |  | | |
| 'A second megastore in Indonesia' - my take on the game on 10:25 - Jan 26 with 711 views | Radlett_blue |
| 'A second megastore in Indonesia' - my take on the game on 10:07 - Jan 26 by jasondozzell |
Yes, it is definitely the direction of travel isn't it. Why have the Americans only recently seen the potential do you think? Even when we got to the Abramovich era, there wasn't really much American interest in investment. But the last few years they all seem set on it. What changed?
I was vehemently against the super league but I am beginning to think you might be right that it could be necessary. My worry is that where does it leave the rest of the pyramid? It feels wrong instinctively but these top clubs are almost playing a. different game.
Although, looking at Bournemouth and Forest, maybe there is a way to compete... |
I think the Americans have been attracted by the strength of the Premier League's overseas TV rights, which are now worth £6.5bn for the 2022-25 cycle. The degree of interest in the PL in the USA, where the annual rights are worth £360m, has helped. | |
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| 'A second megastore in Indonesia' - my take on the game on 10:28 - Jan 26 with 697 views | jasondozzell |
| 'A second megastore in Indonesia' - my take on the game on 10:25 - Jan 26 by Radlett_blue |
I think the Americans have been attracted by the strength of the Premier League's overseas TV rights, which are now worth £6.5bn for the 2022-25 cycle. The degree of interest in the PL in the USA, where the annual rights are worth £360m, has helped. |
6.5bn. Blimey! And I'm sure they will see the possibility of more engagement still to come in US, Asia and Africa. It's a juggernaut. | | | |
| 'A second megastore in Indonesia' - my take on the game on 10:45 - Jan 26 with 642 views | Pinewoodblue |
Clubs need to remember that regular fans/ season ticket holders etc for part of the Premier League Tourist experience.
In much the same way as when we go to Madrid/ Barcelona/ Milan etc..
I’ m sure, in the long term, any increase in capacity at Portman Road will make allowance for at least 2,000 such tourists paying a premium for the pleasure. |  |
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