I think we have neglected our local community for years and continue to do so. There is the odd ray of light such as the Alder Hey Hospital Christmas visit, Academy coaching schemes etc and I don't feel we are any worse than most big clubs but surely LFC could do more in the local commmunity? I'm talking about club level engagment with volunteer groups, significant investment in youth work, more than just wheeling out the star players for local events etc. A properly coordinated, funded and planned community scheme unlike any other, with the scale and commitment to really make a difference. I think now more than ever after the Suarez nonsense the club neeeds to up it's game and reconnect with the city. It feels like the local fanbase is taken for granted somewhat, and the fact that Liverpool is a footballing city is assumed. Footbal clubs have a unique position in our culture, they bring people together are respected and worshipped by young and old alike. Kids look to footballers as role models, celebrities and idols - we have seen plently of instances of this being a negative influence and it's time we redressed the balance. Thoughts?
I suggest you go here http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/community the club is not a bottomless pit of cash and it does more than a lot of businesses to help its local community.
Yes I am aware of what we do currently and I don't think it's enough frankly. I live in the city and rarely hear about any of this stuff - it's just not 'above the line' enough because it's not of a scale fitting LFC. I guess that's my point - we should be waaay out in front given the passion in Liverpool and the social issues in the city. We don't lead the pack here and in my mind we should.
well thats fair enough.... i suppose comparing us to say barcelona, arsneal, manchester utd or real madrid wouldn't make any difference then? I would offer this, i think certain amateur hour merchants like moores and parry... or indeed guys wo didn't care at all like G&H should be taken into consideration and maybe we are actually succeeding to do more that otherwise possible and will improve under the stewardship of the current board including ayre. Who does lead the pack in liverpool? We're a football club, not the city council who should be doing this imo. I mean in fairness we've done stuff using our staff giving time for kids, we've given back in the vicinity of the ground, can you give an example of what we should do next? Perhaps i nthe end its a case of commuicating this to the supporters committe as well.. there's no harm in sending them something on it.
If you really want to vent your anger then look no further than the City Council (of all political hues) who have a long and unenviable record of mis-serving the people of Liverpool. Let's just take one example - Netherly. They destroyed whole communities that could have been well refurbished and moved them lock stock and barrel to a jerry-built prson camp that was so bad they had to knock it down! Now if that's doing your BEST for the people you are supposed to serve then I will accept that LFC are just not doing enough!
It all seems low level and somewhat splintered to me (albeit worthy). Because of this it's difficult to 'package' the work LFC do into something that would make headlines nationally (never mind internationally) - what we do now barely gets a mention in the city. My vision is a bigger coordinated programme of activities with more focus. I'm no expert but as an example imagine the feel good factor if LFC were to 'adopt' an amateur club, help fundraise for new facilities (think the Mars advert building the changing rooms but with Carra ), LFCTV could document the whole thing and we could make a real difference in the community. If this sounds a little like us promoting our comminity work more and 'blowing our own trumpet then yes, there is an element of that I believe. If the Suarez saga taught us one thing it must be that reality has little to do with the perception of our fantastic club. It's time to go on the offensive from a PR standpoint and start leveraging the clout LFC has to the benefit of both the club and the surrounding area.
Everton? Seriously though apart from the Christmas visits to Alder Hey and the summer boot camps LFC dont really have a public face in the city,its been down to players past and present and managers past and present to show their generosity and willingness to get involved with local charities etc on their own behalf's,and as with THSG our supporters are doing their thing bit within the community. It seems LFC under John Henry's regime are more interested in showing generosity and kindness on the clubs behalf oversees with schemes such as the Football school's in India etc(theres scope to make megabucks). I think the days of us owning South Liverpool have long gone and will never return.
I guess this is a case of no right or wrong answer as i certianly understand denny's point. In a lot of cases with corporations they like to keep it on the low down. I mean it gets the sort of website updates we do but their vision or charter is really against doing it for public image. I think theres an example of regeneration fo housing aorund anfiled and also the stuff i nthe park where lfc were involved that goes unnoticed. Its all about why you want to do it and how you want to approach telling people. an example is carraghers foundation and glen jonhson's foundation. you never hear anything about the good work glen does in his home place but carragher's is more out there for us red's fans in liveprool but would the general public be able to point to something carraghers money has done? I'm sure i could go out of my way righgt now to find out but from the top of my head i'm struggling.
No I work for a big evil corporation We have a lot of focus on community work and have constant events etc which I get involved with. I also coach U9 footy which I feel does my bit for society! It just frustrates me that the uniquely powerful assets football clubs have in cities like Liverpool isn't being 'sweated' more to benefit both the communities and the image of LFC...
Only asked because I do work in the C&V Sector and it is rare to hear/see people talk about wanting more community activity from football clubs etc. I know Liverpool do a fair bit as advertised on the website but with me not living in the city I don't know the ins and outs. I live in Mansfield and stags do quite a bit in the community considering the size of the club.
I'm with Denny on this one I've had my say on this subject before so I'm not going into it all again but I realised years ago that Liverpool FC don't really give a **** about the local community other than paying a bit of lip service and getting a few photo ops. Take a look at the community around the ground and the fact we're so willing to steal (thanks to the brown envelope deals with certain unnamed previous council members) a public (yes public) park in one of the poorest areas of the city just to save a bit of dough.
Everton? I know that was joke, but seriously, Everton are club that is renowned for its work in the community too. Fair's fair, the Shight are part of Liverpool too.
Totally agree with you there donga,EFC do indeed seem to be more active in the community than ourselves.
Well they were doing community work as we were posting it seems. http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/live...iverpool-fc-community-scheme-100252-30486081/
