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The quiet American

STEPHEN BRUNT

From Saturday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 7:55 PM EST 02/03/08

Liverpool owner George Gillett has won the local faithful over by making people understand that his heart's in the right place ...Read the full article

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  1. Tim Robinson from Hoylake, United Kingdom writes: As I live only 8 miles from Liverpool (and worked there for the past 2 years), I can attest to the intense passion of the fans. Liverpool is a unique and thriving city, so now is a good time to own the team. A very well-written article, but outside of Montreal are Canadian sports teams doing their best to keep traditions or is it just "Play loud music and keep the tills ringing...?
  2. Evan Rhyno from Canada writes: Although this article was well written, there was one piece of information that was glaringly wrong: in the version printed in the newspapers, it states that Liverpool have won the English PREMIER LEAGUE 18 times. That is completely wrong. In fact: they have never even won it once. They HAVE won the old English League (which was basically the old version of the premier league), but there is still several differences between the 'English League' and the 'Premier League'.

    The most evident difference is that back in the English League, foreign players were not allowed. Since that allowance, the competition has increased by a large margin (it is now considered by many to be the best league in the world, unlike it was during the English League times). Also, since that increase in talent: Liverpool have never won it. Look at the best players in the league over the last 10 years: Dennis Bergkamp (Dutch), Thierry Henry (French), Roy Keane (Irish), Ruud van Nistelrooy (Dutch), Patrick Viera (French), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portuguese), Francesc Fabregas (Spanish), etc.

    In this day and age, English players aren't considered anything special - thus proving that the Premier League is an entire step up from the English League, and an entirely different ball game so to speak. In truth, I support a relatively rival club (Arsenal) but I still find it insulting that Liverpool get portrayed as "the most successful club in England", when they are considered by most to be washed up with no history that is worth mentioning domestically

    (Note: Keep in mind that I say DOMESTICALLY. Liverpool have been successful in European competitions, but in the League they have never been a problem for clubs like Manchester United, Arsenal, and recently Chelsea)
  3. B I from Toronto, Canada writes: He owns my two favourite clubs. All of my eggs are in his basket.
  4. Mike Mike from Canada writes: Yeah... we all very much care about soccer. Now, if Mr. Gillet could get his head out of his behind and take a bit more interest in the habs and their current sad state of affairs it would be just swell.
  5. MK Euro 2008 Czechs..... from Winnipeg, Canada writes: Come on!!!!!!! Who cares if they Liverpool won the "old" league or the "new" league....
  6. steve allan from Welland, Ontario, Canada writes: Tim Robinson -

    Canadian teams, with the exception of the Habs and Leafs, have very little tradition as they are all of recent vintage.

    The Leafs are doing an excellent job of continuing their tradition of losing.
  7. gerald williams from Calgary, Canada writes: As a native Liverpudlian exile, your article resonated beautifully. Mr. Gillett has clearly caught the mood of the fans and realises that time will generate trust. Next month the Reds play Inter Milan in the Champions League. I remember with pride a winters evening in 1966 when Liverpool walloped IM 3-1 at Anfield. The then reigning European champions were so shocked & scared in that semi-final, they literally bought the ref for the home leg and won it 3-0. Years later the ref admitted receiving a house on the banks of Lake Lugano, but that is the sometimes seamy side of the game and does not detract one iota from the memories of a then 20 year-old who danced that night on the old Paddock, with dockers and brickies, as Big Rowdy Yates, the Saint and Roger Hunt left the Italians gawking. Technicalities, schmecknicalities; Liverpool have won the league far more often in the past half-century than Arsenal have (or ever will) and to describe the team as washed-up is about as fair as calling Arsene Wenger a clueless twit, when he is obviously a very gifted manager. I watched Messrs. Gillett & Hicks' press conference and they clearly understand the tradition they've bought. This was evidenced by George's comment to the Liverpool Echo after the recent 3 hour meeting. When asked if the row continued, he said; "I've been married for forty years and that has taught me how to defuse any arguments." That's a wise voice and I wish both co-owners well. Meantime, I recall admission to the Paddock in 1966 was 12/6d, or 62 pence today. That was a steep wallet-burning 75% increase on the standard Saturday 7/6d. I don't suppose there's anyone out there who'd sell me ticket to the January home-leg for £100? which goes to show why the club will be such a brilliant investment: another two-hundred-fold increase in ticket prices in 40 years will make the current owners children gazillionaires.
  8. MK Euro 2008 Czechs..... from Winnipeg, Canada writes: The EPL is a show of international soccer,not a domestic league,anymore....
  9. Shin Tzu from Beverly Hills, United States writes: Evan Rhyno tries to take away from LFC's achievements by comparing eras in a way that has even him confused. It is true that Liverpool has never won the Premier League as it has been called since 1992, but to say that the previous championships somehow shouldn't count is preposterous. I wonder how the true Arsenal fans would feel about Evan's logic considering the Gunners have been champions of England 13 times (just 3 time Premier League champs).
    If the old League lacked today's talent(it doesn't) someone forgot to tell those "less talented" Liverpool teams that went on to be crowned Champions of Europe 4 times in the late 70s/early 80s.
    The most funny comment from Evan was saying that Liverpool have never "troubled" Man U, Arsenal, Chelsea in the "League"( confusing his terms?). Liverpool although not having won the Premier League, has finished ahead of Chelsea and Arsenal many times since 1992.
    About the article. I personally find the timing of the article -very- interesting. With such a favourable characterization and portrayal of Mr. Gillett, this article couldn't have come at a more opportune time. As a Liverpool supporter, I can say Mr. Gillett and Mr. Hicks have an extremely long way to go to earn the fans' trust. Given what has transpired in the last 3 weeks, it could be said they are going backwards.
  10. S W from Liverpool, Canada writes: A brief little comment to Mr. Evan Rhyno:

    First things first... FORM IS TEMPORARY, CLASS IS PERMANENT. Slice it anyway you like it, Liverpool are the most decorated club in English football (League Titles FA Cup Titles League Cup Titles are superior to anyone else). To say that Liverpool have never (domestically) caused a problem for ManU, Arsenal or Chelsea is preposterous. Under Gerard Houllier Liverpool only lost to ManU once in three seasons. For a recent example relating to Arsenal, may I remind you of who beat the Gunners in the 2001 FA Cup Final (while going on to win an unprecedented 5 trophies in that year).

    From the sounds of it you're a bandwagon Arsenal fan who must be struggling to breathe the thin air up atop of the EPL Table. However, a quick note, only once in the last 12 seasons has the team leading the table at Christmas gone on to win the league. Judging by the books, history has not been nearly as kind Arsenal as it has to Liverpool.

    You're claims are almost as ludicrous as saying the Montreal Canadiens have no hockey history, and I'd love to hear you say that in Montreal.

    YNWA
  11. MK Euro 2008 Czechs..... from Canada writes: When I was growing up in Czechoslovakia,Liverpool was always the top team,with Man-U...{not so same with Arsenal and Chelsea}.

    Teams such QPR,Tottenham,Watford,Everton,West Bromwich Albion etc....were always what English soccer used to represent.

    Now,I do have a bias,because when Liverpool won the Champ. L....last a couple of years ago,Smicer,Baros and Berger were still there...
  12. Norman St. Germain from writes: Another bang up job of reporting by Stephen Brunt. Sadly most North Americans, ie. our brothers and sisters south of Canada, cannot grasp the fact that the true money machines in sports are the PremiereShip and other Euro Leagues. The loyalty of the fans to their clubs, whether, top flight or home town semi-pro club is so fierce it at times can boggle the mind. Myself, except for Canada on the International side, take a ho-hum approach if a team I favour wins or loses.
  13. Synchronicity Tour from Canada writes: Hey Brunt: I really dont get your fascination with Gillett. Whenever you are on McCown you constantly talk about this guy. If you really love him, marry him.
  14. Peter Ross from Canada writes: To Mr. Evan Rhyno . Never a problem for Chelsea or Arsenal or Man UTD? Just who in the world do you think you're kidding pal ? Liverpool has in many ways been the example of how incredibly successful an English club can be. Five European Championships ,more than twice that of Man UTD, and 18 league championships come on. Their last triumph came at the hands of Inter Milan in '05 . The only reason The Reds haven't won more is because of the unfair banning of English clubs after Heysel in '85 . If not Liverpool would, if you look at their record, would be tied with those posers at Real for most European trophies. Liverpool won their first four championships in Europe '77,'78,'81 and '84 without non British players. Thus it was much harder as teams in Europe had many foreigners.

    The Reds are the standard bearer for ALL English clubs to follow. Just look at their trophy case and then get back to me!
  15. Peter Ross from Canada writes: How wrong you are Steve Allan of Welland. Teams like the Tornto Argonauts ,founded 1873, and Hamilton ,founded 1869, have all Premier League clubs beat. A word of advice. Know your history about Canadian sport and then talk. ARRRRRGOOOOOSSS!
  16. ginny ! from Canada writes: strangely, this article uses the word "populace" correctly... while the print article mistakes it for "populous", which means something else entirely.
  17. MK Euro 2008 Czechs..... from Canada writes: Popolous...isn't that "Greek"????
  18. Howdy Hicks from Hog Town, Canada writes: Doesn't this article seem stupid now?!

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