Liverpool Legends in Grenada - June 2009

• Football Punk Article 

• Grenada programmes
• UK programmes

The Liverpool Legends week in Grenada took place from 10 June 2009 -17 June 2009. The following highlights both the challenges and successes shared by the Foundation and its staff during the period leading up to and during the week-long visit.

The organisation and administration for the Liverpool Legends week involved considerable input from both the Foundation’s staff in Grenada and the UK-based team. The efforts in Grenada were led by the Foundation’s Caribbean Development Manager, Gary Mulcahey, supported by Andre Patterson (Chairman) and a team of 8 volunteers. The UK-based team was led by Otis Roberts.

Exhibition Match

The Foundation’s main showpiece event for the week was a match between Liverpool Legends v Grenada Select XI in the National Stadium, with pre-match entertainment and activities such as the JRF Junior Cup Final, a Celebrity v Politicians game and music from local artists.

Unfortunately, ten days before the planned event the venue had to be moved to the Athletics Stadium as the West Indies Cricket Board objected to the games taking place in the National Stadium since the test match for West Indies v Bangladesh was scheduled during July. The board did not believe there was sufficient time to prepare the wicket following the exhibition game. The Athletics Stadium was an inferior venue having been badly damaged during Hurricane Ivan in 2004. The football pitch was not in good condition although the Sports Ministry gave an undertaking to the Foundation to seed and water the pitch daily in an attempt to improve the standard of the pitch. On a positive note holding the match at the hurricane damaged stadium highlighted the need for it to be fixed up rather than it being left in disrepair. The change in venue had to be communicated to the public, vendors and ticket outlets by means of the radio and direct contact.

Plans were further hindered on the morning of the match with heavy rains and after a pitch inspection by the Foundation’s staff, it was decided from a health and safety perspective to cancel the JRF Junior Cup Final and delay the exhibition match to try and remedy the waterlogged pitch. The JRF Junior Cup Final has been rescheduled for the end of August – date to be confirmed. Despite weather conditions the exhibition match went ahead and Liverpool Legends won the game 6-1 with the Grenada Select XI team including Jason Roberts, Otis Roberts, Andre Paterson and Cyrille Regis.

Despite the many obstacles and challenges the Foundation had to overcome for the match to take place, the players, corporate guests and crowd enjoyed the event and the match day was a success.

Fair Play handshake takes place after the National Anthems

The crowd enjoying the match

Floodlights turned on and Bruce Grobbelaar organises his defence

Jason Roberts addresses the crowd after the game

Coaching Sessions

Grenada Boys Secondary School
On Friday 12 June 2009 the Liverpool Legends delivered a session at Tanteen playing field in St George for the Grenada Boys Secondary School Football Team and were impressed with the skill levels of the boys that took part in the practical session. After the session, the Liverpool players held a question & answer session, providing both technical and inspirational advice to the boys.

GBSS boys receive coaching tips from Liverpool Legend Phil Thompson

The Limes Special Education School
On Monday 15 June 2009 the Foundation’s Caribbean Development Manager, Gary Mulcahey, delivered a session at The Limes Special Education School in St George, whilst the Liverpool Legends observed and interacted with the children. Jason Roberts and Trustee, Cyrille Regis were also in attendance at the Limes.

Jason Roberts meets the children of The Limes Special Education school

Travis fires a shot past goalkeeper Phil Thompson!!

River Sallee After School Club
On Tuesday 16 June 2009 the Liverpool Legends visited River Sallee in St Patrick, the most northern Parish of Grenada, to deliver a coaching session to one of the JRF After School Clubs. The session was split into two, 6-11 year olds and 12-16 year olds. Facilities in this area are lacking and therefore the kids living in this area don’t have the same opportunities of children living in other parishes. The focus of the Foundation in areas such as River Sallee is vital in offering children the same advantages as others.

The West Indies opening batsmen, and Liverpool Legends guest player, Devon Smith, was also in attendance at the session to show his support for the Foundation’s work.

The Foundation also presented the Under 10s team, who had reached the JRF Junior Cup Final now re-scheduled for the end of August, with England shirts.

Children in River Sallee, St Patrick battle for the ball with Mark Walters looking on

Phil Thompson presents the Under10s team with their new England shirts

The coaching sessions brought the Liverpool Legends up close to a cross section of the youth of Grenada, motivating and enthusing young players.

Events

Welcome Reception at The Calabash Hotel
The Calabash Hotel hosted a champagne reception for the Liverpool Legends upon their arrival in Grenada. Guests included corporate sponsors, local businessmen and members of the volunteer committee.

Leo and Matt Garbutt of The Calabash pictured with some of the Legends

The Grenadian by Rex Resorts Cocktail Party
The Grenada Board of Tourism hosted a cocktail party for the Liverpool Legends and Grenada Select XI at The Grenadian on the eve of the exhibition match. Both teams met for the first time and invited guests included the Honourable Peter David, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Patricia Maher, General Manager of Digicel and Lester Smith from the Grenada Football Association.

Otis Roberts with the Honourable Peter David

Beach BBQ
On Sunday 14 June 2009 a beach BBQ was held at the Mount Cinnamon Cabana Beach Bar on Grand Anse beach. Activities included beach cricket, limbo dancing and fire twirling. Over 150 people attended the event and the Foundation raised £5,000 from an auction of Liverpool Memorabilia donated by the players and Liverpool FC. Auctioned items included:

• Steven Gerrard signed boots
• Steven Gerrard signed shirt
• Fernando Torres signed shirt
• Pepe Reina signed boots
• 2 x Signed Liverpool Legends retro shirts
• Jason Roberts Foundation signed Liverpool Legends t-shirt

Mount Cinnamon also donated the profit from the day.

The Liverpool Legends signed autographs, posed for photos and engaged with both Grenadians and tourists.

Beach cricket

Liverpool Legends at the beach BBQ on Grand Anse Beach

Beach BBQ co-ordinator, Ian, holds a Liverpool signed shirt for auction

Sponsors and Partners

The Foundation’s key partners and sponsors for the Liverpool Legend week’s activities were:

• Harlequin Properties – the Foundation’s main sponsor
• Golden Caribbean – donated six flights from the UK to Grenada
• Calabash Hotel & Villas – provided accommodation for the players, breakfast each day and hosted the welcome reception.
• Digicel - provided a donation of £2500 plus product and branding for the event.
• Prickly Bay Waterside – provided a donation of £2500 and hosted a lunch.
• Sol Mutuel – provided a donation of £1000
• St George’s University - provided transport, accommodation for staff members, and hosted a cocktail party.
• Grenada Board of Tourism – provided accommodation and breakfast for the Grenada Select XI team and hosted a cocktail party.

Secondary sponsorship came in the form of donations in kind or discount on products for the event and they included:

• Grenada Breweries
• Westerhall Rum Factory
• Petit Anse Hotel & Restaurant
• Mi Hacienda Restaurant
• La Source Resort
• The Grenadian by Rex Resorts
• Mount Cinnamon Hotel
• CK Wholesalers
• Admiral Kit Suppliers
• Glynn Trophies & Medals
• Aquarium Catering
• Banana’s and Piankhi Promotions

Golden Grenada sponsored some of the seats on the Monarch flight

Sponsors Digicel had their logo on the team shirts

The Foundation now needs to build upon the partnerships established in association with the event and maintain their support with future activities.

Media Coverage

The Foundation was able to secure a great deal of TV, radio and national newspaper coverage for the event as Gary Mulcahey has established an effective relationship with the Island’s press and media houses over the past 12 months. The Liverpool Legends were interviewed on GIS and GBN breakfast programmes and also the most popular radio show in Grenada, the Jericho Morning Show. Press releases were released and covered by all the national newspapers including the Advocate, Spice Isle Review and the Voice.

Press Conferences were well attended by the media at the Ministry Building for the launch of the event and at the press conference at the Calabash Hotel with the Liverpool Legends themselves.

The week’s activities were also covered by the UK based magazine Football Punk.

The media coverage is seen as one of the successes of the event.

Michael Thomas and Gary Mulcahey appear on the popular ‘Jericho Radioshow’

Press launch at The Calabash Hotel

The panel receive questions from the floor

Jason Roberts, Mark Wright and Phil Thompson appear on GBN Morning Show

Conclusion

Jason Roberts said “The Liverpool Legends week has raised the profile of the Foundation’s work significantly across the Island, regionally and in the UK. The event has underpinned the Foundation’s ongoing activities and presence in Grenada and it has promoted and will hopefully lead to further investment/sponsorship in grass roots sport on the Island and in the UK." He added, “I would like to thank all the partners and people who worked behind the scenes who helped to make this event possible."