Wrapped Up: World Cup is an online comedy series that wraps up each stage of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in a unique and lo-fi style.
In this episode… As Germany’s unstoppable run continues through another stage of the tournament, their manager Jogi Löw hits the streets of London to give his Fashion Löwdown. PLUS we take a look at some of Brazil’s goals courtesy of Brazilian channel El Loco Televizione…
England’s footballers suffered more humiliation last night after Nationwide, their official sponsor, dumped them after 11 years. The building society confirmed this week that it will let the £20m contract expire at the close of July.
It was generally understood that the building society was prepared to pledge another four years of sponsorship to the team before the lacklustre performance at the World Cup 2010.
The FA however kept its options open believing that they would be successful at the World Cup thus attracting sponsors that were prepared to pay a much larger amount of sponsorship. However, at the time they believed that Nationwide would keep its offer opening even if England did not perform well.
However, now that their risk failed the FA has to desperately search for a new sponsor before the August 11th match against Hungary at Wembley.
Many of the 15 million members of Nationwide should be pleased with decision as they became irritated of supporting England in the midst of its financial problems.
Some have even expressed frustration with England’s website with Clive Totman stating that given the current financial situation many directors question if football passions should be expressed when the money would be better spent on lower mortgage rates or member benefits.
The past deal included media interview backdrop boards, an all training kit, broadcast sponsorship rights, and ticket rights.
Nationwide also was able to use the Three Lions crest on promotions, advertising, and had access to players for personal advertising efforts.
Owner of Stirling Albion, Peter McKenzie, stated that he is thrilled to offer the supporters the task of running the club after an agreement was reached on a groundbreaking takeover.
The Binos are now owned by the ‘Supporters’ Trust thus making history as the first senior football club in the UK to be owned 100% by the community.
McKenzie reached a principal agreement with Supporters Trust that will allow the Trust to take immediate control of the day-to-day activities subject to the finalization of legal formalities.
The deal value which is a settlement of a one off cash payment to McKenzie at about £300,000 and a settlement of debts also includes the agreement that a £1.2m loan from the previous owner will be written off.
The chairman announced that he is glad that true fans will now be responsible for the club’s future and that although there were various offers on the table for the club he is glad to see it go to the local community.
Paul Goodwin, the ‘Buy Stirling Albion spokesperson, stated that he is also thrilled at the news and stated that throughout all of the negotiations McKenzie kept the wellbeing of the club and community in mind and since those are the central points of the trust they are glad to see the finished result.
Goodwin continued to say that the acquisition has the potential to change the way that people view Scottish football within communities.
Fabio Capello seems safe in his job with England after the Football Association hierarchy has offered a large amount of support. Premier League chairman, Sir David Richards, who is the head of ‘Club England’ is being urged to offer his recommendation to the FA board that Capello is kept at as the England boss even thought the team failed at the World Cup.
FA director of football development, Sir Trevor Brooking, is also understood to want Capello to fulfil his contract which runs until 2012.
Brooking is said to feel that replacing Capello will not solve the English football team’s problems and a group of FA board members also feel the same way.
Instead, Brooking is expected to argue that a better funding marsterplan be created so that young players will be attracted to the sport and also that coaches be increased at the youth level.
Also adding to the argument to keep Capello is his ten years of experience with the AC Milan academy as he could offer valuable input into how to develop the talent of young players.
In addition, a few FA figureheads think that the club could save £9m by not firing Capello and spending time and money looking for a replacement. Instead, the money could be spent on youth development.
In addition, the last two years left on Capello’s contract would offer Stuart Pearce the opportunity to gain more experience as Capello’s assistant and at the under 21 level.
Micheal Owenis one of several current English Premier League players that BT will be using to promote their new BT Vision Sky Sports packages.
From 1st July 2010, BT will begin to promote the BT Vision’s Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports 2 packages that will be available from August 1 2010 – spending more than £30m on TV, radio, press, outdoor and Digital Media promotion.
Owne will be on the television ad, alongside current footballers such Shay Given, Gareth Bale and Wes Brown. Also feautred will be the BT advert regular Adam, who is played by Kris Marshall.
The ad follows Adam from his flat, down the lift and into the carpark as the sound of a football crowd gets louder and louder. He heads toward a square of bright light ahead and as he keeps walking toward the light, he finds himself in a football tunnel, joined by Michael Owen, Shay Given, Gareth Bale and Wes Brown lining up to go out on the pitch. The ad culminates with Adam running out on to the pitch.
Entry prices for the new Sky Sports service will be as low as £6.99, with BT hoping to capture a slice of the market for TV football viewing with either new viewers or switching viewers put off by the high prices with Sky.