Still there is nothing quite like watching a player up close and live, plus the chance to have a chat to them in person.
Legend has it that Ferguson used to have the MOTM award at Old Trafford rigged, and to be given to any opposition player he was interested in signing. Including one time our very own Nellie for a post game Fergie semi interview.
sounds like a conspiracy theory given the motm award is generally given by the broadcaster not the home manager
Don't under estimate the power of Ferguson at Old Trafford at the time. It may yes have been an Opposition Player of the Day Award, or something a bit different to MOTM.
I can't find it online, but was definitely a story Nellie told about a Blackburn game there, him getting an award as basically cover, to then get ushered into a meeting with Fergie who was interested to suss out the AWs captain face to face. All quite intimidating apparently.
It was on the between two beers podcast interview with Ryan Nelsen.
I think it was more a buttering up exercise than a direct meeting opportunity. Nellie said he had a shocker that day, but got the award anyway.
By all accounts there was genuine interest in signing him.
Reading back on a few messages, I think a lot of people underestimate the level of the Championship as much as they overestimate the level of a struggling Serie A team.
As an Italian, who's followed Libby since he was really young (I even coached against his team when he was 12), I'd loved for him to stay in Italy. However, having watched a lot of Empoli last season, I can see why he'd want a change. They were pants. And the interested teams were all going to be in a similar boat in terms of fighting to avoid relegation.
Wrexham have received a lot of media attention, much of which focused on their being a "vanity project". However, the results speak for themselves. 3 back to back promotions was unheard of in the history of the Football League. They have the means to do well and at least in theory try to challenge for promotion. Why not get amongst that? Imagine if they go up over the next couple of years, Libby could be in the EPL...what an achievement!
If the alternative was to stay in Italy and battle it out with Pisa, Cremonese and Cagliari (my money is on the first two teams going down straight away), I can totally see his reasoning.
B2B that will be it. That episode was a great listen. Yeah I think Ferguson was genuinely interested in Nellie, but from memory it was around the time he started to get a few injuries.
Sorry, but going from a regular starter in Div 1 Italy to playing for a Welsh side thats just a vanity project for a couple of Hollywood hacks does nothing for me.
Agreed.
Can not stand Wrexham or anything about them.
Both of you seem to have a really grim outlook on this. Hardly a vanity project, you only need to look at the investment in the community of Wrexham by the owners and then the wider stuff they are doing to see that this is not just about Reynolds and Mclehenny(sp).
Why you'd hate on a club that has been lifted from the duldrums of non-league footy to the 2nd tier in 4 years is beyond me - maybe its jealousy? It's not your club so you dont like it.
Plenty of rich billionaires buying lcubs to gt what they can out of it witout investing anything close to what the clib needs to be successful - Man U for probably the biggest name to be destroyed by American owners. Wrerxham's owners are completly the opposite.
I don't mind the romantic underdog aspect of the Wrexham story - former Football League club going back to the nineteenth century is languishing in non-league football when two Hollywood actors want to experience some of the thrill of sport by reviving the club with their investment and intoducing sound management. And it works, with three promotions in consecutive years. Watford were a similar story when I was a teenager in the late seventies and early eighties, with Elton John's involvement: "A turning point in the club's history came in the late 1970s. Singer, shareholder and lifelong Watford supporter Elton John became chairman in 1976, and appointed Graham Taylor as manager in 1977. The club achieved consecutive promotions between 1977 and 1979, and reached the First Division for the first time in their history in 1982. Furthermore, in 1982–83 Watford finished second in the First Division, and Luther Blissett was the division's top scorer with 27 goals. Consequently, Watford qualified for the UEFA Cup in 1983–84. They also reached their first FA Cup final, losing 2–0 to Everton at Wembley Stadium." The difference between Watford and Wrexham is that Watford's squad was far stronger than Wrexham's current one: https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/watford-fc/1982/2/ It was basically the same team that got them promotion in 1982 that finished second in the top tier the next season. Wrexham don't have any players of the caliber of Gerry Armstrong or Pat Rice, two of the Northern Ireland team's best ever players (Armstrong scored the winner vs. hosts Spain at the 1982 World Cup; Rice had played hundreds of games for Arsenal before he joined Watford). Two of Watford's own youth products went on to become amongst England's best players of the 1980's - John Barnes and Luther Blissett. Future All Whites coach Keith Pritchett, like Blissett had been with Watford all the way from the Fourth Div to First Div. - but was sold to Blackpool on promotion to the top flight. He liked what he saw in NZ on Watford's tour in 1982 and eventually settled here. A parallel with Cacace going to Wrexham: A top player from a NZ club ended up at Watford in the 1980's. Richard Hill came to NZ as a youngster in 1983 and was Christchurch United's top-scorer that season. On returning to England he was signed by Northampton Town, scored more than 30 goals per season and was signed by Elton john for Watford. Elton remembered this on the Graham Norton Show a few months back when comedian Alan Carr was a fellow guest: "I know your dad! I bought Richard Hill from your dad at Northampton Town." Carr's dad Graham was manager of Northampton Town for many years (subject of Carr's fact-based comedy series "Changing Ends" about growing up with a football manager dad - available on TVNZ+. The player who Graham Carr signs, scores dozens of goals at will and saves the club, is based on former Christchurch United striker Richard Hill !!!!) Two gay British celebrities, both with strong football backgrounds from childhood. (Elton's cousin Roy Dwight was a prominent striker in the 1950's and 1960's, scoring more than a goal every two games for Fulham and Nottingham Forest, including in Forest's 1959 FA Cup Final win). WATFORD'S TOUR OF NZ 1982: When Watford teamed up with the World Cup-bound All Whites ... - Friends of Football Includes the full match program.
Sorry, but going from a regular starter in Div 1 Italy to playing for a Welsh side thats just a vanity project for a couple of Hollywood hacks does nothing for me.
Agreed.
Can not stand Wrexham or anything about them.
Both of you seem to have a really grim outlook on this. Hardly a vanity project, you only need to look at the investment in the community of Wrexham by the owners and then the wider stuff they are doing to see that this is not just about Reynolds and Mclehenny(sp).
Why you'd hate on a club that has been lifted from the duldrums of non-league footy to the 2nd tier in 4 years is beyond me - maybe its jealousy? It's not your club so you dont like it.
Plenty of rich billionaires buying lcubs to gt what they can out of it witout investing anything close to what the clib needs to be successful - Man U for probably the biggest name to be destroyed by American owners. Wrerxham's owners are completly the opposite.
I don't mind the romantic underdog aspect of the Wrexham story - former Football League club going back to the nineteenth century is languishing in non-league football when two Hollywood actors want to experience some of the thrill of sport by reviving the club with their investment and intoducing sound management. And it works, with three promotions in consecutive years. Watford were a similar story when I was a teenager in the late seventies and early eighties, with Elton John's involvement: "A turning point in the club's history came in the late 1970s. Singer, shareholder and lifelong Watford supporter Elton John became chairman in 1976, and appointed Graham Taylor as manager in 1977. The club achieved consecutive promotions between 1977 and 1979, and reached the First Division for the first time in their history in 1982. Furthermore, in 1982–83 Watford finished second in the First Division, and Luther Blissett was the division's top scorer with 27 goals. Consequently, Watford qualified for the UEFA Cup in 1983–84. They also reached their first FA Cup final, losing 2–0 to Everton at Wembley Stadium." The difference between Watford and Wrexham is that Watford's squad was far stronger than Wrexham's current one: https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/watford-fc/1982/2/ It was basically the same team that got them promotion in 1982 that finished second in the top tier the next season. Wrexham don't have any players of the caliber of Gerry Armstrong or Pat Rice, two of the Northern Ireland team's best ever players (Armstrong scored the winner vs. hosts Spain at the 1982 World Cup; Rice had played hundreds of games for Arsenal before he joined Watford). Two of Watford's own youth products went on to become amongst England's best players of the 1980's - John Barnes and Luther Blissett. Future All Whites coach Keith Pritchett, like Blissett had been with Watford all the way from the Fourth Div to First Div. - but was sold to Blackpool on promotion to the top flight. He liked what he saw in NZ on Watford's tour in 1982 and eventually settled here. A parallel with Cacace going to Wrexham: A top player from a NZ club ended up at Watford in the 1980's. Richard Hill came to NZ as a youngster in 1983 and was Christchurch United's top-scorer that season. On returning to England he was signed by Northampton Town, scored more than 30 goals per season and was signed by Elton john for Watford. Elton remembered this on the Graham Norton Show a few months back when comedian Alan Carr was a fellow guest: "I know your dad! I bought Richard Hill from your dad at Northampton Town." Carr's dad Graham was manager of Northampton Town for many years (subject of Carr's fact-based comedy series "Changing Ends" about growing up with a football manager dad - available on TVNZ+. The player who Graham Carr signs, scores dozens of goals at will and saves the club, is based on former Christchurch United striker Richard Hill !!!!) Two gay British celebrities, both with strong football backgrounds from childhood. (Elton's cousin Roy Dwight was a prominent striker in the 1950's and 1960's, scoring more than a goal every two games for Fulham and Nottingham Forest, including in Forest's 1959 FA Cup Final win). WATFORD'S TOUR OF NZ 1982: When Watford teamed up with the World Cup-bound All Whites ... - Friends of Football Includes the full match program.
I went to the game in CHCH at QEII Stadium. There are definately comparrisons between Watford & Wrexham. Neither have owners splashing the cash recklessly. This is good common sense. Unlike the rich rich rich clubs that blow 50+ Million on guys not worth 10 Million.
Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!
Sorry, but going from a regular starter in Div 1 Italy to playing for a Welsh side thats just a vanity project for a couple of Hollywood hacks does nothing for me.
Agreed.
Can not stand Wrexham or anything about them.
Both of you seem to have a really grim outlook on this. Hardly a vanity project, you only need to look at the investment in the community of Wrexham by the owners and then the wider stuff they are doing to see that this is not just about Reynolds and Mclehenny(sp).
Why you'd hate on a club that has been lifted from the duldrums of non-league footy to the 2nd tier in 4 years is beyond me - maybe its jealousy? It's not your club so you dont like it.
Plenty of rich billionaires buying lcubs to gt what they can out of it witout investing anything close to what the clib needs to be successful - Man U for probably the biggest name to be destroyed by American owners. Wrerxham's owners are completly the opposite.
I don't mind the romantic underdog aspect of the Wrexham story - former Football League club going back to the nineteenth century is languishing in non-league football when two Hollywood actors want to experience some of the thrill of sport by reviving the club with their investment and intoducing sound management. And it works, with three promotions in consecutive years. Watford were a similar story when I was a teenager in the late seventies and early eighties, with Elton John's involvement: "A turning point in the club's history came in the late 1970s. Singer, shareholder and lifelong Watford supporter Elton John became chairman in 1976, and appointed Graham Taylor as manager in 1977. The club achieved consecutive promotions between 1977 and 1979, and reached the First Division for the first time in their history in 1982. Furthermore, in 1982–83 Watford finished second in the First Division, and Luther Blissett was the division's top scorer with 27 goals. Consequently, Watford qualified for the UEFA Cup in 1983–84. They also reached their first FA Cup final, losing 2–0 to Everton at Wembley Stadium." The difference between Watford and Wrexham is that Watford's squad was far stronger than Wrexham's current one: https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/watford-fc/1982/2/ It was basically the same team that got them promotion in 1982 that finished second in the top tier the next season. Wrexham don't have any players of the caliber of Gerry Armstrong or Pat Rice, two of the Northern Ireland team's best ever players (Armstrong scored the winner vs. hosts Spain at the 1982 World Cup; Rice had played hundreds of games for Arsenal before he joined Watford). Two of Watford's own youth products went on to become amongst England's best players of the 1980's - John Barnes and Luther Blissett. Future All Whites coach Keith Pritchett, like Blissett had been with Watford all the way from the Fourth Div to First Div. - but was sold to Blackpool on promotion to the top flight. He liked what he saw in NZ on Watford's tour in 1982 and eventually settled here. A parallel with Cacace going to Wrexham: A top player from a NZ club ended up at Watford in the 1980's. Richard Hill came to NZ as a youngster in 1983 and was Christchurch United's top-scorer that season. On returning to England he was signed by Northampton Town, scored more than 30 goals per season and was signed by Elton john for Watford. Elton remembered this on the Graham Norton Show a few months back when comedian Alan Carr was a fellow guest: "I know your dad! I bought Richard Hill from your dad at Northampton Town." Carr's dad Graham was manager of Northampton Town for many years (subject of Carr's fact-based comedy series "Changing Ends" about growing up with a football manager dad - available on TVNZ+. The player who Graham Carr signs, scores dozens of goals at will and saves the club, is based on former Christchurch United striker Richard Hill !!!!) Two gay British celebrities, both with strong football backgrounds from childhood. (Elton's cousin Roy Dwight was a prominent striker in the 1950's and 1960's, scoring more than a goal every two games for Fulham and Nottingham Forest, including in Forest's 1959 FA Cup Final win). WATFORD'S TOUR OF NZ 1982: When Watford teamed up with the World Cup-bound All Whites ... - Friends of Football Includes the full match program.
The deal was announced while Wrexham were in Cacace’s hometown, which meant Parkinson and Williamson could celebrate over a glass of wine at La Bella.
Wrexham CEO Williamson played an instrumental role in the signing.
He had previously worked for Serie A giants Inter Milan so was familiar with Cacace’s agent and was able to speak directly with the sporting director at Empoli about the left back.
“It was great to meet his dad, his mum and dad. We went down to the restaurant and he treated us to a glass of wine,” Parkinson said.
Does anyone know if the cameras were present when the coach and CEO went to la Bella italia? Just need to know if petone will end up in season 5. Huge if so.
wearing #2, earned a free kick and sent in a couple of decent crosses, one that Barnett who really should have done better with.
Three good balls in from the left in the 2min+ mark, could have had a hattrick of assists on another day. Possibly at fault for the 3rd goal, didn't track his man all the way to the post.
Just restarted my BeIn subscription ($120 for 12 months is a real steal) so I'll be watching him and Waineo as often as I can. Looking forward to the season starting this weekend! Up the town 😁
Just restarted my BeIn subscription ($120 for 12 months is a real steal) so I'll be watching him and Waineo as often as I can. Looking forward to the season starting this weekend! Up the town 😁
Only $120?? Was $129 last year. Mines due for renewal on about the 20th Aug. That's me. In for it.
Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!
Just restarted my BeIn subscription ($120 for 12 months is a real steal) so I'll be watching him and Waineo as often as I can. Looking forward to the season starting this weekend! Up the town 😁
Only $120?? Was $129 last year. Mines due for renewal on about the 20th Aug. That's me. In for it.
Yeah I think it was $120...maybe a tad more but def less than $130! Last year I paid per month but that's $14.99 x 12 so it works out quite a bit more expensive. So I switched it off during the European summer. But for that price, they have the Serie A, and a bunch of other leagues and now that we have Kiwis throughout the entire UK football pyramid I thought why not! Plus it's hard to resist Wrexham...especially now they have acquired Libby
does BEIN have the games available to watch delayed??
Yup, but they don’t show every single game, but you can get highlights of other games, looks like the 1st 3 Wrexham games are being broadcast definitely. And to watch the games later it’s in the “latest videos “ section Got Waine being televised this weekend along with Libby
Big game too, Southampton obviously one of the big fish in this league. In saying that, that's more for the team as a whole rather than for Libby, given last year he was playing against Napoli, Inter, Juve, etc.
Had two very handy touches in what could have a successful counter attack, but Moore can’t manage to square the ball to the free man steaming in at the back post after Cacace had played him through.
Hasn’t had too much to do. Wrexham 1-0 up, but playing without the ball a lot. Possession must be quite low.
Had two very handy touches in what could have a successful counter attack, but Moore can’t manage to square the ball to the free man steaming in at the back post after Cacace had played him through.
Hasn’t had too much to do. Wrexham 1-0 up, but playing without the ball a lot. Possession must be quite low.
Brutal result, must have been about 85" he went off, and they conceded two to lost 2-1. Libby looked comfortable overall didn't he, with the dirty physical stuff too. Ideally needs to shine in this league and the Premier League dream is there for player and club in 2-3 years. I thought Wrexham had alot of the referee's luck. That one that hit the cross bar about 11mins in he had overlapped and would have driven to the byline. He's so much better with freedom of 3 at the back, shame it doesn't fit the national team / unlikely to change before world cup. Boxall/Surman/Bindon would do it alright.
Supporting the supporters and love an away day anywhere in the world. Kiwis Can Fly!
McLean (his replacement) partly at fault for the winner, so I'd say Libby's stocks are riding high. Had a good game I thought...quite a lot of defending and not a lot of attacking but he showed competence and was ever so quick in transition. If Wrexham play like this this season, you can see Libby getting a number of great opportunities to assist or score.
McLean did all right. His cross for one of Palmer's goals was a peach. He did lose the ball a lot but he was quick at shutting attackers down and had a good game overall. He even scored his pen. Wrexham did really well in the first and last 20 minutes of each half but were nowhere to be seen in the intervening period, hence the 3 goals conceded during that time.
Libby was on the bench along wirh most of the team that started their Championship campaign on the weekend. Many of them came on when it was still 2-1 to Hull.. You'd think he'll start at the weekend given that McLean is 36 and just played 90 min midweek
