Thursday 27 February 2014

Vauxhall Media Bulletin for March Internationals available!


Vauxhall’s media bulletins are back and bigger than ever to assist you with your coverage of international football.

With more stats, facts and figures, covering all four home nations, you need not look anywhere else for your pre-match preparation.

England take on Denmark in their first warm up game of 2014, with Wales hosting Iceland at The Cardiff City Stadium.

Scotland and Northern Ireland are both on the road as they take on Poland and Cyprus respectively.

Our ‘Did You Know” section will raise a few eyebrows and of course our Vauxhall teasers will separate the fans from the fanatics!

To request a Vauxhall media bulletin please contact Dale Moon on dale.moon@macesport.co.uk.

For more information on all four Home Nations, click here.

Wednesday 26 February 2014

Vauxhall announce partnership with You Tube sensation



Vauxhall, the official sponsor of Home Nations football, have announced a new partnership with YouTube sensation STR Skill School.

Steve Roberts, creator of one of the biggest football channels in the world, whose recent work includes the “Insane Football Skills” video, will be producing a multitude of edits as part of Vauxhall’s digital strategy for 2014.

STR Skill School's first involvement will be to join Vauxhall in their fourth-annual Big Pitch competition, fielding a team of YouTube subscribers to run out on the hallowed Wembley turf.

Watch STR Skill School's Big Pitch video – click here.

Enter the Big Pitch Competition with Vauxhall – click here.

Forde: "We'll need to be at our best"



Precision Goalkeeper David Forde has said Ireland will need to be at their best if they are to qualify from what he described as a “mini-group” within Euro 2016 qualification Group D.

“It’s a tough group,” Forde told RTÉ Sport.

“You’re looking at Germany probably looking like the strongest outfit, Poland and Scotland and ourselves in that mini-group to qualify for the second spot.

“We beat Poland at home and we drew 0-0 away recently, as well, so you know we know we need to be on our game, and if we are up to our best, I think we can qualify.”

Follow @PrecisionGK on Twitter.

Like Precision Goalkeeping on Facebook. 

Tuesday 25 February 2014

National Managers name squads from Vauxhall retailers



Home Nations managers Chris Coleman and Gordon Strachan named their squads for Wales' and Scotland's upcoming friendlies from Vauxhall retailers.

Coleman named his 23 man-squad for Wales’ friendly against Iceland with a little help from Evans Halshaw in Newport, whilst Strachan included Darren Fletcher in his squad for Scotland's trip to Poland.

Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill is also set to name his squad who will be travelling to Cyprus from Vauxhall retailer Charles Hurst Belfast.

Brian Edwards of Evans Halshaw commented, “Like all passionate football fans, the staff here will be getting behind the Chris Coleman and team once again this year. It was great to see him talk to our workers who were thrilled to meet him."

For more information on Vauxhall Home Nations Football - click here.

Thursday 20 February 2014

The Vauxhall Big Pitch is back!



Vauxhall, the England team sponsor, are giving fans the chance to fulfill their dreams by running out and playing at Wembley Stadium.

The Big Pitch has returned for a fourth successive year and provides supporters the chance of a lifetime to play the beautiful game at the national stadium with special guests.

To enter the the competition, visit the Vauxhall Football website here.

Watch the 2013 Big Pitch highlights here.

Soccerex re-signs with leading trade media



Soccerex, the global leader for the business of football, is renewing its partnership with the two leading industry publications – SportsPro and fcbusiness.

The partnerships will see Soccerex events promoted through the channels provided by each media with the two companies having an active participation at Soccerex events.

SportsPro

Published 11 times a year, SportsPro magazine is the industry-leading monthly publication covering the commercial, political and organisational aspects of global professional sport. Complemented by a richly informative daily e-bulletin, the SportsPro DailyDeal, and a comprehensive sports industry website, sportspromedia.com, SportsPro continues to provide a running commentary on all the major themes, issues and trends from across the international sporting spectrum whilst also showcasing many of the leading figures, companies, brands, and events.

“SportsPro are delighted to renew their global media partnership with Soccerex for 2014. Being involved with the Soccerex events allows us unparalleled access to great content and personnel from the football industry across the globe. This assists us in producing in-depth stories for both SportsPro and SoccerexPro magazine on some of the most important topics of today, and connects us with the most influential personnel in football.”

fcbusiness

fcbusiness is the business magazine for the UK and Republic of Ireland football industry serving as a practical guide to those involved in the business of running a football club at every level. Published since 2004 and celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, fcbusiness is now at the forefront of the football industry and continues to make huge strides when linking buyers and sellers as well as providing insight, discussion, research and information on all topics that impact the football world. Featuring product reviews, case studies, interviews, research and comment on all the areas that touch the industry from finance, stadium development, safety & security to merchandise, ticketing and hospitality, fcbusiness is the first port of call for information in this ever-expanding industry.

“I am delighted to be re-signing partnerships with these two prestigious sports industry publications,” said David Wright, Marketing Director of Soccerex. “Soccerex prides itself in working with the leading players in the industry and both SportsPro and FC Business fit into that category.”

Tuesday 18 February 2014

Parlour speaking at Football Mash Up: Wenger will shrug off spat


Ray Parlour believes Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is unruffled by Jose Mourinho's "specialist in failure" barb and focused purely on masterminding a Champions League victory over Bayern Munich.

Wenger responded to Chelsea manager Mourinho's taunt - relating to the Gunners' trophy drought dating back to the 2005 FA Cup - by saying he was "embarrassed" for the Portuguese.

And former Arsenal midfield mainstay Parlour, who was speaking at a Vauxhall Football Mash Up event in Paddington, told Press Association Sport: "Arsene Wenger won't let it bother him. He's had his say back and that's the end of it.

"That's how Arsene Wenger works. He'll be worrying about his team and getting them prepared for Wednesday night against Bayern Munich.

"It's a much bigger deal than what Jose Mourinho said."

The comments reopened a feud between the two bosses following a fragile truce and prompted Parlour to suggest there should be more respect shown between managers.

"I think there should be a code of respect, like when you respect your fellow players," said Parlour.

"Everybody's trying to win trophies, everybody's trying to be successful, but sometimes you can go over the top a little bit.

"Whether Jose Mourinho looks back - and he probably doesn't regret it - but maybe looks back and says 'Maybe I went too far this time'. If you look at Arsene Wenger's record it's not too bad: two doubles, he won the FA Cup a few times, he had an unbeaten season.

"Everybody knows the last eight or nine years they haven't won a trophy, they're trying to put that right.

"A lot has changed in the club. They've more or less paid the stadium off and there's lots of opportunity now."

Parlour, who played for six years under Wenger, hopes Arsenal can end their trophy drought this term.

As well as their Premier League and Champions League challenges, Arsenal have secured a home tussle with Everton in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup - a competition Mourinho's Chelsea exited on Saturday.

Parlour said: "I'm always very optimistic. I look at the FA Cup. It's going to be a tricky game against Everton, but they've got to capitalise on home advantage to try to get to Wembley for the semi-final."

First the Gunners must focus on playing Bayern, a team they beat in the second leg at the last-16 stage last season but still tumbled out to on away goals.

The German giants visit the Emirates Stadium first, and Parlour fancies his old club to gain a first-leg advantage.

"Arsenal will have a chance being at home," Parlour said.

"I just hope they can do themselves justice and put their grade A game on and give Bayern Munich a game."

Parlour was speaking at an event designed to encourage teenagers to keep playing football.

The Football Association's director of the national game and women's football Kelly Simmons told Press Association Sport: "Mini-soccer and children's football has been going through big growth, but adult football's been in decline.

"One of the things we know we've got to do to help grow the adult game is to stop that drop-off.

"Some of them just want to be able to turn up, play games and have fun when they can, more recreational.

"If teenagers want to play in our traditional club football, then fantastic.

"If they want something more recreational, more flexible, we've got that too."

Vauxhall's Football Mash Up is aimed at getting more 14-17 year olds playing football - for more information go to www.facebook.com/footballmashup

Monday 17 February 2014

Precision teams up with McDonald’s to supply its community football programme


Precision announce a new partnership with McDonald’s to supply kit and equipment for its community football scheme.

The partnership will see Britain’s fastest growing sports brand, Precision, supply football kit and equipment to support McDonald’s restaurants and their relationships with local grassroots football clubs across the UK.

As part of the agreement Precision will also supply football strips to McDonald’s restaurants that take part in the annual McDonald’s Cup Finals – an internal five a side competition that has over 650 participating teams.

Founded in 2005, Precision has become Britain’s number one choice for specialist sports training aids and apparel - from elite professional through to grass roots level.

David Sanderson, Brand and Marketing Director at Precision, said; “We are delighted to have partnered with McDonald’s to help to support its community football scheme.

Precision and McDonald’s are both synonymous with grassroots football across the UK, so it is the perfect match.”

For more information about Precision go to www.precisiontraining.uk.com

For more information about McDonald’s support of grassroots football across the UK visit www.mcdonalds.co.uk/kickstart

Friday 7 February 2014

Premier League Tops Europe's Big Spenders



The English Premier League has flexed its financial muscles in the transfer market and comes out on top of the big spenders across Europe.

The Soccerex Transfer Review by Prime Time Sport has, this morning, released figures showing that the Premier League clubs spent a mammoth 52% of the total investment on players across the top 5 leagues in Europe this winter.

Premier League spending topped €150 million compared to €53 million in French Ligue 1, €42 million in Italian Serie A, €33 million in the Bundesliga and just €12 million in Spanish La Liga.

The confidence given from the new collective broadcast deals for English clubs is highlighted by the fact that the spending is also spread across more clubs in England than any other in Europe.

Whilst Chelsea and Manchester United top the European spending, with €52.8 million and €45 million respectively, Fulham (€16.3 million) and Hull City (€15.2 million) also feature in the top 10 of the biggest spenders in Europe.

Interestingly 7 of Europe’s biggest names, Arsenal, AC Milan, Real Madrid, Juventus, Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Barcelona made no investment during the winter window.

Indeed, it is the third consecutive year that Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Barcelona have made no purchases.

Chelsea – Kings of the Winter Window

The Soccerex Transfer Review by Prime Time Sport, also shows Chelsea to be the “Kings of the Winter Window”.

In the last 5 seasons Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea have had both the highest expenditure (€180 million) and most sales (€82 million) during the winter window.

This year Chelsea topped both tables again spending €45 million on players whilst recouping €62 million.

They also released the highest number of players in Europe at 13.

Importance of the loan market

The importance of the loan market is highlighted in both Serie A and the Premier League.

In Serie A 76% of the players leaving the league went out on loan to other clubs.

The Premier League recruited 41% of the new players on loan, a significant growth from 29% in 2012.

Squad sizes

As UEFA Financial Fair Play comes in to full effect, the net decrease of players in the Premier League has also reached an all time high.

The net figure of -83 in 2013 is more than double the figure for the Premier League in 2012 (40).

Italy remains the highest, however, with a net figure of -177. This is the fourth consecutive year that both leagues have shown an increasing net decrease.

Parma released the highest number of players with 40 leaving the club this winter.

The total number of players signed by the top 5 leagues in Europe was down by 14% to 257.

Overall

European spending is down 4.3% to €290 million in 2014.

However, total spending in the 2013 transfer windows is up to a record high of €2.4 billion – an increase of 32% on 2012.

Investment seems to equal improved performance – the top 6 spending clubs in the Premier League have increased their points ratio so far this season.

Esteve Calzada, former CMO, FC Barcelona and CEO, Prime Time Sport said;

“What our data reinforces is just how important the English Premier League is to global football. The fact that spending is spread across more English clubs than any other in Europe is arguably testament to the quality of football being played up and down the country and the worldwide interest in viewing it.”

Other key stats revealed in the review include;

  • Manchester City is the top scoring side in Europe with an average of 2.84 goals per game, slightly ahead of Real Madrid and FC Barcelona (2.79).
  • The Premier League is the most competitive league so far during the 2013/14 season with the top 3 teams collecting 71.9% of the points on average).
  • Investment in new players brought better pitch performance, as all 6 top 6 spending sides of the summer in the Premier League have improved their points rate. 

Read the full Soccerex Transfer Review by Prime Time Sport go to http://mysoccerex.com/Soccerex_Transfer_Review_2014_winter_edition.pdf

Thursday 6 February 2014

Running your first London marathon like Mo Farah? Perform SGP can help!

Mo.jpg



This year, the Virgin Money London Marathon will be more hotly anticipated than ever as long distance running's biggest star and London-local Mo Farah will compete across the 26.2 mile race for the first time.

The London 2012 double gold medallist won't be the only one running his first London Marathon, however. Thousands of amateur runners will also be taking to the streets of London for their biggest physical challenge yet. Many will be fulfilling a personal goal, raising money for charitable causes or even racing in fancy dress!

Whether you will be aiming for a world record pace or simply just making it round the course, careful preparation is key.

Paul Williamson, lead physiotherapist at Perform St George's Park explains how runners can avoid illness and injury prevention by tailoring their marathon training programme. Paul highlights how nutrition, hydration, varied training programmes and sports massage are all crucial in feeling your best on race day. Read the full blog here.

In their cutting-edge Burton facility the Perform team offer a range of services tailored just for marathon runners, including a 2.5 hour Train-Monitor-Recover package.

Follow @PerformSGP on Twitter.

Find out more about all Perform St George's Park services on their website.

Tuesday 4 February 2014

Trio of Wembley games sell out as NFL chief reveals UK franchise looms nearer.


NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell confirmed  this week, that the three NFL International Series games at Wembley are completely sold out.

Speaking at his annual address ahead of Super Bowl XLVIII, Goodell also admitted that London is ‘further down the road’ to having a permanent team.

‘I believe that the response to the third game in the UK, and the way that the fans have embraced that, sold that out in such a short period of time is just another indication that the more we give fans in the UK, of NFL football, the more they want,’ said Goodell. 

‘That's a great tribute to the fans there, and their passion.’

Read the full Daily Mail article - click here.

Follow @NFLUK on Twitter.

Find out more about the NFL in the UK here.

Are you Northern Ireland's Ultimate Fan?



As official sponsors of Home Nations football, Vauxhall are giving away the chance to become Northern Ireland’s Official Blogger for 2014!

The blogger will get the chance to publish their views, comments and opinions for 2014, as Michael O’Neill’s boys look to kick-start their Euro 2016 Qualifying campaign.

As Vauxhall’s Northern Ireland blogger they will become the official voice of the fans with their work published on Vauxhall’s dedicated football website.

For full details of how to enter, click here.

Follow @VauxhallNI on Twitter.

Like Vauxhall Northern Ireland on Facebook.