Chevrolet unites LFC and MUFC in footie campaign... #FAIL

Words: Ronan Shields

In a sign that the world has GONE MAD and that ‘the people’s game’ is now the possession of corporate interests, Chevrolet has released a YouTube video showing Manchester United & Liverpool players as one.

The US car manufacturer – which has commercial relationships with both clubs – has just released a video showing four players from each team as one entity reading a monologue to camera, see below.

Ryan Giggs, Rio Ferdinand, Robin van Persie and Paul Scholes appear in the ad for MUFC, while Liverpool's representatives are Jordan Henderson, Joe Allen, Glen Johnson and Jonjo Shelvey.

The video has been dubbed ‘The Manifesto – Chevrolet FC’ and the accompanying social media campaign runs with the tag line ‘What Are You #DrivenBy?’

“Manchester United and Liverpool FC are unified by a mutual respect and driven by success…,” reads the blurb on the official ChevroletFC YouTube page. 

However, social media channels are already are awash with mixed responses with many fans claiming that the ad is simply a demonstration that the US brand does not get English football and that naïve minds are responsible for the campaign.

All three of the parties and associated players are of course paying lip service to the campaign. However, at TDF here we find it difficult to imagine MUFC stalwarts such as Ferdinand, Giggs and Scholes entered into the collaboration with their fiercest of foes wholeheartedly.

A LFC fan's interpretation of MUFC's home kit

After all, the Twitter spat between the two teams' sets of supporters over their most recent kit launches still remains the most popular post ever to have appeared on this blog! Remember the below?

MUFC fan's reaction to the Suarez race row incident

Anyway, the video has surfaced as the two teams prepare to square off at MUFC’s Old Trafford next Sunday (January 13) where I’m sure we’ll see a full house of supporters who’ll give us a reminder that there’s no love lost between the two.  

Chevrolet, what were you thinking?! 

If you have read this far then please feel free to leave your opinion on the matter, even if you disagree with TDF's #FAIL judgement or not... 

What now for Brand Beckham?

So it ends. David Beckham has played his last game for LA Galaxy, so after 5 years & 2 MLS trophies has Brand Beckham worked in the USA? After a scout on YouTube alone you can see Golden Balls being the face of  H &M Burger King & Sharpie pens over in the states. Whilst aside from advertising Beckham has appeared on the likes of the Elen Show, Jimmy Kimmel, David Letterman & Jay Leno.

All of which are major shows on American TV and will only serve to boost the game. Whilst Beckham has moved to the Galaxy the league has seen an influx of European players coming to the MLS towards the end of their career. In recent years Alessandro Nesta, Freddy Ljungberg, Rafael Marquez, Tim Cahill & Thierry Henry have all moved to the MLS.

Beckham was the trailblazer in many respects. The Midfielder had plenty of other options to join elsewhere when Galaxy came calling in 2007 with a salary cap busting wage offer and the promise of some shares in the club. Something that according to reports Beckham is interested in taking up.

Realistically now whatever the next stop is for the Brand Beckham bandwagon it should be his last. At 37 now Beckham perhaps has two maybe three good seasons left in him, and a move to a lower profile league would be a likelier option, where Beckham can wind down and count his sponsorship millions.  So whats more refreshing than a run down of some of the least fancied options for Beckham on his next club move.

Australia

Recent speculation has link Beckham with the A-league in recent weeks. Something which has just as last week was rejected from Beckham's camp. The Australian league is in its relative infancy having just formed in 2004. This year marked a serious change of tact from the sides, with selected clubs choosing to  pursue 'Marquee signings'. With former internationals  Shinji Ono, Brett Emerton & Err Emile Heskey all joining up. 

Pick of the star signings was Juventus legend Alessandro Del Piero  who signed up for Sydney FC. Understandably the frenzy was inevitable and the league even created a 'Del Piero day' to market tickets for the games. Currently two teams have thrown their hat into the ring from the A-League in the form of Perth Glory & Melbourne Heart. The move certainly could make sense for Becks if he wishes to boost the profile of football in a far flung land. Just like he did when he signed for the Galaxy in 2006. 

Russia

 Perhaps a slightly left field shout would be Russia. In recent years the Russian Premier league has managed to snare the talents of  Hulk, Guus Hiddink, Slaven Bilic, Samuel Eto & David Bentley . The league is getting more competitive, and after winning the right to host the 2018 World Cup, the addition of Beckham would serve as a significant boon for the league and country.A move would definitely highlight the league to more established stars.

Money certainly would not be a problem for any potential buyers, as Russia is home to the world's most highest paid footballer in Samuel Eto'o. The Cameroon international earns a staggering £364,583 per week with Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala. So if Beck's is looking to add to his status as the worlds richest sports person, he certainly could benefiting from receiving some pocket money from Russia's mega rich Oligarchs. 


China



Finally the last option on the Brand Beckham radar could be China. The country has in previous years gone to Beatle Mania like lengths of frenzy when Golden Balls visited Guangzhou with Real Madrid. Like Russia the league is furnished with a number of millionaires who are fast filling up teams with former European based players.

In the last two years Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka, Lucas Barrios  Yakubu &  Marcello Lippi have all made the Chinese Super league their home (along with a hefty pay rise).  Foreign players are on a quota of four per team, however teams competing in the Asian Champions league can call upon a extra foreign player. Perhaps Beckham could serve as a glamorous signing for a top 4 Chinese side.  

Beckham will of course not be the first English superstar to play in China. Notable players include Paul 'Gazza' Gascoines stint in 2003 with  Gansu Tianma & former Aston Villa 'danger man' Marlon Harewood lacing up with Shenzhen Phoenix for a six month stint in which he scored an impressive 4 goals.

Wherever Beckham decides to call home he will be inundated with offers from all the right places. Us at TDF will be looking on with interest hoping, wishing & even praying that Golden Balls heads to one of these destinations. Just so we can say 'we told you so!' 

Van Der Sar makes Marketing Move.

Ajax’s newest signing sees the return of Dutch goalkeeping legend Edwin van Der Sar as the club side’s marketing director (no seriously).

A report in UK business title Marketing Week, reports that the ex-Holland no.1 will head up the Amsterdam side’s marketing activity meaning he will now concern himself with organising Ajax’s Facebook wall as opposed to one defending a free kick.

Van der Sar’s publicly commented on his new appointment with his below post on his official Twitter profile merely remarking on his joy returning to Ajax.





This was after a glittering playing career that also saw him between the sticks at Juventus and Manchester United that saw him collect two Champion’s League Winners medals among others.

In light of the laboured Facebook/defensive wall pun made above – sorry we just wanted to get a digital angle on it – we’ve included the below video of some highlights of Van der Sar’s playing career, where indeed his prowess for organising walls is in evidence. 

Nike go back to 1888 in new Celtic kit design.

We at Total Digital Football are big fans of a kit launch. So when we noticed Celtic & Nike had teamed up to create Celtic's new 125th anniversary kit we got a little bit excited. Of course, this is not the first time Nike and a football team has linked up to create a special anniversary kit, Arsenal only last year was given the similar treatment from the American sporting behemoth. 

A replica of the kit worn by the Celtic players in the very first match of the club in 1888, the 125th anniversary kit features a white shirt with a black collar backed with green, black shorts and green and black hooped socks.

The very first Celtic cross club crest has also been redesigned representing the club’s origin and Irish heritage. To go along with the stylish retro kit, the club has also created a smart promo  video highlighting the clubs history ending in a retro photo of the current team (see below). Celtic who have won a total of 43 Scottish league titles, are odds on favorites to win a 44th. With Old Firm rivals Rangers banished to the third tier of Scottish football following liquidation. 

Non the less the Celts who are currently placed 3rd in the SPL will be looking for a big season. After returning  to the Champions League after a four year wait, Celtic are set to play glamour ties against Barcelona & Benfica. 

Also a big special shout out to the guys at The 12elfth Man blog for the heads up!