EPL clubs Liverpool and Everton will "move to strengthen ties with Australian football following significant announcements on Wednesday," according to XINHUA. Liverpool announced its second preseason tour of Australia in three years, "confirming fixtures in Brisbane and Adelaide in July." Meanwhile, Everton revealed a player development agreement with A-League side Central Coast Mariners that "would see young players exchanged between each club's respective academies." The club will venture to Queensland and South Australia for the first time, playing Brisbane Roar and Adelaide United at Suncorp Stadium and the Adelaide Oval, respectively. Meanwhile, South Australia Acting Tourism Minister Tom Koutsantonis said securing a fixture against Liverpool is a "massive coup for the state." Koutsantonis: "Such world-class sporting events are huge drawcards and we also anticipate a global TV audience for the game, so it is the perfect platform to showcase Adelaide to the rest of the world" (XINHUA, 2/4). Liverpool CEO Ian Ayre said, "We visited Australia for the first time two years ago and the support we received from our Australian fans was incredible." As well as a full Liverpool squad, the touring party will include coaching staff from the Liverpool FC Foundation to carry out work in the community throughout the visit and take part in events with official supporters' clubs. Hospitality tickets for the matches went on sale Tuesday. The club will be contacting local official supporters' clubs, local LFC Official Members and those who attended the Reds' '13 fixture at Melbourne Cricket Ground with details regarding a ticket presale (Liverpool).
EVERTON-CENTRAL COAST LINK: In Sydney, Sebastian Hassett wrote Everton "might have missed out on landing former star Tim Cahill," but the Toffees will be hoping to secure "the next big thing in Australian football" after formalizing a development relationship with the Central Coast Mariners. While the relationship is said to be "non-exclusive and exploratory" -- and does not come with the ambition of "taking over the financially troubled club" -- the deal will allow "under-21 development players to benefit from the experience of first team football on loan with the Mariners during the summer months" if Everton's coaches feel it will assist their development. Everton is famous for "having one of England's best academies, known as the 'School of Science,' which in recent years has produced the likes of Wayne Rooney, Ross Barkley, Jack Rodwell, Leon Osman, Victor Anichebe, Richard Dunne and Francis Jeffers" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 2/4). In Sydney, Ray Gatt reported Everton will now have a "direct link to some of the best talent on the
Central Coast" after signing the deal believed to have been brokered by
former West Ham CEO Peter Storrie, now an associate director at the
Mariners, and former Everton player Joe Royle. Mariners coach Phil Moss suggested it was a "landmark day" for the club. Moss: "Make no mistake, this is a truly great day for this football club. It's fantastic news for not only the Mariners, but the A-League that we've got a real tangible link with an English Premier League club off the back of what Manchester City is doing with Melbourne City" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 2/5).
