Corporate Branding: 'The Footballer'

Flogging a dead horse comes to mind... Michael Owen is way past his best, and it seems his agent has resulted to a last resort. A branding pack on an aging professional without a club, demanding high-wages. I've never seen anything like this before. Thrown together on powerpoint, it looks very slap dash. Re-launching any individuals career is hard work, especially with the problems Michael has had, this is not a good start. Design can be used to really deliver and provide a clear and direct message. This is quite convoluted, is it a presentation on Owen the footballer or Owen the brand, his stock as either has rapidly declined.





Check the rest of the images at the conservative crap read Daily Mail

We can't forget some of his classic moments.

Awaydays

For all you Football Casual fans out there make sure you check out the April issue of Maxim Magazine.


It features a historical piece on the rise of Casual Culture which is quite interesting. However not quite as comprehensive as you would have thought. A good read nonetheless. One point it does raise is how Casual Culture was not exported across Europe, this is not actually correct, as many Casual sites document Barcelona fans donning Stone Island and CP Company jackets and the like during the late eighties. Especially now, as the laughable Danny Dyer has shown on his television program 'The Real Football Factories' that especially in Eastern Europe and Russia the firms have now taken on the Casual look themselves; opting for well known Italian brands in light of the British casual look.

One glaring omission from the feature is the lack of Stone Island, probably a key a player in the look as any brand noted. Especially in the early 90s.

In the A-Z list of Casuals this ITV documentary is listed, an interesting insight into the notorious ICF Firm in the 1980s.



Possibly the best feature in the whole magazine is the article on the cinematic birth of Kevin Sampson's Cult Classic 'Awaydays'.



I first read this book when I was about 13. I convinced my Mum to buy it for me, saying it was a "Football" story. Little did she know it was about sex, violence, drugs, music and fashion. Possibly my five favorite topics. A classic story of a confused adolescent, who seeks solace in the revelry of being a member of the firm. Camaraderie with the lads, following Tranmere Rovers is an escape from his drab life working as a Civil Servant. His nihilistic behavior, the consequence of his mother's death, provides a poetic story of miss spent youth.

You can buy Kevin Sampson's fantastic novel here. 'Awaydays'will hit screens on May 22nd, and I think will offer a proper insight into Casual Culture as opposed to the glorified bollocks of 'Green Streets' and the "Are You Trying To Mug Me Off In Front Of My Pals" brovado of 'Football Factory'. Since both films everyone wants to be in a Firm without actually understanding the music, fashion and scene which went with it. Sampson's film is going to set the record straight.

Stone Island Spring/Summer 09 Collection

Although The Firms pioneered Stone Island on the terraces in its hey-day and since the rise of the hooligan Nick Love cinematic experience (if you can call it that) Stoney has become a household name, tarnished by the slew of fakes running up and down the high-street. Stone Island is still one of my favorite clothing labels, I like C.P Company its 'sister label' but the cuts and look of S.I is just always so on-point for that streetwear-esque 'Casuals' feel. I've thought about rocking it without the badges, but there is something about having that little bit of branding on the sleeve that makes you feel just that little bit better about the garment.

Check some images of the new Spring/Summer collection over at Hypebeast.

My two favorite looks:

"City Till I Die"

Celebrity Fans Often Talk Rubbish When It Comes To Their Side... NOEL GALLAGHER IS THE EXCEPTION.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7840110.stm

LEGEND

ROBINHO!!!

I can't believe one of the greatest players in world football has just signed for my beloved Manchester City. In a dramatic turn of events, Robinho the Brazilian superstar has ended up at God's very own club. Chelski once held all the power in the market paying extravagant amounts of money for highly rated, critically acclaimed, lavished with praise superstars. Now we have the power!!! An arab consortium have bought out the club and truly made their mark on the world football map! For an interesting read check out Football 365on why September 1st 2008 will be remembered as the day the big 4 died.
The boy's a bit special.

Steve Van Klaren

Steve McClown's faux pas dutch accent.