Okay traditional football fans, I need your feedback. If you’re very observant or perhaps a Newcastle fan, did you notice in yesterday’s Everton match at St. James’s Park that there was a “Fox Soccer Channel” advertising board behind the goal when Ameobi “beat” the offside trap and scored that cheeky goal for Newcastle?
It’s not easy to see, but if you go back and watch the match, you may notice it. This is the first time I’ve noticed it, so the advertising signboard may have been there much longer. Or has it?
Why FSC decided to advertise and why at St. James’s Park, I’m not sure. The majority of Geordies would have no idea what it is, but the TV viewers at home (throughout North America, the Middle East and now Jamaica) would — but they’re probably subscribing to Fox Soccer Channel already.
Editor’s Note: I contacted Fox Soccer Channel to find out more information, and here’s their answer. They’ve been adding signage at EPL games so FSC viewers like you and me would get excited about seeing it during matches. Last year they had board graphics at St James’ Park and the City of Manchester Stadium. This year, Fox has entered a deal whereby they can have signage at two spots per game at St James’ Park, Bolton’s Reebok Stadium and Blackburn’s Ewood Park. These were chosen based on matches that will be aired for North American viewers.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
They’ve been there for a while. I noticed it during a game on Jan 2, 2006 and posed a similar question over on BigSoccer, but no one came up with any good reasons as to why FSC would be advertising at St. James’ Park.
http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=285466&highlight=St.+James+Park
As Amoeba slots in the most offside goal in the history of the Premiership into the net you can see the banner, yes to the right of that post. If you look at clips from the Skunks’ other home games this season (versus Wigan & Fulham)the banner is not to be seen, not in that exact spot anyway.
Did you see it in person, or on TV?
If you’ve only seen it on TV, it might not be an actual physical ad sign, but a grapic added in in production (like some sports broadcasts do here in America, especially in baseball).
St. James’ Park
“..get excited about seeing it during matches”??????
Oh yeah, about as excited as we get when listening to that berk who sets the scene for the live match coverage until about 1.5 secs away from kick-off…
actually St. James’s Park is correct in this case. “s’” is only used when the S at the end of the word denotes plurality. If the park belonged to multiple St. Jameses it would be St. James’ Park, but since it’s only 1 St. James, St. James’s is correct.