Celebrations

• 🎼🎼We’re NUMBER 17, We’re Number 17, We’re Number 17.🎼🎼 Yes, big celebrations across Liverpool and this Wrigleyville Bar AJ Hudson’s as Everton avoids relegation for the second straight year. Everton have been in the Top League since 1954, and all but 4 seasons total since their inaugural season in 1888.

• Note, when going to an Everton/Liverpool bar to watch the final match, root for other clubs at your own risk.

• Promotion to PL - Luton Town! They join Burnley and Sheffield United in promotion, and their story is unbelievable!

  • 9 Years ago they were promoted out of Level 5 (think Wrexham this year), with 3 additional promotions and into EPL.

  • Crazy Story of Luton Town. (5 min watch). This is one of the WHY’s for the start of the Clean Sheet.

  • The Hatters advanced on Penalties – See highlights here – go to the 12:35 minute mark to watch the Penalties or to 15:20 to watch the final penalty.

  • They will need to make $10M improvements to their 120 year old stadium, Kenilworth Road, to meet PL standard.

  • How do you currently enter Kenilworth Road to watch a home match? This 30 seconds clip on an entrance to the stadium sums it up.

  • Current club revenue $20M, next 3 years, at least $250M. Reason to Celebrate!

EPL

• Everton is on 70 consecutive seasons in the top league. One team has been up longer, Arsenal at 98 years.

• Aston Villa edge out Tottenham and Brentford for the final Europe spot. Villa to the Europa Conference.

• 56 points would get you to Europe 5 of last 6 years, this year Tottenham and Brentford miss out with 60 and 59 points.

• If you’d like to troll Tottenham fans – Leicester City got promoted to the PL (2014), won the league (2016), won the FA Cup (2021), now relegated. Tottenham’s last time winning a cup – 2008.

• West Ham OR Sheffield United TAKEOVER?

  • According to the Daily Mail, American investment fund 777 Partners (worth $6B), who failed at a recent takeover of Everton, are reportedly targeting WH or SU.

  • Interesting take from Hammer News. Basically, they want current or new owners to invest in the club and stadium.

  West Ham’s current ownership is led by David Sullivan (interestingly made his initial $ in Porn) who owns 38%. Sullivan and David Gold partnered to acquire WH by buying 51% in 2010. In 2021, Czech Daniel Kretinsky, purchased 27% of WH and was appointed to the Board. In early 2023 David Gold (age 83) passed away and his 25% stake is now owned by the family. The remaining investors make up the final 10%, most notably WHU LLC, led by American Tripp Smith with 8% of the club. WH is reportedly valued at $1B with $200M in annual revenue. This comes on the heels of the board going against rumors and suggest Manager David Moyes would be extended.

Off Island

Seeing all the trophy celebrations, got me thinking of other iconic celebration photo’s with a championship trophy…..