For Immediate Release For Immediate Release For Immediate Release
Liverpool FC and Stagecoach Bus Launch
On Wednesday 20th June 2007, World Football Exhibitions Ltd, unveiled a new branded double decker bus in partnership with Stagecoach UK Ltd and Liverpool Football Club.
The second of two specially commissioned designs the Champions of Champions bus is operated by Stagecoach UK Ltd and will run a daily service between the cities of Preston and Liverpool from June 2007 through to the City of Liverpool’s tenure as European Capital of Culture in 2008.
The bus has been designed by World Football Exhibitions designers to appear as a triumphant open-top tour bus and is decorated with images and details of Liverpool FC’s illustrious history. Naturally, the club’s British record 5 European Cup victories take centre stage. From an educational perspective, materials including leaflets and posters on the bus will further detail the club’s European odyssey and pinpoint significant events in the wider history of Liverpool Football Club.
The launch of the bus was held fittingly at Anfield and World Football Exhibitions arranged some very special guests for the inaugural journey.
In attendance were Liverpool FC Legends: Alan Kennedy, David Fairclough, Phil Neal, David Johnson, Chris Lawler and Liverpool FC appearance record holder Ian Callaghan who alone made an amazing 856 senior appearances for the club. In addition, the centrepiece for the bus’s first ride was the glittering European Champions League Trophy - won for keeps in Istanbul at Liverpool’s record fifth European Cup Victory - reunited at the launch with so many former holders.
World Football Exhibitions Managing Director, Mark Bushell, announced: “I am thrilled to present this bus on behalf of Stagecoach UK Ltd and the Liverpool FC Museum and Tour Centre. The museum is a great day out for any football fan and travelling in style on this fantastic Stagecoach bus will be a real treat for all the family over the summer holidays and further into Capital of Culture year”.
Tom Wileman, Regional Director of Stagecoach Merseyside said: “Liverpool’s achievements in European football have been fantastic not only for the city, but for the whole region and we wanted to recognise and celebrate that. Liverpool FC’s success has not only put them on the European map but has also given them recognition globally. They’ve had many cultured sides over the years and it’s fitting, in the thirtieth anniversary year of their first European Cup victory, that we celebrate them as the Cream of Europe.”
Les Wheatley, Finance Director of Liverpool FC said: “We are delighted to be working with Stagecoach Merseyside in highlighting the remarkable success that Liverpool has had on the European stage. It is something that everyone associated with the club can be justifiably proud of.”
Anthony Howarth, Events Manager for World Football Exhibitions said: “What a great product launch. I’m just relieved that we only had one trophy on show – had all these players brought their medals and the museum all the club’s trophies we would have needed a triple-decker bus!”