SIGNED RICKY VILLA BOOK

This item is absolutely amazing... from a genuine football legend!

We have a signed copy of Tottenham Hotspur legend, Ricky Villa's autobiography. As if I need to explain, but Ricky scored whats arguably the greatest FA Cup goal of all time! During the 1981 FA Cup final between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur, Ricky Villa received the ball 30 yards from goal. He then proceeded to run at the City defence, before turning them inside out, and then slotting the ball past the bamboozled Joe Corrigan. A truly mesmerising goal.

This book  was kindly donated by one of the UK's leading Sports management companies

You can view the auction here... http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250805618060&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

SIGNED EVERTON BOOK

We have an absolutely amazing signed Everton book. Everton - The Official Complete Record, is wonderfully written by Steve Johnson.

Everton Football Club describe this book as follows...

"More than 130 years after Everton’s humble birth as a church team, Steve Johnson has painstakingly trawled through the archives to provide for the first time details of every game, line up, goalscorer, attendance and result, as well as a plethora of other facts and figures. This officially endorsed record of one of English football’s great names includes season-by-season accounts of every campaign since the onset of league football, more than 100 player profiles and a foreword by the Club’s midfield talisman, Mikel Arteta. Above all, this is a celebration of Everton’s rich and unique history; the definitive account of every minute of every match the Club has ever played. This is the must read book for every Evertonian."

This book was kindly donated by author, journalist and Evertonian - James Corbett. James sent the books to Finch Farm, where they were signed by some of the players, including..

TIM HOWARD, PHIL JAGIELKA, DINIYAR BILYALETDINOV, JACK RODWELL and MAROUANE FELLANI.

I personally collected the items from Finch Farm earlier this week.

You can visit James website www.jamescorbett.co.uk and follow him on Twitter

If you've got a spare few quid, then please place a bid on this item. Every penny raised will be donated to the Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250805610505&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

SIGNED LIVERPOOL SHIRT

We are delighted to announce the availability of a Liverpool Away Shirt, signed by Jamie Carragher. This item was donated by a young Liverpool fan, aged just 10 YEARS OLD!

Young Sam, from Yorkshire, was so upset by the images on television of mass destruction caused by the Japanese earthquake and tsunami, that he told his father that he wanted to sell his prized possession to help the people of Japan.

Not only is Sam an incredibly thoughtful and generous young man, but he is also a talented writer. He has his own website, in which he writes about "Everything Football from a 10 year old boy". You can read Sam's blog by visiting http://www.footy10.co.uk, or follow him on  Twitter

You can see the auction on our eBay page.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250805582162&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

SIGNED HARTLEPOOL UNITED FOOTBALL

The auction for the signed Hartlepool United football, is also under way. This ball was kindly donated by the club.

Currently, the winning bidder is "the only Hartlepool fan in Texas". I'm unsure as to whether he's a British ex-pat, or Hartlepool United are a global brand... personally I think the second option sounds much better! :)

If you have a spare few pounds (or indeed dollars), please do bid on this item. Not only will you gain a superb piece of memorabilia, but you'll also be helping the people affected by the Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami.

You can see the auction here..
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250802935096&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

SIGNED BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION SHIRT

What a season for Brighton and Hove Albion. Wednesday's hard fought 4-3 victory against Dagenham and Redbridge, was enough to seal promotion back to the Championship. It's nothing more than the Seagulls have deserved, after taking League One by storm.

Albion, who have not lost back-to-back league fixtures all season, have won 10 of their last 11 league games, with the other match in that sequence a 2-2 draw at in-form Rochdale. The Seagulls collected a maximum 24 points from their eight fixtures in March and since their 4-3 win over Carlisle on 5th March, they have kept six clean sheets in nine games. It is now 11 home games since they last dropped a point at the Withdean Stadium, where they played under lights for the last time on Tuesday ahead of their move to a new stadium.

We are delighted to announce that due to the amazing generosity of Brighton and Hove Albion FC, you can now own a piece of this historic season, whilst also helping the people affected by the devastating Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan.

We have a home shirt, signed by the squad, now listed on our eBay page. The shirt is size extra large, and is brand new with tags. Albion's Managing Director, Ken Brown personally approved our request for a donation. The shirt would look absolutely amazing framed, and displayed for all to see on your wall. Below is a photograph of the shirt. You can view it on our eBay page, and if you've got a couple of quid to spare, please do place a bid. Remember, 100% of the proceeds will be doanted to the 'Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund'.

You can view the shirt here.. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Signed-Brighton-Hove-Albion-2010-11-shirt-Footy4Japan-/250802923100?pt=UK_DVD_Film_TV_Autographs_CV&hash=item3a6504e65c

THE AUCTIONS HAVE BEGUN!

We are delighted to announce that the Footy4Japan auctions have now begun!

We started last week with the signed Brighton and Hove Albion shirt, and the signed Hartlepool United football - both donated by the respectful clubs.

Last night, we also listed a Liverpool shirt, signed by Jamie Carragher, a signed Everton book, and one for the Tottenham Hotspur fans... a signed copy of Ricky Villa's autobiography.

You can see all of the listed items by visiting our eBay page.
http://shop.ebay.co.uk/globalgivingfootballforjapan/m.html?_trksid=p4340.l2562

GET YOUR BIDS IN!

BOLTON WANDERERS

Yesterday I received a letter from Bolton Wanderers, that truly sickened me.

After emailing them full details of our appeal, and the Global Giving - Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund, they had the audacity to ask for £60 for a signed shirt!!! I am absolutely gobsmacked that a Premier League is looking to make money out of a devastating natural disaster in which nearly 30,000 people have lost their lives!

Funnily enough, I had a quick look on eBay, and there is a 2010/11 signed Bolton shirt for sale for £50!!

Bolton Wanderers... I really hope there has been some sort of misunderstanding, as charging £60 for a shirt that will be auctioned for charity is utterly disgraceful!

CHELSEA

This morning, I received a reply from Chelsea FC. Can anyone guess which card they played?

Yep... the "Local Community"!

I'm sorry, but Chelsea Football Club are a global brand. They make a huge amount of money from replica shirt sales etc, in the far east. All we're asking for a measly signed shirt, or football.

I'm hugely disappointed with some of the Premier League clubs.

FULHAM

Fulham's response was similar to that of Arsenal, West Ham and Southampton. They have requested that we put it in writing

HARTLEPOOL UNITED

Last week I was on my out, and I nearly run over the postman who was stood at the bottom of my driveway. I jumped out of the car, and apologised profusely. He laughed, and said "no worries Lee", and then handed me a perfectly round parcel. I ran back into the house, and opened it excitedly. It was a signed football from Hartlepool United.

Again, another League One club had stepped upto the plate, and backed our Campaign. A massive THANK YOU to the guys at Hartlepool United. Your support and generosity is hugely appreciated.

GLASGOW CELTIC

Celtic were the next Scottish club to respond.

Unfortunately, they were unable to help us out, but they have made a considerable contribution already in raising money for Japan.

Full details can be seen HERE

GLASGOW RANGERS

Rangers were the first Scottish club to get in touch. Their response was the age old "local communities" excuse, although they did send me a signed photograph! Cheers guys!

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

High flying Spurs were the next Premier League to get in touch.

I opened the email with apprehension, and low and behold, it was another refusal. I immediately emailed them back, asking them to reconsider. I'm yet to get a reply.

I will keep you updated on this one.

CHARLTON ATHLETIC

Charlton were the next club to reply, and their response was all to familiar.

They did however, advise that they are already organising a fundraiser for the Japanese Relief Fund, alongside eBay UK.

BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION

The next response I received was from Brighton and Hove Albion. It read..

Dear Lee,

Thank you for your email. Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club would be delighted to send you a signed shirt to help you raise funds for the Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund.

They advised that they normally only work with local charities, but felt that the Japan Relief Fund was more than worthy of their help. The request was personally rubber stamped by the clubs managing director - Ken Brown.

I appreciate that money is particularly tight at the moment... especially for the lower league clubs, so for Brighton and Hove Albion to support our campaign was absolutely magnificent. Some of the Premier League clubs should take note!

A massive THANK YOU to everyone at Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club. Your support and generosity is hugely appreciated.

BRISTOL CITY

Bristol City were the next club to send their reply... and the latest in refusing to back our appeal. Again, the "local community" card was played!

WATFORD

Watford were the next club to get in touch.

They advised me that they prioritise any requests, and "unfortunately" our request did not fall into their bracket. Japan Earthquake and Tsunami... not a priority? I despair, I really do!

SOUTHAMPTON

The next reply arrived from Southampton. They advised that any requests for signed goods must be made in writing.

COLCHESTER UNITED

League One side, Colchester United were the next club to reply. Similar to others, they refused to help out, insisting that they only help their local community.

WALSALL

The next response made me feel sick!

Walsall Football Club advised that they were more than happy to help us out... but they wanted me to PAY! I sent an email back explaining that we are trying to raise money, not pay money out! They wanted £20 for a signed shirt, and £6 for a football, plus £3.50 P&P.

Quite frankly, it just wasn't worth it! Walsall Football Club should be utterly ashamed of themselves!!

HUDDERSFIELD TOWN

Huddersfield Town were the first club to respond from League One. Similar to West Ham and Arsenal, they have advised that we put our request in writing.

PRESTON NORTH END

The next reply we received was from Championship club, Preston North End.

Again, their response echoed that of others before. However, they did highlight that they donate match tickets to local schools! I'm sorry, but what about the school children in Japan? Those who have been made homeless, or far worse... orphaned!

WEST BROMWICH ALBION

The next club actually sent their resonse via post. West Bromwich Albion were the second Midlands club to refuse us help.

BIRMINGHAM CITY

The next club to respond was Birmingham City FC. Disappointingly, they also refused to help us out. The third Premier League club in quick succession.

ARSENAL

Quick to follow was  the response from Arsenal Football Club. Again, they politely advised that any requests must be made in writing.

WEST HAM UNITED

The next reply come from West Ham United. They politely advised that any requests for shirts etc, must be made in writing.

LIVERPOOL

The next refusal arrived a short time later. This time from Liverpool Football Club.

I'm an Evertonain, and I know first hand that LFC always seemed to be on hand to assist charity appeals, so I was certain I could count on them to donate a shirt or a football. Sadly it wasn't to be.

SUNDERLAND

Our first response was from Sunderland AFC. Excitedly I opened the email, only to find a rather abrupt reply.

"Thank you for your enquiry. We will be working directly with any official fund that is set up to assist with this disaster. Therefore we will not be dealing with any individual requests."

I emailed the lady back, and explained that this IS an official fund, and has the full backing of Global Giving. The response I received was as equally abrupt.

"We are not supporting individual campaigns"

It was incredibly frustrating, and hugely disapointing to receive such a response from a well established Premier League club.

Refusals!

Sadly, we have received a number of refusals from lots of clubs. Most disappointing is the refusals from the Premier League clubs.

We will now be keeping you fully up to date on the situation.