One hundred years ago, in 1908, Thomas Edison said, "Anything, everything, is possible." With the Model T, Wright Flyer and the conquest of the North Pole that year, how could anyone disagree? The Chicago Cubs even won their second, and last, World Series title. Is it any wonder that a positive thinker, Teddy Roosevelt, was in the White House?

A long corner kick from Teddy's home in Oyster Bay, at the Long Island Junior Soccer League Convention in Melville, the LIJSL announced a partnership on March 9, 2007 with an iconic team much more successful than the Cubs, the Liverpool Football Club.

Liverpool is the English soccer club, which has won the most trophies. The Reds have been crowned league champions 18 times, won the FA Cup and League Cup both seven times, been European Cup winners five times and UEFA Cup winners three times. At the LIJSL Convention, the Reds' Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher appeared in a video enthusiastically talking about Liverpool's new partnership with the league.

Spearheading the efforts on Liverpool's end was Steve Heighway, the winger of the legendary Reds teams of the 1970s who was in charge of the famed Liverpool FC Academy from 1989 to 2007, leading the Reds to the FA Youth Cup title in 1996, 2006 and 2007.

Academy Director Heighway visited Long Island throughout 2007 during which he conducted a series of meetings, clinics and information sessions including: two clinics for the LIJSL's Olympic Development Program teams, Long Island United; one clinic for elite LIJSL players; observation of training methods of some of the LIJSL's top teams; two clinics for LIJSL parent/coaches; one clinic for Long Island United and coaching Academy staff; and two meetings with Liverpool FC Chief Executive Rick Parry to discuss current and future developments for the relationship.

Liverpool FC and Adidas have provided Liverpool home and away uniforms for all of the Long Island United players. "Our United kids are very excited," commented Gary Book, the LIJSL's technical director. "Every kid wants heroes, so having a direct link with the history, tradition and fame of Liverpool helps them feel part of the club."

The LIJSL's partnership was very successful in 2007 and now gains momentum in the new year.

New Liverpool FC Academy Director John Owens, who is also the England Boys Under 18 Youth National Team coach, is currently on Long Island to finalize plans for 2008.

It is likely that both John Owens and Steve Heighway, who now has responsibility for Liverpool FC's international relations, will return at least two times in 2008 to conduct demonstrations, clinics and information sessions for LIJSL coaches, parents and players.

Liverpool's age-appropriate coaching sessions and coaching information will soon be available on the LIJSL website, http://www.lijsoccer.com/

The LIJSL is working on creating a Liverpool Supporters Club and it is hoped there will be a trip to watch games at famed stadium Anfield, tour

facilities and learn more about the club for interested LIJSL coaches, parents and players.

Long Island United teams will travel to the UK this summer and receive a special tour of the Liverpool Academy and Anfield plus work with the Reds' coaching staff and play games in the area.

"Liverpool is keen to see if they can discover their next superstar right here on Long Island," concluded Book.

The Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) was established in 1966 as a non-profit, educational organization and is one of the largest youth soccer leagues in the United States, with 98 member clubs representing approximately 70,000 players on Long Island and in Queens. The LIJSL is operated by volunteers committed to enabling young people to Build Character Through Soccer. The league's mission is to foster the growth and development of youths under the age of 19, at all levels of competition, emphasizing fun, respect and team-building. As an umbrella organization, the league provides a coaching academy, clinics, tournaments, special competitions, scholarships and special programs for players of all abilities. For more information on the league, please visit http://www.lijsoccer.com/