VAN/MON EACH MAKE SOME SIGNINGS

First up in signing news is Montreal as DAVID TESTO BACK FOR TWO SEASONS. The Montreal Impact announced Monday that its 2009 MVP, American midfielder David Testo, had signed a new two-year deal with the club. ** A nice move for the Impact. Testo was fantastic in the USL Championship game and is a key for their success.

Up next, the Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced THORDARSON SIGNS CONTRACT EXTENSION. That deals is a one-year contract extension with the club. ** We discussed this last night on the show. Teitur has lead the Whitecaps to two appearances in the USL-1 Championship game, winning one. Teitur has done an extremely good job with this squad and deserved the new contract. Like many of the players though, Teitur is auditioning for a job in Major League Soccer. We've known for a couple of years that the players were playing for their jobs and the possibility of playing for the MLS Vancouver franchise in 2011. Teitur now has his opportunity to perform and work for the head coaching job MLS. It's not out of the realm of possibility of Thordarson as MLS Head Coach as it is known that Whitecaps president Bob Lenarduzzi says he (Thordarson) will be interviewed for the MLS head coaching position.

There could be some stiff competition though for the job, with former D.C. United coach, Tom Soehn, on the Caps' chat list. The Province's Marc Weber has this story. It makes for more competition for the head coach position. Sure Soehn is looking for the technical director role, but finding the right man for the job is key and having some internal competition is always a good thing for the club.

HABER OFFERED CONTRACT BY WEST BROMWICH ALBION

Marc Weber at The Province is reporting that Vancouver Whitecaps forward Marcus Haber has been offered a contract by English League Championship side West Bromwich Albion.

The 20-year-old Vancouver native was the 2009 USL First Division rookie of the year, scoring eight goals in 30 league matches.

Haber was on a four-day trial with West Brom.

WILL JOHNSON JOINS FULL-TIME

Will Johnson, Canadian National Team member and member of the 2009 MLS Cup winning Real Salt Lake, will join Full-Time this Sunday evening. Show time is a bit late as we follow Vancouver Canucks hockey and the Canucks post game show. We'll be live from midnight until 1am (it's part of our late night shortened shows because frankly, it's past our bedtime). Johnson will chat about the season, the game, being sick prior to the game (and it wasn't food poisoning) and also his thoughts on the future of the Canadian National Team, which players will lead and also what he thinks about Asmir Begovic and the decision to play elsewhere and not Canada.

You can follow the link here and listen live online or if you are using your radio, we are at 1040 on the AM dial in Vancouver.

We also will find out about the latest from Setanta Sports, all the latest scores and news from Europe, the latest on the 'Caps (is Marcus Haber back or off to England) and see what other kind of trouble we can find.

WHITECAPS RELEASE BURGESS AND VERSAILLES

VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today that they have released midfielders Tyrell Burgess and Kenold Versailles.

Burgess, 23, leaves Vancouver after one season with the club, having initially signed on January 30, 2009. The 6-foot-2, 165-pound native of Smiths, Bermuda, scored one goal and added two assists in 25 appearances with the Whitecaps. Prior to joining Vancouver, Burgess spent three years at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida.

Versailles, 25, joined the Whitecaps on January 9, 2009, after five seasons in the Division 1 Ligue Haitienne. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound native of Carrefour, Haiti, scored one goal in 15 appearances for Vancouver.

HABER ON TRIAL WITH ENGLAND'S WEST BROM

A potential big piece to the puzzle in Vancouver's inaugural MLS season may be gone by the weekend. As you will see in the press release below. Marcus Haber, the USL-1's 2009 Rookie of the Year, is on trial with West Brom. Haber had the potential of being the key offensive driving force for the MLS Whitecaps. Being Canadian helps too, not only on the field, but off the field with kids growing up watching Canadian players compete at a league close to home. It will be interesting to see if he is offered a contract. We are hoping to connect with Marcus this weekend.

(side note: Canadian and MLS Champion Will Johnson will join us on Sunday to talk winning it all)

For Immediate Release: November 24, 2009

HABER ON TRIAL WITH ENGLAND’S WEST BROM

VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today that striker Marcus Haber has joined English League Championship club West Bromwich Albion for a four-day trial from Tuesday, November 24, to Friday, November 27.

Haber, 20, recently completed a successful first season with the Whitecaps in 2009. The Canadian youth international scored eight goals and recorded four assists for 20 points in 30 United Soccer Leagues First Division (USL-1) regular season matches. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound, native of Vancouver, BC, also added three goals in six playoff matches and one goal during the Nutrilite Canadian Championship. For his efforts, the speedy youngster was named USL-1 Rookie of the Year, as well as the Whitecaps Newcomer of the Year and Fan Favourite.

Prior to joining the 'Caps, Haber spent two seasons with the U-19 and reserve teams of Dutch Eredivisie club FC Groningen.

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE ON TEAM RADIO

Upcoming this week on TEAM Radio

Saturday 28th November (2 matches)

Kick Off: 7:00am – Portsmouth v Manchester Utd

Kick Off: 9:30am – Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur

Sunday 29th November (2 matches)

Kick Off: 5:30am – Everton v Liverpool

Kick Off: 8:00am – Arsenal v Chelsea

For more information, click here

WHITECAPS APPOINT CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER FROM ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE CLUB

For Immediate Release: November 24, 2009

WHITECAPS APPOINT CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER FROM ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE CLUB

VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today that Paul Barber, of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club of the English Premier League, has been named the new chief executive officer of the Whitecaps, effective March 1, 2010.

Barber will join president Bob Lenarduzzi and chief operating officer Rachel Lewis in heading up the Whitecaps executive team, as the club moves towards 2011 and their inaugural season in Major League Soccer (MLS). Barber will act as the primary representative within the club for the Vancouver MLS 2011 ownership group, and bring world-class experience and leadership to the club’s business and soccer operations.

"Paul brings the stature of our club to the next level and we are thrilled to add such an invaluable asset," said Lenarduzzi. "Paul comes to Vancouver from one of the most storied clubs in the world, which competes with the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea, in one of the world’s most successful leagues. He has an incredible international network and set of skills in both the technical and commercial areas that will no doubt help us reach our vision of being one of the best sports franchises in the world."

Barber, 42, is currently the executive director of Tottenham Hotspur, having joined the North London club’s board of directors in 2005. Reporting to executive chairman, Daniel Levy, Barber is responsible for all of Tottenham's key operational divisions, including commercial areas, ticketing and hospitality, international tours and friendly matches, and the club's soccer development area, which includes domestic and international coaching programs and soccer camps. Last spring, Forbes.com listed the 127-year old club as the 11th most valuable soccer team in the world at US$445-million, with an annual revenue of US$245-million.

"I have had the great pleasure of getting to know Paul and his family very well over the past three years," added Vancouver MLS 2011 co-owner Jeff Mallett. "We have met numerous times on both sides of the ocean, to talk football and explore possible opportunities in Vancouver. Through our correspondence, it became clear that Paul is the right leader to successfully head up our MLS efforts. Our entire ownership group is very pleased to have Paul on board in Vancouver, but perhaps none more than Steve Nash, who also knows Paul personally and has been an avid Spurs supporter since childhood."

"I have been hugely impressed by the ownership group’s vision for the Whitecaps, and for the significant opportunity that Major League Soccer represents throughout North America," said Barber. "All four owners are extremely passionate about the game and they are determined to ensure the Whitecaps provide an incredible soccer legacy - not just for Vancouver, but for Canada as a whole. This is already a fantastic and very well supported soccer franchise with a highly professional infrastructure and a genuine ambition to be one of the biggest and best run club sides in the world. I am looking forward to the future here in Vancouver, leading and learning from a very talented and highly committed group of people."

Over the next three months, Barber will focus on his role as executive director at Tottenham, where he is currently leading the club’s negotiations to secure a new shirt sponsor, as well as stadium naming rights partners. The native of North London will also continue to support England’s efforts to stage the 2018/2022 FIFA World Cup, where he is a member of the London host city group, and to sit on the board of Rose Bowl plc - parent company of Hampshire County Cricket Club - where he is a non-executive director. Barber and his family will relocate to Vancouver from March 2010 onwards, at which time he will be available to provide further comment on his role with Vancouver Whitecaps FC.

About Vancouver Whitecaps FC
In 1974, Vancouver Whitecaps FC played their inaugural season in the North American Soccer League, and in 1979, the club won the NASL Soccer Bowl championship. From 1987 to 1992, as a member of the Canadian Soccer League, Vancouver won four straight CSL titles. In 2002, the Whitecaps created a full club model that encompasses professional teams for men and women, extensive youth development and grassroots participation programs, facility development, and the Whitecaps Foundation to support specific initiatives related to health and wellness through soccer. Since 2004, the Whitecaps have won two United Soccer Leagues First Division championships and two USL W-League championships. In 2011, Vancouver will play their inaugural season in Major League Soccer. For more information about the Whitecaps, visit whitecapsfc.com.

Statement from Terry Byrne – Chairman, 1966 Entertainment Ltd.
Many congratulations to everybody at Vancouver Whitecaps FC on making one of the best signings to date for North American soccer in the appointment of Paul Barber from Tottenham Hotspur.

Paul leaves English soccer to bring a wealth of experience and knowledge in all aspects of the game, having spent several years playing a pivotal role in and around the England national team as the commercial director before moving onto working for the club he supported since childhood in Tottenham Hotspur.

He will be a key appointment in driving the Whitecaps forwards as they head towards joining Major League Soccer and this appointment will also help MLS and North American soccer generally as the game continues its evolution and growth within the world's most popular sport.

Paul's departure from England will be a loss to the game in the UK, however it is definitely a gain for the game of soccer in North America.

I would like to wish Paul and his family every success and once again congratulate the bright people at the Whitecaps who identified Paul and made the decision to tempt him across the waters.

About Paul Barber
Barber, 42, is currently executive director of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, of the English Premier League. He joined the board of directors at the London-based club in 2005 and, reporting to executive chairman, Daniel Levy, is responsible for all of the club's key operational divisions including commercial areas, ticketing and hospitality, international tours and friendly matches, and the club's soccer development area, which includes domestic and international coaching programs and soccer camps.

A former commercial and marketing director of The Football Association in England, Barber was responsible for developing programs for the marketing, communication and commercial affairs, including broadcast rights, of the England national team and The FA Cup, the largest domestic knock-out cup competition in the world. He also extensively supported the development of women's, youth and grass roots soccer in England securing long term and innovative sponsorship agreements with some of the world's leading consumer brands.

Barber's international soccer experience includes being a member of the England national team's official party that travelled to Japan/Korea for the 2002 FIFA World Cup and to the 2000 UEFA European Championships in Belgium/Holland. With Tottenham Hotspur, he enjoyed three successive years of UEFA's European club football competition between 2006 and 2008 as well as the club's two consecutive Cup Final appearances at the new Wembley Stadium in London in 2008 (versus Chelsea) and 2009 (versus Manchester United).

Barber's earlier career included senior commercial and marketing roles with some of Europe's leading businesses, including Barclays Bank, where he was a member of the Retail Board, and the US-based advertising and marketing giant Ogilvy & Mather, where he was CEO for the group's Europe, Middle East and Africa communications division and a member of the agency's European board.

Lifelong Tottenham Hotspur fan and native north Londoner, Barber is a Football Association qualified coach and former amateur player. He currently coaches a U-16 community team in London. He and his family will relocate to Vancouver in 2010 and in the interim he will continue to support England's efforts to stage the 2018/2022 World Cup, where he is a member of the London host city group, and to sit on the board of Rose Bowl plc - parent company of Hampshire County Cricket Club - where he is a non-executive director.

- 30 -