Saturday, Jan. 7, 2006 | 8:27 a.m.
John Kennedy's thick accent hits a listener like a pint of Skullsplitter Strong Ale, a distinctive brew with a powerful kick from his native Scotland.
"The game's been in my blood all my life," said Kennedy, 55, who was born in Glasgow and landed in Las Vegas in 1981.
Kennedy had been named coach of the new Las Vegas Toros, who will play in the inaugural National Alliance Soccer League that begins in February. However, Kennedy and former UNLV assistant Frank D'Amelio agreed Wednesday that D'Amelio will coach the team.
The Sunday afternoon doubleheader schedule, with all games of the eight-team league to be played at the Orleans Arena, conflicts with Kennedy's various businesses.
"I think it will be a fantastic opportunity for local lads to get themselves into the picture and be seen, particularly out of high school if they're not going to college," Kennedy said, "or to extend their playing careers in any way, shape or form."
Eddie Henderson, the director of coaching for the state's youth program, rounds out the coaching staff.
"There's a lot of years of experience," Kennedy said. "I think we've got good leadership at the top. The last couple of weeks, we've taken a lot of time to lay the foundation of a franchise. You have to start right at the bottom."
Been there, done that
Kennedy, as an assistant coach, helped start the Las Vegas Dustdevils of the Continental Indoor Soccer League in 1994. The Devils beat Dallas for the title that season, then disbanded after '95.
Branko Segota, whose 463 goals in the former Major Indoor Soccer League were more than anyone but Steve Zungul (652), paced that Las Vegas team.
"He was a legend," Kennedy said of Segota. "He was one of the top three indoor players of all time and our No. 1 draft choice. But we also had eight rookies, all locals, in a squad of 20 players.
"It was an absolute roller-coaster ride. We started with nothing and built a team that won a world championship in its first season. A remarkable achievement in any sport."
Another legend
Kennedy attracts admiration for having seen another legend, the late George Best, play in person.
The first time was 1963 at Old Trafford, Best's debut season for Manchester United when he was 17.
"He was just a youngster," Kennedy said. "He wasn't scared to take on players. He ran at them. The skills and touch he had, he was a folk hero in Scotland and England and Ireland and Wales. An amazing runner.
"A soccer genius."
Also Noted:
* Belated kudos to Bryant Gumbel of HBO's "Real Sports," for his compelling -- and disturbing -- look at racism in the European game, especially in Italy and Spain. Arsenal's Theirry Henry put it best when he told Gumbel, "This is 2005, right?"
* Thanks to Stewart at Fado's (Green Valley Ranch Station) for the heads-up on the pub's English Premier League fantasy site.
The SheringHammers will rely upon Brian McBride (Fulham) and Wayne Rooney (Man U) up front, with a midfield featuring Cristiano Ronaldo (Man U), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) and Lee Bowyer (Newcastle).
And here's to many more clean sheets by Liverpool goaltender Jose Reina.
* Fado's and the Crown & Anchor (immediately east of UNLV on Tropicana Avenue) are the two premier football-watching spots in town. We'd like to hear from other hot gathering spots for a future list.
* Look for Man U to sport a new logo on the front of its shirt next season, as Vodafone recently pulled out of its $15.81 million (at current exchange rates) annual arrangement with the club two years early. That deal ranked fifth in Europe.
Match of the week
Juventus at Palermo, today
Any game in Sicily grabs our attention, and Serie A-leading Juve might be taxed at the Renzo Barbera by likely the only team in the world that wears pink and black. We understand there was a laundry mistake decades ago.
*****
$26.4 million
The richest current jersey sponsorship deal in Europe, between Tamoil and Juventus of Italy
$21.1 million
The second-most lucrative sponsorship agreement, between Bayern Munich in Germany and T-Com
Rob Miech can be reached at 259-4087 or at [email protected].
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