OFFICIAL - Hyundai A League [Archive]

AdelaideSkytraveller

January 11th, 2006, 11:23 PM

I thought the Gold Coast could support a team in 3 to 5 years because they are having a new rectangular stadium built there at Robina and have a bigger population there then what Newcastle and Central Coast do.
Central Coast have started from scratch and are averaging about 7,000 people in their first year which isnt bad considering they have had bad weather in nearly all their games at home. im sure a Gold Coast team could avereage about 10,000.
I think we need to let the league and teams establish themselves for 2 to 3 years before we start thinking of new teams joining.

Crystal ball time.

A-league in 7 years time.

Queensland Roar
Gold Coast
Newcastle Jets
Central Coast Mariners
Sydney FC
West Sydney
Canberra
Melbourne Victory
Adelaide United
Perth Glory

This would give us 36 rounds if each team played each other twice.
2 weeks short of an English premier league season.

Would be good to expand after 5 years time possibly to
Gold Coast
Canberra
Hobart
etc
as well as having 2 teams in Melbourne and Sydney.

I no New Zealand are doing poorly, maybe thats cause they
are poorly managed and did really poorly in relation to recruiting.
I suppose it is hard for them to attract quality players to locate
there. Maybe the FFA needs to chip in get them a star player
and some others might follow.

We always complain about NZ crowd numbers but with the squad
they have and how they have been performing would you go
and support them if that was say Sydney FC or Adelaide Utd
i think the crowds in those cities would drop off quick with
crap play and players that poor NZ Knights have.

Lastly i think that if the league is to prosper more needs to be
done to generate quality youth players ready to enter the A-League
and the difference between State League and A-League is huge.
What is needed is a 2nd Division National League with the State Leagues
feeding into it with promotion and demotion etc.

AdelaideSkytraveller

January 11th, 2006, 11:26 PM

What do you guys think of the new A-League Trophy
the one with the hole in it that looks like a UFO.

Adelaide's pro AFL paper The Advertiser has referred to
it as a frisbee... sure looks like one.

lions2006

January 11th, 2006, 11:45 PM

The trophy looks like a dunny seat!! :weird:

I think a second Melbourne team is way off. Because the city is so centralised, where would you have the second team?? Couldn't have them in Frankston or geelong.

Looking forward to the finals series, i agree that the top team should be champions and to have a top 4 playoff for the a-league cup.

Any news on whether the top 2 teams quailfy for the Asian Champions League?? I believe they made this year 21 rounds so the top 2 could take part this season.

Tancred

January 12th, 2006, 01:38 AM

Any news on whether the top 2 teams quailfy for the Asian Champions League?? I believe they made this year 21 rounds so the top 2 could take part this season.

Australia is not in the champions league for 2006. In 2007 the Champions league will be expanded and we should get two spots.

BobDaBuilder

January 12th, 2006, 03:05 AM

Not sure if the ACL will be the promised land like everyone is hoping for however. The Asian teams they come up against are not exactly household names and attendances in Asia are in some cases less that what we get for A-League.

It could develop down the track, but it is nothing like the European CL.

TOCC

January 12th, 2006, 09:07 AM

the major reason behind the early succes of the A-league is the fact that they have only one team per city and also that there arent to many teams. Putting teams in places like hobart and canberra is a long long way off. And to put more then one team per city would be undermining what has made the A-league a success.

BobDaBuilder

January 12th, 2006, 11:18 AM

It will be 2010 before they start looking to add new clubs.

If the league interest grows, then potential new teams will be knocking at the door. If not, then it'll stay small.

No chance we want those Greek, Italian and Croatian teams back. If I was News Ltd, I would pull the plug on the whole kit and caboodle if they go down that track again.

lions2006

January 16th, 2006, 08:45 AM

Looks like the top 4 teams are settled. In the finals, is it 2 home and away legs or just the one game?? and also what is the order for games?? 1 vs 2 with winner getting home final and 3 vs 4, loser knocked out??

Hopefully will get some bigger crowds for the finals. Newcastle crowds have been extremely disappointing, in the NSL they used to get crowds 14,000 to 17,000. Are tickets too expensive or just a lack of real support??

Wezza

January 16th, 2006, 10:44 AM

Roar have been getting not bad crowds considering they haven't exactly had a very good run of things. If they can start winning next season, the crowd figures can only go up surely?

BobDaBuilder

January 17th, 2006, 07:03 AM

For mine, Perth Glory has been a real disapointment. Their latest attendance was only 5,000. They have been going steadily backwards since they joined the league. They are a bit like last years Xmas present for the Perthlings.

NZ/Auckland was always going to be a mistake. You get the feeling the FFA ONLY had them in so they could wriggle out of Oceania easier by having NZ soccer by the balls so to speak. Now that is not an issue, their time is definately numbered. They have been gazzumped. And to be honest, who really gives a toss. They are not a part of Australia, it is not our problem growing the sport over there.

With Central Coast and Newcastle. Really if they are in the league, you could easily have a Wollongong, Geelong and Canberra. I wouldn't touch, Gold Coast, Hobart or northern Qld. They are not sports fans like in tradional locations.

My tip for the league in 10 years:

Melbourne Vic
Sydney FC
Ad United
Perth Glory????
Queensland R
Newcastle
Central Coast

Wollongong Wolves (have their own stadium, pokies club, tradional and are eager to rejoin. They will be the first cab off the rank. Possibly even earlier replacing Auckland)
West Sydney (huge untapped market)
Canberra (lot of soccer clubs interested in joining or possibly a composite team)

Geelong/Western suburbs of Melbourne/Northern suburbs of Melbourne are all possibilities. Don't know the SE suburbs of Melbourne too well, but the population down there is growing at a massive rate. They would need a stadium to attract the local supporters as central Melbourne is a long way from the SE and need their own team.

I get the impression fans in Melbourne will get more and more peeved at the way Geoff Lord runs the Victory and drive people away also. So there will be room for another team in greater Melbourne one day. It is far too large a geographical region and too many people are a long way from the city where the Victory play.

Teams out: NZ/Auckland. A provincial side(Gosford) and possibly Perth will fall by the wayside. Very concerning the Perth owner's recent thoughts. He basically wants out. Gosford will fail because they just don't have enough people in the region they are drawing from. If Gosford gets an NRL club that will be it.

lions2006

January 17th, 2006, 08:47 AM

i agree with the nz knights, kick them out at the end of the season and bring in wollongong. the jury is still out on the central coast, region has 300,000 people but getting average crowds. looks really bad on tv cos everyone sits on the broadcast side of the ground. im tipping they will collapse financially in about 2 years.

TOCC

January 18th, 2006, 08:14 AM

IN the last week or so
well the QLD Roar are out of the finals running.
Archie Thompson the last soceroo playing in Australia has been contracted
and QLD are possibly looking for a new coach next season.

KingKong1

January 19th, 2006, 02:04 AM

There is no way NZ will be kicked out in just the first or even the second season, the A-league administrators have said this and are totally commited to NZ
Pros for NZ:
Large market, NZ- 4 million, Auckland- 1.3 million
Great Stadium, North Harbour Stadium, capacity 25,000
http://www.austadiums.com/stadiums/photos/northharbour1.gif
No 1 played sport in NZ from ages 5-18
NZFC domestic comp producing good potential, next season wil see at least 2 from this comp coming into Knights one to watch Keryn Jordan with 15 goals from 10 games
Many promising young players coming through

Cons for NZ:
Results, results, results
Too many foreign imports into Knights, the team only has about 6 or 7 NZers in it, where as central coast is basically all aussies
Totally new football club
No club rooms that could produce money
Tight budget but are not financially stuffed like some people would think

In saying all that I am nervous for the Knights they need to prove themselves next season or they are history

Rev

January 19th, 2006, 02:39 AM

Rather then expanding the A League what needs to happen is the establishment of lower nation leagues, and a promotion and relegation system put in place.
Similar to that in England.

The A League is still in its infancy.
There is no point expanding it, if some teams are going to continue to perform poorly. That wont draw in the crowds.
With a promotion/relegation system, there is greater potential not just for the A League, but for growing the game in Australia further.

nerazzurri

January 19th, 2006, 05:18 AM

I was reading an article about a possible 2nd tier expansion on the league. As in a Second division of the A-League, I think this is a great idea but I think you'll find FFA are quite short on money at the moment :lol: They need some sort of like Cup in between the season to keep more interest in this competition, like a league cup. But then again it comes down to money :lol:

Rev

January 19th, 2006, 05:34 AM

I dont see the funny side to that..?
hm

If they are to have a cup competition, it should run at the same time as the A League season proper.
That is how it is done all over the world.

'course it will take time to build the game up to that level here.

lions2006

January 19th, 2006, 06:29 AM

im all for a a-league and a b-league. 8 teams in both, 28 rounds, teams play each other twice and bottom 2 relegated and top 2 of b-league promoted.
Hyperthetical-

A league
Queensland
Newcastle
Central coast
Sydney
Melbourne
Adelaide
Perth
New Zealand

B league
Wollongong
Canberra
West Sydney
South East Melbourne
Gold Coast
Tasmania
Geelong
Christchurch.

Really struggled to make up the numbers in the b-league
We shouldn't have any of the existing ethnic clubs in this competition.
B-league 5-7 years away, we don't have they players or the sponsorship money.

Thoughts??

Rev

January 19th, 2006, 07:50 AM

What? If it wasnt for the "ethnic" clubs, you guys wouldnt even know a thing about football. Heck, the media still calls it 'soccer'.

Fact is, the ethnic clubs have the bigger supporter base.
Why? Because the ethnics support 'soccer' most.

Tancred

January 19th, 2006, 08:23 AM

Rev

January 19th, 2006, 10:55 AM

Imho, it should eventually be expanded to be more then an A and A2 league.
There should be several divisions underneath the A League, made up of state and premier league teams from all the state competitions.
That will involve abolishing state federations however.

renell

January 19th, 2006, 11:13 AM

I don't know shit about Central Coast financially but they're doing way better than Melbourne, Perth, Queensland and Newcastle. More and more Sydneysiders are moving over there.. even around here near Hornsby it's nearer to watch the Mariners in Gosford than going down to Aussie Stadium to watch FC.

About New Zealand.. they definately need to be in A2 whenever that comes up. For 3/4s of the season all teams except the Knights had a chance of making the top 4. However this second division league will be hard to develop unless you get the state soccer governing bodies to combine together to make a nationwide second-tier league. like a champions league except with local sides. It's not gonna get rid of the ethnic clubs but it doesn't need all-new infastructure.. those state federations most likely help and control a wide variety of the grassroots

TOCC

January 19th, 2006, 12:11 PM

Do you even know how QLD is doing financially? They are probably the most financially stable club in the whole comp. The club has a enourmous number of pokies at a few different clubs in SEQ. Not to mention all the others like sponsorship etc.

By the way, QLD Roar is in reality a ethnic club, they started off that way and thats why they have such a huge membership base. The ethnic based clubs are whats holding this competition together.

NCC1701D

January 19th, 2006, 12:19 PM

Queensland roar still maintain their "Dutch" heritage. Just have a look at the dutch national team jersey and the Queensland roar jersey

Dutch (Holland)
http://www.ek.nl/img/F-Makaay.JPG

Queensland Roar
http://www.a-league.com.au/_content/image/00000388-image.jpg

NCC1701D

January 19th, 2006, 12:22 PM

^^
Can you imagine if a ethnic back team of Italian, Greek or Croat origin tried to do the above??, it would be World War fucking 3 within the soccer community again !!!!!

Tancred

January 19th, 2006, 11:15 PM

^^
Can you imagine if a ethnic back team of Italian, Greek or Croat origin tried to do the above??, it would be World War fucking 3 within the soccer community again !!!!!

:weirdo:

Name one Greek, Italian or Croat club that would be willing to leave their small, almost in the middle of nowhere grounds that have no public transport, to play in a decend, modern stadium and *still* be able to attract a crowd bigger than 3 men and dog and I will accept they should be considered for the A-League. Untill then they should be happy playing in the state league. Oh and don't even think about South Melbourne, if they had a decend bid, they wojuld have been in over Victory.

CULWULLA

January 19th, 2006, 11:32 PM

A League Ladder
Pos. Team P W D L F A GD Pts
1 Adelaide Utd 18 13 2 3 30 21 9 41
2 Sydney FC 18 8 6 4 30 24 6 30
3 Newcastle Jets 18 8 4 6 25 21 4 28
4 Central Coast Mariners 18 7 6 5 29 24 5 27
5 Perth Glory 19 7 5 7 30 26 4 26
6 Melbourne Victory 18 6 5 7 23 19 4 23
7 Queensland Roar 18 5 6 7 18 19 -1 21
8 NZ Knights 19 1 2 16 13 44 -31 5

NCC1701D

January 20th, 2006, 12:22 AM

:weirdo:

Name one Greek, Italian or Croat club that would be willing to leave their small, almost in the middle of nowhere grounds that have no public transport, to play in a decend, modern stadium and *still* be able to attract a crowd bigger than 3 men and dog and I will accept they should be considered for the A-League. Untill then they should be happy playing in the state league. Oh and don't even think about South Melbourne, if they had a decend bid, they wojuld have been in over Victory.

I think you forget that some of the clubs in the A League are spawned from Ethnic clubs. Perth Glory, Adelaide Utd, Queensland Roar. South Melbourne would of been there but they were deemed to be "too ethnic" in many peoples eyes.

Also, Club Marconi in Sydneys West has one of the biggest Memberships of any club in Australia.

Rev

January 20th, 2006, 12:57 AM

Tancred

January 20th, 2006, 01:18 AM

I think you forget that some of the clubs in the A League are spawned from Ethnic clubs. Perth Glory, Adelaide Utd, Queensland Roar. South Melbourne would of been there but they were deemed to be "too ethnic" in many peoples eyes.

Oh come on , how are Perth and Adelaide *spawned* from ethnic clubs? Adelaide were created by the SA Football federation, when the owner of the Adelaide City had a hissy fit and pulled the plug.

Also, Club Marconi in Sydneys West has one of the biggest Memberships of any club in Australia.

I never said the ethnic clubs did not have a large membership. Actually getting them to go to games on the other hand was and still is a problem. I can remember going to Marconi several times, the crowd was at least 50% away fans and yet the club was full.

Tancred

January 20th, 2006, 01:43 AM

Tancred, Adelaide City, an Ethnic Italian team(also one of the Originals), would play at Hindmarsh Stadium.
Con Makris, has tried several times to get a team(Greek, but obviously would have a mix) into the national comp, but they wont let him. A team from him would have the financial backing guaranteed, and would play at Hindmarsh Stadium.
South Melbourne, where do you think the would play? Olympic Park, the place thats being redeveloped to fit 25,000 right?

South Melbourne and Con both had their chances. I remember the President of Soth Melbourne saying they would spend money on advertising when the crowds increased. How about spending money to increase you crowds? If Con was serious about football in Adelaide why did City's crowds get so bad? And why did Uniteds crowds look so good in their first season?

I remember the West Adelaide(Greek), Adelaide City(Italian) derby days. There used to actually be a real atmosphere at Hindmarsh. REAL football supporters, not the hicks who have jumped on the bandwagon recently. I cannot speak for Adelaides fans, but Sydney FC has 1000's of REAL football fans who were fedup with all the ethnic shit year after year after year.

As for the Ethnic clubs drawing in a big crowd, you obviously have no idea about the support these clubs have from the ethnic communities. Dont worry about the NSL crowds that used to turn up, the NSL wasnt working.
I actually have quite a good idea, but with the ethnic clubs in the league, the league was never going to grow or expand.

If it wasnt for the Ethnic clubs you people wouldnt even know what football was. It would be as foriegn to you as Grid Iron. :ohno: Really? Well if you would like to look at history, remember the Phillips soccer league? The first national league in the country? The league broadcast by channel 10? They gave up after 2 seasons because of all the ethnic shit. And I love the phrase "you people", you sound like some of the morons who follow Sydney Croatia, and boo through the Australia anthem on Australia day.

All this community support is awsome dont get me wrong, but shutting out the Ethnic clubs which did more for the sport then any backwards politician or these so called 'football lovers' who have appeared overnight, is wrong.

Now you are really starting to sound like some of the Aussie Rules fans "Australia's dont like football" There have been many fans of football in Australia who cannot relate to the ethnic clubs and were shutout of the national league because of it. This idea that people who are not from the ethnic groups who have their own football teams, don't like football is total crap. For all the good the ethnic clubs did, they also did a lot of bad.

The old ethnic clubs have a place, in the state league. I hope one day there is a national cup, so they can play the A-League sides.

BobDaBuilder

January 20th, 2006, 02:15 AM

In two minds about the old NSL clubs like South Melb. Hellas, Ad City Juventus, Marconi etc..

Yes, they did wonderfully well to establish a league, and produce so many great players. Almost a miracle in spite of the huge hurdles in front of them.

But the league was dying a slow and painful death of infighting and general lack of interest by people outside those small ethnic communities, the league itself has slumping attendances by the year. No media interest and all the players were leaving anyhow. The people who were in these communities only have to ask, where is the next generation of Italians or Croatians coming from? Immigration from those places stopped in the 1970's. Those days were finished and their kids had integrated as their children would even moreso.

Its days were numbered and it was almost beyond rehabilitation when the government stepped in. Personally I am shocked that practically everything that you could have wished for in a local scene has now come true in a few seasons. The old guys who were running the organization were a disgrace and only there to protect their little fiefdoms. Even they saw the writing on the wall.

As it turned out it became a blessing in disguise the numerous close-calls by the Socceroos. It suffocated the old buggers running the sport because they were bankrupted out but it also opened up all the non believers eyes to what soccer could do in Oz. Probably the biggest thing was tv and seeing Aussies doing pretty well against famous players and teams in Europe.

If they manage to do anything with this league, I hope they never go down the path of the divisional structures. That sucks. Over here we could potentially at best have 12 pro teams with reserves and youth academies. To develop talent should be all that matters.

Rev

January 20th, 2006, 02:21 AM

Not all the teams in the NSL were ethnic based, and all crowds sucked big time except a few derbies like the Adelaide ones.

Basically, now that there is a revamped league, with money, sponsorship etc, and a new buzz around the whole thing, people are turning up in thier thousands.
Put a few ethnic clubs in, there wont be any difference. Big crowds will still turn up.

Adelaide United is run by Italians, incase you hadnt noticed.

BobDaBuilder

January 20th, 2006, 02:36 AM

^^^^^^

I know what your saying. Personally I put my faith in Lowy and O'Neill. They are the experts in this.

You never know, O'Neill might do an about face and let ethnic clubs in. Don't know why you need to though. Besides South Melbourne the rest of them drew few fans. Even Hellas only managed 6 or 7k a match on average. They are better suited to the state leagues. They do a brilliant job there developing players and making those leagues stronger. You have the A-League clubs as de-facto state league rep sides which is the way it should have been done from day 1 back in 1977. Although having New Zealand involved makes me very unconfortable when you leave out the old ethnic clubs.

renell

January 20th, 2006, 02:40 AM

Do you even know how QLD is doing financially?

When I said doing better than Queensland I tried to say football-wise. I don't really give a stuff about all this financial crap

Mr Centrepoint

January 20th, 2006, 09:20 AM

Well adelaide has this in the bag. But sydneys got 2nd place methinks. I hope soccer develops into what it's like in europe!

BobDaBuilder

January 20th, 2006, 02:23 PM

^^^^^^

Horrid thought. You would change your mind if you lived there.

In the end the only matches you end up being terribly concerned with in Europe are the internationals.

TOCC

January 21st, 2006, 06:32 AM

I don't know shit about Central Coast financially but they're doing way better than Melbourne, Perth, Queensland and Newcastle.

When I said doing better than Queensland I tried to say football-wise. I don't really give a stuff about all this financial crap

well learn to bloody write properly, some people on this forum seriously need to go back and learn English properly.

renell

January 21st, 2006, 08:23 AM

small error mate, get over it. wanna be my bloody tutor?

Mr Centrepoint

January 21st, 2006, 08:23 AM

^^^^^^

Horrid thought. You would change your mind if you lived there.

In the end the only matches you end up being terribly concerned with in Europe are the internationals.

But they have full capacity in the stadiums every game and the attendance average is like 35000. :eek2:

NCC1701D

January 21st, 2006, 01:48 PM

Brosque keeps miracle fight alive
January 21, 2006

Roar 2 Sydney FC 1
TWO-goal hero Alex Brosque upgraded Queensland's A-League season from clinically dead to surviving on life support with a scintillating display in the Roar's win over Sydney FC at Suncorp Stadium tonight.

Brosque kept the door slightly ajar for a shock finals charge from the Roar with two goals in the space of 10 minutes against the team he is rumoured to be joining next season.

It was the Roar's first home win since the opening round when it beat New Zealand 2-0.

The win moved Queensland to within four points of fourth-placed Newcastle – its opponents in the next round – with two games remaining in the season.

The Jets, however, could once and for all crush the Roar's last-ditch hopes of a finals berth if they beat Melbourne at home tomorrow.

For now, the Roar will be basking in the glory that originated from Brosque's magical boots with goals coming in the 61st and 70th minutes, much to the delight of the 13,302 fans.

Brosque's opening goal sprung from a terrific challenge by Queensland midfielder Massimo Murdocca on Sydney defender Iain Fyfe.

A sliding Murdocca managed to deflect the ball from Fyfe's feet and towards Brosque who calmly slotted it past the outstretched arms of goalkeeper Clint Bolton.

His second came on the back of a deft pass by Jonti Richter from the edge of the penalty box and left Bolton with little chance of saving it.

Sydney striker Sasho Petrovski, who came on as a substitute with Steve Corica in the 62nd minute, scored a late consolation goal for the visitors but it was not enough to steer them towards a draw.
They will stay in second place on the table but coach Pierre Littbarski must be concerned by the way his team has failed to dominate rivals since the Club World Championships last month.

Queensland coach Miron Bleiberg waited until the 66th minute to introduce teenage sensation David Williams to the professional ranks.

Williams struggled to have much input but almost scored a late goal with only a desperate effort by Bolton blocking his path.

QUEENSLAND ROAR 2 (A Brosque 61m 70m) SYDNEY FC 1 (S Petrovski 87m) at SunCorp Stadium. Crowd: 13,302.

Mr Centrepoint

January 22nd, 2006, 08:21 AM

Now that was a fluke methinks.

lions2006

January 29th, 2006, 12:28 AM

Great result for the Central Coast Mariners, currently in second spot and they got their biggest crowd of the year (11,945) Watched parts of it on tv, after their second goal, the crowd came to life. Walking around at Erina Fair shopping center yesterday, there was u number of people walking around with mariners gear- tops, tshirts and caps.

The club intends to establish a Mariners Acadamy in conjunction with central Coast fooball to cater for talented players from 15 years. The Mariners plan to keep leading goalscorer Stewrt Petrie at the club for several seasons with the lure of a coaching position at the new acadamy. Positive move forward for the club with this news and a possible top 2 finish. Football really has a chance to take the area by storm in the near future.

TOCC

January 29th, 2006, 04:02 AM

Now that was a fluke methinks.
QLD 5 - 0 Newcastle

small error mate, get over it. wanna be my bloody tutor?
i dont associate with deadshits

Rev

January 29th, 2006, 04:19 AM

well learn to bloody write properly, some people on this forum seriously need to go back and learn English properly.

No offence, but that is hypocritical.
How can you blast someone for not spelling properly, when you didnt even use a capital W at the start of your sentence??

At least ensure your own spelling is perfect before having a go at others about such things in future.

Mr Centrepoint

January 30th, 2006, 08:01 AM

Jesus christ i shit my pants when queensland whooped newcastle. Queensland usually can't hit a house!

lions2006

January 30th, 2006, 08:53 AM

If Central Coast win and Sydney FC draw, both will be level on 34 points but CC will go ahead on goals scored and a double chance against Adelaide United.

Finals format-
Ist vs 2nd over 2 legs. winner gets home grand final. Loser to get home preliminary final of 3rd vs 4th winner.
3rd vs 4th over 2 legs. Winner to play against loser of 1 vs 2. Loser eliminated.

Mr Centrepoint

January 30th, 2006, 08:57 AM

So what stadiums going too hold the grand final?

TOCC

January 30th, 2006, 10:08 AM

No offence, but that is hypocritical.
How can you blast someone for not spelling properly, when you didnt even use a capital W at the start of your sentence??

At least ensure your own spelling is perfect before having a go at others about such things in future.

take another look before you go commenting as well, what he said insinuated one thing but meant something completely different, hardly a spelling mistake.

Anyway this little topic has had way to much air time, so the top 4 spots are now secured with QLD and Melbourne the last to be cut. Top 4 i believe is made up of Adelaide, Newcastly, Central Coast and Sydney, in no particular order

Rev

January 31st, 2006, 09:48 AM

How utterly boring it will be if two NSW teams make the grand final.

Mr Centrepoint

January 31st, 2006, 11:00 AM

Just proves how great our state is. :)

Llanfairpwllgwy-ngyllgogerychwy-rndrobwllllanty-siliogogogoch

January 31st, 2006, 11:22 AM

Hey guys, I don't know much of Australian soccer (yet).
My team PSV has a few Australian players, forwarder Culina,defender Wilson and Goalkeeper Coe. The last two never played in the first team yet.Since a week we have a 4th Aussie, Archie Thompson.
Who can tell me more about this guy besides he scored 13 goals in 1 match once.
BTW how is the soccer moving on, getting more foreign stars like York ??

auslankan

January 31st, 2006, 11:31 AM

Basically, now that there is a revamped league, with money, sponsorship etc, and a new buzz around the whole thing, people are turning up in thier thousands.
Put a few ethnic clubs in, there wont be any difference. Big crowds will still turn up.
You think 12-13000 are "Big crowds", in the AFL crowds that small are looked upon as a disgrace.
The ALeague hasnt even got any competition from other codes and they still cant pull decent crowds or get FTA television.

Llanfairpwllgwy-ngyllgogerychwy-rndrobwllllanty-siliogogogoch

January 31st, 2006, 11:39 AM

12.000 is okay, here in NL some stadiums can only take so many people.
I guess your guys problem will be the location.
In NL we can attract young promising players(the real stars don't want to come here anyway), players like Ronaldo,Romario,Ibrahimovic,Kezman,Gudjohnson,Henke Larsson started their carreer in NL but became real stars when they left to big competitions.
Same as for our local heroes like v.Nistelrooy,Robben,V. Persie etc etc
Since NL is in the heart of Europe and our teams play european matches players get noticed much sooner by the big teams so very interesting for young guys who start their carreer. Just recently a young Greek guy, Samaras, moved from Heerenveen to Manchester City.

Tancred

February 1st, 2006, 12:12 AM

You think 12-13000 are "Big crowds", in the AFL crowds that small are looked upon as a disgrace.
The ALeague hasnt even got any competition from other codes and they still cant pull decent crowds or get FTA television.

:bash:

In the first season, crowds are above what tthe FA planed for. Foxtel is now showing all games live due to the demand and several clubs are drawing over 15K. All this will very little advertising. Give the new administration a few years to get going and see where we are.

The crowds Sydney FC have been getting would be considered excellent in the NRL. And now we are out of Oceania and in Asia I would expect the benfits to show results very shortly. Sitback and watch how football develops over the next 3-5 years.

ExSydney

February 1st, 2006, 07:22 AM

BobDaBuilder

February 1st, 2006, 07:51 AM

^^^^^^

Pretty good attendances. The FFA would be ecstatic. Interestingly the overall average is dragged down by the NZ club. How they ever got into the league is beyond me.

renell

February 1st, 2006, 08:24 AM

in afl this that what rubbish this is the A-League. there's an asian champions league isn't there? i hope A-League teams will be of such quality that they will be able to perhaps attract touring sides and touring fans too. Maybe an international signing too, that will get international views, something which AFL and rugby league will find hard to do in our neighbouring continent.

lions2006

February 1st, 2006, 08:49 AM

lets not forget it's only the first season of the A-League. Still a very long way to go but the signs look promising. Bit of a worry that a number of a-league players are leaving to go overseas. We need to stop our talented players going and bring back some proven performers eg Popovich, Lazaridis, Moore, Skoko, etc.

Imagine if you took out the top 100 players of both AFL and NRL, you wouldn't be left with much of a spectacle, Thats what the A-League is now but hopefully will change with time.

Wezza

February 1st, 2006, 09:21 AM

Average A-League home attendances

Sydney FC-15,780
Qld Roar-14,900
Melbourne Victory-14,611
Adelaide United-10,947
Perth Glory-9,734
Newcastle United-8,880
Central Coast Mariners-7,896
New Zealand Knights-3,989
Pretty good attendances i must admit. Roar will get better crowds next year if they can win more. Perth used to attract big crowds in the NSL, bu they used to win a bit more often!! What happened to them?

P.S. Pull your finger out NZ!! lol

Llanfairpwllgwy-ngyllgogerychwy-rndrobwllllanty-siliogogogoch

February 1st, 2006, 09:44 AM

see this link to compare with the european attendances

http://www.european-football-statistics.co.uk/attn.htm

Q-TIP

February 2nd, 2006, 07:00 AM

I am thrilled to be going to tomorrows game against Adelaide. I didnt know the A-League had a finals series, I thought it was like the EPL with the top team getting all the acolades.

Mr Centrepoint

February 2nd, 2006, 07:52 AM

Oh i hope NZ will piss off because that whole country has less crowds than one city!! That is ridiculous. They should replace them with marconi or south melbourne.

BobDaBuilder

February 2nd, 2006, 08:13 AM

^^^^^^

Agreed. Bring in Wollongong Wolves or a Canberra to maintain the one team, one town.

We are in Asia now, we don't need to kiss the Kiwis arses any longer. To hell with them I say.

Mr Centrepoint

February 2nd, 2006, 08:19 AM

Exactly! They can team up with the solomon islands in soccer now because we don't need these kiwi's pulling down the A league. Funny how it's the A league not ANZ league. lol

lions2006

February 2nd, 2006, 08:49 AM

Totally agree with the removal of the Knights from the A-League. Absolute and total failure. They are bringing down the crowd average of the league and poor quality of games. NZ is a passionate Rugby Union country, you don't see heaps of expat kiwis at a-league games but the story is differant in Super 14.. No one over there gives a shit about football.

Bring back the Wollongong Wolves !!!

Mr Centrepoint

February 2nd, 2006, 09:36 AM

Yeah wollongong would be a good team to have in the league! But later on what about teams in the same city for derby day!

Tancred

February 2nd, 2006, 11:27 PM

I am thrilled to be going to tomorrows game against Adelaide. I didnt know the A-League had a finals series, I thought it was like the EPL with the top team getting all the acolades.

I will be at the game tonight, though I do wish we would ditch the "finals" and make Adelaide champions. If we *have* to have a finals system, call it a champions cup or something.

KingKong1

February 3rd, 2006, 04:31 AM

Oh i hope NZ will piss off because that whole country has less crowds than one city!! That is ridiculous. They should replace them with marconi or south melbourne.
Well would you want to turn up when your team keeps losing? thats why the crowds are shit, interesting to note at the knights first home game 10,000 turned up and if they were competitive like the rest then crowds would have been up there. Also the Knights are going nowhere next season forget wollongong or south melbourne the knights are signed for 5 years, the squad will be alot different next season and beleive it or not but the budget is higher for next season aswell

KingKong1

February 3rd, 2006, 04:33 AM

Exactly! They can team up with the solomon islands in soccer now because we don't need these kiwi's pulling down the A league. Funny how it's the A league not ANZ league. lol
A league stands for Australasian League!

lions2006

February 3rd, 2006, 06:28 AM

Going to my first ever a-league game tonight, looking forward to a great game betwee the top 2 teams. Hoping for a crowd of between 18,000 and 22,000. Anymore then that would be awesome. Overcast at the moment so hope the rain stays away..

Mr Centrepoint

February 3rd, 2006, 07:34 AM

Does it? Holy shit i never knew that! Anyway in england teams like sunderland and portsmouth get a 25,000 average and they lose so many times it's not funny.

Mr Centrepoint

February 3rd, 2006, 07:37 AM

I'm going to the adelaide vs sydney game tonight! I hope adelaide gets torn to pieces but they probably won't. :( So imma get off my chops and go down to aussie soon.

ExSydney

February 3rd, 2006, 01:49 PM

lions2006

February 3rd, 2006, 11:42 PM

Great attendance and atmosphere at the game tonight. Drizzled the whole game but 2 world class goals but 2 world class goals by sydney fc made everone go home happy.

Q-TIP

February 4th, 2006, 11:22 AM

I will be at the game tonight, though I do wish we would ditch the "finals" and make Adelaide champions. If we *have* to have a finals system, call it a champions cup or something.

I agree, the whole finals series is so NRL or AFL thing. It is a shame though if Adelaide do not get crowned the 'champions' after the final series...

Mr Centrepoint

February 5th, 2006, 03:37 AM

So will they have the grand final at telstra stadium? Because if it's at a dollhouse like hindmarsh no one will fit in!

KingKong1

February 5th, 2006, 04:10 AM

I heard today that the NZ Knights have lost 3 million bucks this season! they are kicking 75% team out and having trials on wednesday and thursday

Mr Centrepoint

February 5th, 2006, 04:20 AM

Trials for what?

KingKong1

February 5th, 2006, 04:56 AM

new player trials of course, they have to build up an entire new team mostly, the current crop won't cut it they sucked ass, the manager totally underestimated the standard of the league, banking on lower english league players.

The Knights will be a much different team next season their will be about 10 new players, mostly all whites i hope!

The rumour mill is in motion and a 1.9 meter croatian striker is coming down for the trials and a korean thats all i know oh and keryn jordan is guaranteed a run the former south african international has scored 19 goals in 13 games in the nzfc. A new assistant coach is needed and its rumoured that former fulham reserve team coach and assistant academy director paul nevin who now lives in NZ will be hired, he holds a fifa professional licence awarded to those at the top of their game.

Mr Centrepoint

February 5th, 2006, 05:07 AM

Jeremie brockie's probably the best player in new zealand!

KingKong1

February 5th, 2006, 06:18 AM

hes a great talent and only 18 or 19, NZ's best player would be Ryan Nelsen captain of Blackburn Rovers

Mr Centrepoint

February 5th, 2006, 07:25 AM

Did he get the captaincy? I thought craig bellamy was the captain there!

sakor1

February 5th, 2006, 08:16 AM

So will they have the grand final at telstra stadium? Because if it's at a dollhouse like hindmarsh no one will fit in!

Well it depends. It will be at the home venue of the team that wins the Major Semi-final (ie: either Adelaide or Sydney). So basically Hindmarsh or Aussie Stadium. If Sydney win the right, I suppose they could try and get it to be played at Testra instead if they thought it would attract more than 40k... but realistically I think that Aussie Stadium would be perfect at the moment.

Heres the official finals schedule should you want to peruse it: http://www.a-league.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=3238&pageid=15

Stu

Mr Centrepoint

February 5th, 2006, 08:24 AM

A grand final at hindmarsh would be a flop in my eyes.

BobDaBuilder

February 5th, 2006, 10:19 AM

^^^^^^^^^^

They won't fill it?

Gotta say overall the season has been really outstanding, except for good old NZ.

KingKong1

February 6th, 2006, 04:06 AM

Did he get the captaincy? I thought craig bellamy was the captain there!
Yes he is, he took over from Andy Todd last year, he has the credentials was captain at DC united for 3 years and is capatin for NZ

Mr Centrepoint

February 8th, 2006, 09:13 AM

^^^^^^^^^^

They won't fill it?

Gotta say overall the season has been really outstanding, except for good old NZ.

Noo i mean like only 15,000 people will fit in! Unless they're sensible and use AAMI stadium.

BobDaBuilder

February 8th, 2006, 10:52 AM

^^^^^^^^

If they had that attitude in London. Chelsea, Arsenal, Fulham, West Ham, Charlton and Spurs would play all their games at Wembley.

Hindmarsh is the soccer stadium. That is where the games should be played.

Just double the ticket prices. The old supply and demand scenario.

Mr Centrepoint

February 12th, 2006, 05:22 AM

But those teams have 35,000 to 40,000 thats better than 15,000.

lions2006

February 17th, 2006, 07:45 AM

under 3 hours to the big clash in Gosford between Central Coast and Newcastle. as of this morning, 13,000 tickets have been pre sold for the game so im tipping a close to capacity crowd of 17,000.

Mariners to win 2-1

Avatar

February 17th, 2006, 02:41 PM

Yes and the Mariners did win, good on them. The game was awesome but a pity the mariners couldn't turn some of their on goal play into more goals. Newcastle did some strange things towards the end of the second half.

Felt sorry for Matt Osman coming off - he was looking pretty ruined.

Yeah and the stadium had over 17000 there for the match - it was quite full. The stadium was a sea of blue and gold.

CULWULLA

February 19th, 2006, 11:43 PM

well sydney are in final. now Central Coast mariners to play Adelaide to play sudney in GF.

http://www.sportal.com.au/photos/news/078061ld.jpg

Sydney through to GF after thriller
by: Adam Lucius at Aussie Stadium
Sportal

Sydney FC will host the inaugural Hyundai A-League grand final after defeating Adelaide United 2-1 in the second leg of the major semi-final at a boisterous Aussie Stadium.

The hosts won the tie 4-3 on aggregate following a 2-2 draw in the first leg in Adelaide.

Sasho Petrovski had given Sydney the lead in the 29th minute before Shengqing Qu equalised on the hour in front of a record crowd of 30,377.

But one-time skipper Mark Rudan, who was out of favour with coach Pierre Littbarski midway through the season, provided the winner in the 76th minute after meeting a Mark Milligan cross at the far post.

Sydney lived dangerously in the dying stages and was relieved when Ross Aloisi's well-struck drive hit the left post in the 82nd minute and Fernando's Rech's shot on the rebound was cleared off the line.

But there was to be no denying the Hyundai A-League's glamour team in another pulsating encounter between the two sides.

Sydney will now be hoping for a sellout crowd when it hosts either Adelaide or the Central Coast on March 5.

The only downside for Sydney was the booking of Milligan, who will miss the decider through suspension after being yellow-carded in the 57th minute.

Earlier, the hosts started the game full of purpose and almost pinched a goal after 31 seconds when David Carney was set free by Petrovski before finding Steve Corica with an accurate cross to the back post.

Corica sent the chance just wide but it was an early wake up call for the visitors.

The game then went through a quiet period as both sides tested each other out in the steamy conditions without threatening to score.

Petrovski's goal changed the mood of the match.

There was a hint of offside when the former Socceroo received the ball 30 metres out but he kept his cool to finish calmly.

That put the hosts up 3-2 on aggregate and the grand final appeared on its way to Sydney.

But Adelaide had other ideas and came close in the 37th minute when Aloisi swung in a cross for Qu.

Qu glanced his header against the Sydney crossbar and the home side scrambled the ball to safety.

Sydney continued to use the long ball to good advantage and could have had a spectacular second goal just before the break when Petrovski brought a clearance under control, juggled the ball three times but hit his shot wide.

The game opened up further after the break and it was Sydney who capitalised to book the first spot in the Hyundai A-League grand final.

Sydney FC 2 (Petrovski 29, Rudan 76)
Adelaide United 1 (Qu 60)

christarrant

February 20th, 2006, 12:07 AM

Great to see Sydney teams dominating ( or atleast doing very well at) Aussie sports recently !!!
Mens Basketball
Cricket
Soccer
AFL
Rugby League
Rugby Union
:)

lions2006

February 20th, 2006, 07:10 AM

Awesome atmosphere at Aussie last night. The Sydney FC Coaching team and players made a banner for the supporters fully signed and showed it to the cove supporters.

"To the best supporters-Thanks"

As you could tip they went spastic. We were next to the cove and we stood up all game, great game and atmosphere, but i thought the crowd was more like 35,000. don't know where the 12,000 spare seats were.

Rev

February 20th, 2006, 08:48 AM

The AFL cup for Sydney was a one off. You wont win it again, at least for a very long time to come.
The AFL will be dominated by three states, Vic,SA,WA.

Tancred

February 20th, 2006, 09:33 AM

Awesome atmosphere at Aussie last night. The Sydney FC Coaching team and players made a banner for the supporters fully signed and showed it to the cove supporters.

"To the best supporters-Thanks"

I knew when Pierre came over and sat in front of us grinning that he must have ahd somthing special planned - and he did not disappoint :)

Wezza

February 20th, 2006, 10:04 AM

We were next to the cove and we stood up all game, great game and atmosphere, but i thought the crowd was more like 35,000. don't know where the 12,000 spare seats were.
Yeah i thought the stadium looked pretty full as well, but Aussie Stadium can be deceiving sometimes. I noticed most of the corporate boxes were empty. Great crowd though, should be sold-out for the GF.

nerazzurri

February 21st, 2006, 01:06 AM

Must congratulate the A-League in it's first season too, defying the odds of being a flop or a no-contest sport in comparision to Australia's other competitive sports ie Cricket, Basketball (eh not really but anyway...). The crowds and whole competition has been better than I expected too.

BobDaBuilder

February 21st, 2006, 01:26 AM

The attendances are pretty close to those that the NRL average. If it continues to grow over the next decade you would think that it will surpass the NRL quite easily as the number 2 league in the nation.

They need to get the average attendance up to over 15,000 and add 4 more clubs, as well as get the sport on FTA tv to attract the widest possible audience while making the playing standards better by the year. All huge challenges for the comp. but am sure Lowy and O'Neill can do it.

Wezza

February 21st, 2006, 02:01 AM

^^
Stop being such a shit stirring wanker. You know thats all you're doing.

lions2006

February 21st, 2006, 06:22 AM

Great attendances this year particularly in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

Central Coast home crowds have steadily increased throughout the season culminating in over 17,000 for their last home game against Newcastle last weekend.

Melbourne Victory were the only team to get at least 10,000 people to every home game, fantastic considering they have the worst ground in the a-league, playing NZ Knights twice and their poor form in the second half of the season. Will be fantastic when their new stadium opens in 2008.

I believe the stadium is well into the planning stages and there are reports earth moving will start in June this year.

Wezza

February 21st, 2006, 09:00 AM

^^
Yeah Melbourne is long overdue for a decent rectangle shaped stadium.

Hopefully Qld Roar can find a replacement for Alex Brosque for next season, he was easily their best player this year. If they cans start winning more next year, the attendances will also go up.

Mr Centrepoint

February 23rd, 2006, 06:56 AM

Qld is also selling michael baird to some romanian team. Looks like queensland could be dung next season... And mr rev you do remember afl is unpopular in nsw and we still won.

BobDaBuilder

February 23rd, 2006, 12:35 PM

They have been talking about getting a soccer stadium in Melbourne for decades. Should be good when it is all up and running. Apparently it will be similar to Reading's Majeski Stadium in Buckinghamshire.

Mr Centrepoint

February 24th, 2006, 06:58 AM

Oh no madjeski looks hideous. They should make a mini old trafford.

lions2006

February 24th, 2006, 07:11 AM

Watching Total Football on FOX Sports last night, the a-league grand final at Aussie Stadium is an official sell out. Fantastic to see it sell out so quickly, wondered how many they would have got to the game if it was played at Telstra Stadium.

News also that NZ Knights young stars jeremy christie and jeremy brockie have been linked with moves to a-league teams perth and newcastle repectively. Another player Zenon Caravello who was their best player this season is reportedly moving back to his native Queensland with the roar.
If this is the case then they will be an embarrasment again next season and will be more calls for their removal.

CULWULLA

February 26th, 2006, 12:10 PM

poor old adelaide. minor premiers and miss out on gf.

go you mariners
http://www.sportal.com.au/photos/news/078415news.jpg

Mariners to face Sydney
by: Marcus Wilson
Sportal

The Central Coast Mariners have won a place in the Hyundai A-league Grand Final by defeating Adelaide United 1-0 in the preliminary final at Hindmarsh Stadium.

The Mariners set up the victory with an early goal and then defended bravely in a tense second half - Danny Vukovic making some crucial saves in the dying minutes of the contest.

Central Coast will now take on Sydney FC in the season decider while Adelaide United's season is over after finishing on top of the competition at the end of the minor rounds.

Central Coast coach Lawrie McKinna said his side was aiming to make the finals this year but didn't imagine they'd be playing in the grand final.

"Maybe it is a fairytale getting this far but I think we deserved it tonight - it was a very hard game," he said.

"As you'd expect Adelaide threw everything at us in the second half and we defended bravely."

"Midfield wise I thought we contained them I didn't think they had the upper hand in the first half at all."

Adelaide United coach John Kosmina said his side didn't make the most of its opportunities in attack.

"We conceded a dumb goal early in the game - we recovered enough from it I think and made enough chances in the second half, like we did last week, to win a couple of games but we didn't take it," he said.

"We had 20 un-pressured turnovers and that's been the story of our season - when we give the ball away cheap we get punished."

"We proved in the last two weeks that we are good enough to be in Sydney next week."

A defensive error by Adam Van Dommele allowed Central Coast score the opening goal of the contest.

At the seven minute mark Andre Gumprecht crossed the ball deep into attack.

Van Dommele appeared to have the pass covered but it slipped past his outstretched leg - behind him was Tom Pondeljak who had no problems scoring from close range.

It was a gift for Pondeljak, who has only registered one other goal this season, while the error infuriated keeper Daniel Beltrame and stunned Adelaide supporters.

Gumprecht's pace proved a dangerous a weapon for the Mariners early in the contest.

He found plenty of space on the right hand side of the pitch and created plenty of opportunities before United's defence improved.

Desperate to find an equaliser, Adelaide lifted and had its own chances to score.

In the 19th minute a powerful Fernando Rech shot from inside the 18-metre box was deflected over the top of the crossbar by the Mariners keeper.

And Ross Aloisi (20th minute) and Travis Dodd (43rd minute) sprayed shots high and wide of the goal.

The Mariners didn't enjoy the same attacking success late in the half but did have one chance to go 2-0 up thanks to another Pondeljak strike.

A low free-kick from the left side of the pitch shot past Adelaide's defensive wall and surprised Beltrame who dived to make the save.

The Mariners' defence was put to the test in the second half as Adelaide strived for its first goal.

The home side was full of enthusiasm but didn't appear to have the poise or finishing skills to keep the game alive.

At the 66th minute a tired-looking Shengqing Qu streamed towards into attack but instead of going for goal, passed off to Travis Dodd.

The pass was too far in front of him and Central Coast was presented with a goal kick.

And the best chance came when Adelaide earned a free kick about 25 metres from goal.

Fernando Rech struck the ball beautifully but it cannoned into the crossbar.

Two corners during injury time also set up some scoring opportunities but United couldn't find the back of the net.

Central Coast 1 (Pondeljak 7)
Adelaide United 0

renell

February 27th, 2006, 07:01 AM

I'm going for the Mariners, techincally I live in Sydney but I think Gosford is nearer than Moore Park.

lions2006

February 27th, 2006, 07:12 AM

Im from Sydney but am moving to the Central Coast at the end of the year so im supporting the mariners too. Excellenty result yesterday, will be fantastic for the Central Coast region especially since they are the only sporting team up there.

Got my tickets for the grand final, win, lose or draw it has a been a fantastic year for them with so much support and publicity. Imagine if we did win it, Gosford will go crazy!!

Please replace the NZ Knights with Wollongong.

BobDaBuilder

February 27th, 2006, 07:43 AM

^^^^^^^^

Agreed no need for a NZ team in the comp. They are not even in the same confederation. We owe them nothing. If some of their players are good enough, they they can be recruited to Australian clubs.

The GF should be superb. This is a far better concept than the European first past the post system. The EPL has been dead since Xmas. While the A-League is still up for grabs until the final day. A real shame it is not on SBS so a lot more people can get to watch the big match. But that is business for you. Don't think Foxtel will do us any favours.

As for Adelaide United. Looks like they peaked too soon. Not too sorry to see them bow out either.

Heres hoping the A-League will improve again next season.

Mr Centrepoint

February 28th, 2006, 07:03 AM

Well the gf was sold out. :( So i'll turn up and see if they have the big screen outside the stadium.

CULWULLA

March 1st, 2006, 02:13 AM

^ there doing that for the central coast stadium at Gosford.
go mariners

Mr Centrepoint

March 1st, 2006, 09:47 AM

Ah well i'll risk my life and turn up in a sydney shirt. :lol:

Avatar

March 1st, 2006, 09:54 AM

I get free tickets. :colgate:

Mr Centrepoint

March 1st, 2006, 09:59 AM

How do you do that?

Tancred

March 2nd, 2006, 03:43 AM

I have my ticket - and it's even my usual seat in the Bay row of Bay 23 :) :) :)

Many of the Cove regulars are scattered across the Cove end so expect the entire end to be standing and singing.

http://randomness.tancred.net/boards/body/smilesfc.gif http://randomness.tancred.net/boards/body/cove.jpg http://randomness.tancred.net/boards/body/smilesfc.gif

lions2006

March 2nd, 2006, 06:40 AM

i've got tickets too but i don't know where i'll be sitting until sunday.Going to the Central Coast to look at houses on the weekend, will be in a mad rush to make it to aussie stadium on sunday afternoon. Should be great being up there on the weekend, i hear most people have taken to the team so it should be interesting.

sakor1

March 5th, 2006, 12:55 PM

Congrats to Sydney, taking out the first A-League title! Was great to have a full house there watching too!

Stu

Rev

March 5th, 2006, 01:14 PM

Well done to the 'bling'.
Although I dont see the point of this finals system.
What was the point of handing Adelaide Utd a nice big shiny trophy as premiers, and now giving Sydney FC another trophy?
They should have the regular league, and a 'cup', much like most European countries.

Aussie Bhoy

March 5th, 2006, 02:02 PM

I think the reason for the finals is that they think Australian fans couldn't get used to a league system, typical everywhere else, where the team on top wins the season.

People think without finals it is boring, and the last couple of weeks of a season (if someone is miles ahead) can mean nothing. Unlike Europe we don't have relegation, or competition for places in Europe to keep a season exciting till the end for more reasons that the League winner.

Well done Sydney, and Dwight Yorke, I said when they signed him, he may just be here for a good time, but he has played well, and they have won.

CULWULLA

March 5th, 2006, 10:26 PM

bummer. from what i heard mariners really gave it to sydney and played the better for most of match. ah well always next year.

Avatar

March 6th, 2006, 03:33 AM

Well done Sydney, and Dwight Yorke, I said when they signed him, he may just be here for a good time, but he has played well, and they have won.

He may have set-up the winning goal but from where i was seated I saw a few mistakes and poor kicks - certainly not worth the money invested in his contract. The Mariners put up an amazing fight and deserved to win.

Had an awesome time though what a great evening! Pity the tickets were not staggered a bit better to allow more Mariners supporters to attend however.

lions2006

March 6th, 2006, 06:58 AM

Well done to Sydney FC, the Mariners had heaps of shots early but couldn't put them away. We were sitting in bay 19, was only a handful of Mariners supporters down that end. Fantastic atmosphere, huge crowd and very well behaved.
Can't wait for next season to begin. Should see better performances from Melbourne and Perth. Should be 28 rounds and not 21.

BobDaBuilder

March 6th, 2006, 07:25 AM

^^^^^^^^

They will have Asian Champs League for the top 2 or maybe 3 clubs on top plus all clubs from next year will have tv money to cover their asses unlike this season.

So much for the doomsayers like Patrick "AFL employee" Smith and Roy "NRL employee" Masters trying to downplay the success of the season by saying it won't last.

zulu69

March 6th, 2006, 08:30 AM

A-League on verge of record $20M TV
tribalfootball.com - March 6, 2006

A-League chiefs are set renegotiate their existing pay-tv deal with Foxtel after it emerged that ratings were rivalling that of the Super 14 rugby comp

The Sydney Morning Herald says Football Federation Australia chief executive John O'Neill confirmed the numbers being discussed would go some way to clearing the expected annual debts of clubs of $1.5 million to $2 million.
The revised contract would represent arguably the biggest rise in TV income for any sport in the country at any time and will include World Cup and Asian Cup internationals packaged alongside the A-League rights.
The new arrangement could see FFA earn $20 million-a-year.
O'Neill told ABC TV's Offsiders program that the success of the A-League's inaugural year meant " … we are in a better position to renegotiate with people like Fox Sports and we are in earnest dialogue with them at the moment."
Referring to the model used by the NRL, AFL and NFL of allocating club grants in accordance with income from TV rights, O'Neill said: "Clearly, broadcasting revenue fundamentally supports all professional sport.

"We started off modestly and now, having been successful ourselves, Fox Sports see the merit of a long-term investment in football as a mainstream sport in Australia."

SourceTribal Football (http://www.tribalfootball.com/march/austnews060306.html)

lions2006

March 6th, 2006, 10:39 AM

If this report is true then it's fantastic news for the clubs. They can wipe thier debts and aim to bring in better players and help promote their respective teams. better players and teams means more supporters, more sponsorship dollars and more teams wanting to join.

This league is gunna be massive.

auslankan

March 6th, 2006, 10:45 AM

Avatar

March 6th, 2006, 11:12 AM

Rev

March 6th, 2006, 11:12 AM

Why on earth would two non NSW based teams play a GF in Sydney?

That is the most ridiculous thing Iv heard.

This isnt the AFL, where the GF must be played in the same boring old place year in year out.

Gee, I wish some people would get a grip. Its the A Leagues first season. If you cant see any positives at all, or any progress, then thats your problem. But the picture some people are trying to paint is that the AL is doomed and will fail.

Ya, like the AFL or NRL actually were huge success' with 700million dollar tv deals in thier first years..

nerazzurri

March 6th, 2006, 11:28 AM

lions2006

March 6th, 2006, 11:39 AM

The only reason the game was played at aussie stadium was because Sydney FC earnt the right to have it at home. The winner of the top 2 teams 1st and 2nd legs was to see who would secure the rights to a home grand final.

in the years to come it could be played anywhere in Australia or even in Auckland but pigs might fly.

some people are panicking already....

BobDaBuilder

March 6th, 2006, 11:58 AM

The NRL GF doesn't sell out Telstra Stadium.

Put your money on the A-League to overtake the NRL next within the next 5 years.

It all seems so obvious that soccer would take off, it just needed the right things in place first.

zulu69

March 6th, 2006, 12:08 PM

If it was going to be so popular why didnt they have the guts to play the GF at Telstra Stadium? I think some people are getting a little over excited.

When two non NSW teams can draw 80,000 in a Sydney based GF this comp will have made it to the big league of NRL and AFL until then the jurys still out remember "one swallow does not make a summer"!

The report i posted DOES represent some excitement! It is the first season and for the record both sports you mention are only popular in certain states.
STATES have nothing to do with football (so take them out of your thoughts) and please note that Football IS the world game. Why is Australia different, aren't we part of the same world???
You reading this thread indicates that you too are starting to follow the happenings of the A-league. You do have a point and it would be silly to go over the top too soon. It is a start but a great start nonetheless. So as the old age football adage goes 'We will take it one day at a time'.

lions2006

March 6th, 2006, 12:20 PM

these are very exciting football times in this country. Successful a-league, the world cup in june and playing in the asian confederaton. i've lived in Melbourne all my life and love AFL but football will be the number 1 sport in this country in 10 years times.

Thank god we got Lowy and O'Neill in to get rid of the NSL and put us on the right track. Johnny Warren will be watching from above with a grin from ear to ear.

Tancred

March 7th, 2006, 03:56 AM

I wonder if they have thought about sending some coverage overseas for some minor interest, it would be a risk but Asia would certainly be interested in Aussie football since we are apart of the Asian confederation! :D

From posts on the SydneyFC forums, the highlights package is show in the USA and in Trinidad and Tobago. Some games were shown in Indonesia, and Sydney FC games were broadcast live into Japan.

lions2006

March 7th, 2006, 05:25 AM

BobDaBuilder

March 7th, 2006, 06:07 AM

That would be a dumb move by Sydney. He is a nutter and the Aussie league can do without his type.

There is 100s of better players around than him.

zulu69

March 7th, 2006, 10:42 AM

Reports from the Italian press is Sydney FC are looking at controversial Italian Paulo Di Canio as their next marquee signing. Di Canio who is currently with Lazio, turns 38 in july and his apparent move is to be bankrolled by an unknow Sydney businessman.
Di Canio has played for Celtic, Sheffield Wednesday, west Ham, Charlton and currently with Lazio.

That is excellent news. I love the guy, he certainly is an entertainer and has great skill. I for one would go and watch a game for him.

I will never forget how it was a 1-1 game when he played for West Ham United and a defender collapsed due to injury in the last moments of the game, he had an open goal at it's mercy and he picked up the ball to stop play.

Mr Centrepoint

March 9th, 2006, 08:41 AM

Thats like sportsman ship at the HIGHEST level right there. And soccer may take longer than 10 years to become the premier sport as afl and nrl are traditional and started in the 1800's.

zulu69

March 12th, 2006, 08:31 AM

Sydney FC in Juventus talks for big friendly
tribalfootball.com - March 12, 2006

Sydney FC are lining up a big glamour friendly against Serie A champs Juventus for the start of next season.

The Sunday Telegraph says Juve plan to tour Australia after the World Cup
and will bring their strongest squad for the big match.
Sydney chairman Walter Bugno was overheard with two other people at a
coffee shop at Star City discussing plans for the match.

It is understood Juve wants to play two games in Asia and one in Australia
and approached Sydney.
"You can't even have a coffee without people eavesdropping," Bugno said yesterday.
"All I am prepared to say is that we are working on a couple of potential
games leading into the new season and both are against overseas sides. I am not going to say any more until they are locked away."

Wow :eek2: sounds like great news. Definately would be a huge occasion. It must be said however that i would rather the mighty Reds of Liverpool, but hey beggers can't be choosers!! Finally Football in Australia IS getting its act together. They really are mastering the PR campaign and building on our recent world cup success.

Mr Centrepoint

March 12th, 2006, 08:38 AM

This would be a great day out! The only trouble is we'll probably get steamrollered. :(

NCC1701D

March 12th, 2006, 01:40 PM

Wow :eek2: sounds like great news. Definately would be a huge occasion. It must be said however that i would rather the mighty Reds of Liverpool, but hey beggers can't be choosers!! Finally Football in Australia IS getting its act together. They really are mastering the PR campaign and building on our recent world cup success.
Liverpool or any team from the Premier League, Spain or a major euro league would be good but in reality you're getting the best team (Juventus) from the World's best league (Italian Serie A) coming to play Sydney in Sydney. You can't ask for more than that.

Rev

March 12th, 2006, 01:50 PM

and building on our recent world cup success.
A bit premature..wait till they succeed in the WC..

Was watching the WG today..they are possibly going to establish a national youth league, basically under 21 sides of all the current A League teams.
They really want to expand to ten teams, and its possible a Woolongong and Canbera team would be established. Although for new team expansions, they want to wait till the current teams are all doing somewhat well(ie not struggling to survive like a certain AFL team with a debt over 11million dollars).

All is looking good.
Oh and btw, there was a big name international in the stands at the gf, forgot his name, dont know if you guys mentioned it.

zulu69

March 12th, 2006, 01:59 PM

Liverpool or any team from the Premier League, Spain or a major euro league would be good but in reality you're getting the best team (Juventus) from the World's best league (Italian Serie A) coming to play Sydney in Sydney. You can't ask for more than that.

Nah not buying any of that. Has you said La Liga i might have thought for a second. In my and the most experts mind the best league are the Prem or La Liga. It is one of the best yes, but probably third at the mo. The Serie A hasn't been the best since the late-mid 90's. Most clubs are bankrupt, the stars once there are in Spain or England and Serie A is just not as fast paced or exciting as the Prem or La Liga.
They also aren't the best team. They are very good but for the world's best team it HAS to be Barcelona. They have the world player of the year, World youth player of the year and the African player of the year just to mention a few.

I'm not having a go at you but this whole' in reality' business is bull. It is your opinion.

We won it 5 times, we won it 5 tiiiiiiimes. In Istanbul we won it five times. (that is more than twice Juve's tally of 2)

Yep but it is truly BIG news. Juve are one of the world's great clubs. No doubt would capture world headlines and fans.

lions2006

March 12th, 2006, 09:41 PM

The former big name international at the a-league grand final was former argentina internationa Gabriel Battistuta who apparently lives in perth now.

The next logical step would be a under 21 youth league, have them as curtain raisers to a-league games. there could be the next Kewell or Viduka playing in the Youth legaue, and we do have the young talent.

Mr Centrepoint

March 14th, 2006, 08:53 AM

zulu69

March 15th, 2006, 09:21 AM

BULLSHIT THE SERIE A IS THE BEST LEAGUE!! The premier league sends them out for fish and chips! Anyway Batitstuta in perth? He could come out of retirement and help them. And liverpool best in the premier league noooooooooooo way arsenal is the real deal. :)

Yeah are were (sometimes now are) class. Always loved them and are actually my 2nd team in the prem. When they were at their best, they were one of the greatest footballing teams around and ever really. BUT Liverpool (although not the finished article) are now i feel as good as Arsenal. Arsenal have lost a lot and despite their recent run of form, you have to remember that you guys are fighting to get into Europe. I really hope you do, as i said i love Arsenal BUT LFC ARE the most successful clubs in the world and THE most in England- so i can tell you; form is temporary, class is permanent.

Mr Centrepoint

March 16th, 2006, 08:51 AM

Well Aresnal has been playing the shittiest football since 1997 this season. Once fabregas comes of age he will fill viera's shoes. Anyway when henry's say in his late thirtys i'd like to see him in a sydney fc shirt.

lions2006

March 18th, 2006, 07:10 AM

Mr Centrepoint

March 18th, 2006, 08:33 AM

Oh no. If sydney keeps buying everyone we're going to look like chelsea and then no one will be interested in the a league. :(

renell

March 18th, 2006, 10:07 AM

well looks like Dwight Yorke will be going. The thing with the A-League is that the top team isn't the glass ceiling. The top teams, even as "glamorous" as Sydney FC, can still have players going away from them, into European leagues, even if the European ones are unknown Eastern European ones.

Mr Centrepoint

March 18th, 2006, 11:04 AM

He's on a two year contract and he confirmed that he is staying.

lions2006

March 23rd, 2006, 07:10 AM

Sydney FC defender Andrew Packer has been granted a release from his current contract so he can return to his native queensland to play for the Roar. the 25 yo says the move is for family reasons.

Queensland roar trio Warren Moon, Jonti Richter and Royce Brownlie have been told to look for new clubs next season.

Central coast Mariners coach Lawrie McKinna has been named a-league coach of the year.

clarky

March 30th, 2006, 10:29 PM

It great to see Kewell playing better football now for Liverpool and with only 70 day to the world cup.

Harry Kewell goal Liverpool v Everton(25th march)
http://media1.latestgaols.net/g4r8035w55hc.zip

renell

March 31st, 2006, 06:57 AM

He's on a two year contract and he confirmed that he is staying.

Ah, so rumors will remain rumors?

sydney_lad

April 5th, 2006, 03:11 PM

Dwight Yorke is staying.

Who i'm worried about is Dave Carney. He's currently in Germany speaking to a couple of clubs over there.

Also, Nick Theodorakopoulos (Nick Theo) has accepted a 1 year deal to manage the Newcastle Jets.

For those who don't know him, he was the manager of the 2000 NSL winners Woolongong Wolves and took Parramatta Power to the last NSL final.

In my opinion, he's one of the best Aussie managers around, surprised he wasnt involved in the first A-League season.

sydney_lad

April 5th, 2006, 09:25 PM

http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,18720660-23215,00.html

Vidmar wants to join A-League

SOCCEROOS star Tony Vidmar is set for a swan song in Australia after last night declaring his desire to play in the A-League after the World Cup.

The first of the senior Socceroos to seek a spot in Australia's nascent league, Vidmar issued an all-ports alert by saying he had no preference in terms of individual clubs.

The defender, coming to the end of his second spell with Dutch side NAC Breda, told The Daily Telegraph: "I still feel I have another two years of football left in me, and I think it would be good to come back home."

Vidmar has been rejuvenated under Socceroos coach Guus Hiddink, his inspired performances against Uruguay culminating in a successful penalty in the shoot-out.

Vidmar's family is from Adelaide, where his brother Aurelio is assistant manager at minor premier United and where Tony began his career with NSL side Adelaide City.

Tony Vidmar admitted he had spoken to his sibling but said there had been no movement on that front and he was open to offers from across the league.

"I have two children so Adelaide would be ideal as all my family is there, but that doesn't restrict me if another A-league club came in.

"I spoke with Aurelio a couple of weeks ago and mentioned I was looking to come back home. I think he's spoken to Kossie [Adelaide coach John Kosmina], but nothing further has come of it so far."

A stumbling block might be Vidmar's wages because the A-League clubs are limited to a salary cap - expected to be $1.6million next season - plus one marquee player.

Advertisement:
But Vidmar insisted wages needn't be a problem.
"I'm not going to hold a club to ransom. I know what I'm worth. In all my time in Europe, I've always done a contract with no to-ing or fro-ing. Agreeing a deal has never taken more than five minutes.

"I've never been greedy. I know what my value is and I hope that whoever wants to take me knows that. Everything can be negotiated."

An obvious vacancy has arisen at the Central Coast Mariners, with left back Dean Heffernan and centre back Michael Beauchamp poised to join German side Nuremburg.

While coach Lawrie McKinna - currently in Bali on holiday - has made a virtue out of not having a marquee player, it remains to be seen whether a player of Vidmar's skill and experience might persuade McKinna to change strategy.

Vidmar, about to return to action with NAC after a rib injury, also said he might be prepared to put off his expected international retirement after the World Cup.

Coaching staff fear retirements will leave the Socceroos with a greenhorn side, and a couple of the senior players for each Asian Cup qualifier would add valuable experience - and Vidmar could fit into that category.

"I don't know about my international future," Vidmar said last night. "After the World Cup, it partly depends on who the new manager is.

"I intended to retire from international football after the World Cup but one or two [Asian Cup] games might come into consideration.

"I think after the World Cup is probably the time to stop, but if a specific scenario was put to me then that could change things."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I reckon Central Coast will get him.

Then when he retires, he will go to Adelaide and take up some kind of coaching roll with Adelaide United.

zulu69

April 7th, 2006, 04:02 PM

Melbourne's Super Stadium

Melbourne is to get a new $100 million sports stadium as part of a facelift of Olympic Park.

AFL clubs Collingwood and Melbourne, National Rugby League team Melbourne Storm and fledgling A-League soccer club Melbourne Victory will all call the new stadium home.

The deal, to be announced today by Premier Steve Bracks, will cement the area as one of the world's best sports and entertainment precincts.

A rectangular stadium for rugby league and soccer matches is the centrepiece of State Government plans to redevelop Olympic Park, the Herald Sun has been told.

Work on the 20,000-seat stadium is expected to start soon after next year's Commonwealth Games and be completed in 2008.

The Government is yet to determine the final cost of the project but the stadium, administration buildings and training facilities are expected to cost up to $100 million.

Next week's state Budget will provide more than $10 million to develop detailed plans and pay for upgrading the adjoining playing fields in Gosch's Paddock.

A 25-year master plan for the precinct, to be developed by the Melbourne and Olympic Park Trust, Melbourne City Council and the Government, will examine future needs for athletics, the Victorian Institute of Sport and the Australian Open tennis.

The deal also secures Melbourne Storm's future, with the existing 11,500-seat Olympic Park stadium considered unviable for the club's long-term survival in the city.

The Demons, Storm and Victory have each signed memorandums of understanding with the Melbourne and Olympic Park Trust to base their headquarters at the new stadium. Collingwood's administration will remain at the nearby Lexus Centre.

To be built as an 18,000-to-20,000-seat venue, the stadium will be planned to include future expansion to cater for up to 25,000 spectators.

It will be beside the athletics track on the Edwin Flack Field, the old greyhound racing track.

The site is used as a training ground by Collingwood Football Club, which will move to upgraded fields in Gosch's Paddock before construction begins.

Melbourne Storm chief executive Brian Waldron last night said the stadium would be a boon not only for rugby league and soccer fans but the whole city.

"For the city of Melbourne there is nothing more exciting," Mr Waldron said.

"In recent years our position as premier sporting state has been challenged and this commitment, not just to a rectangular pitch but to the upgrade of the whole Olympic Park facility, will not only mean that we are the premier state, we'll have the best sporting and arts precinct in the world.

"And that's something all Melburnians should be thrilled with."

Mr Waldron said the world-class facilities would be attractive to spectators and allow players and coaches to perform at their best.

The Government's commitment to redevelop Olympic Park follows its withdrawal of $60 million in funds to redevelop the area after Victoria lost its bid for a team in the Super 14 rugby union competition last December to the Western Force.

State Sports Minister Justin Madden said then a strong case remained for improving the park, but the scope of any future work would be subject to development of a business case by the trust and the Government in consultation with likely tenants.

It is understood subsequent negotiations with all stakeholders convinced the Government a rectangular stadium was viable and would fill a missing link in Melbourne's world-class sporting facilities and help ensure Melbourne retained an NRL team.

Olympic Park was established as a centre for athletics, swimming and cycling for the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games.

Peter Mickelburough
Herald Sun

Great news for the world game down under. It has been a very successful first season. Hopefully it can go from strength to strength from here and actually get all the people who play it to follow it. Once that happens, Oz will join the world in it's love with Football.

sydney_lad

April 15th, 2006, 04:25 AM

Hey Tancred.

Are you still going to be in the convoy in Germany?

Mr Centrepoint

April 15th, 2006, 06:21 AM

I don't think i'll end up making to germany.... But in 2010 if the socceroos make it i'm so there.

Tancred

April 17th, 2006, 04:13 AM

Hey Tancred.

Are you still going to be in the convoy in Germany?

I'm all booked and fly out in 4 weeks

KingKong1

April 21st, 2006, 02:53 AM

New signing for sydney fc is nz knights and new zealand international jeremy brockie. terrific signing for the club, another nail in the coffin of new zealand knights.

Brockie has signed a 2 year deal.
fuckn poaching cunts, and brisbane stole zenon carravella, and perth stole jeremy christie and the wankers got leo bertos- haha its rediculous how aussie teams poach kiwis and now the knights are grabbing aussies, i have seroius doubts the knights will make an impact in the second season so far they only have bout 4 or 5 players signed

zulu69

April 21st, 2006, 03:51 AM

More good news for Football in Oz.

FoxSports to commit $120M to Australian game
tribalfootball.com - April 21, 2006

FoxSports and Football Federation Australia are set to unveil a mega $120 million television deal next week.

The Daily Telegraph says the package was agreed to by Football Australia boss John O'Neil and FoxSports chief David Malone.
O'Neill is expected next week to announce the deal which will take in all A-League and Socceroos matches, except the next two World Cups.
Coverage will also include the Asian Champions League, in which two A-League clubs will compete, plus Australia's Asian Cup qualifiers and finals.
FoxSports have transformed the game in the last 12 months with it's commitment to the A-League and local clubs stand to earn a cool $10 million each from the seven-year long deal.

Source:http://www.tribalfootball.com/april/austnews210406.html

renell

April 21st, 2006, 06:05 AM

I guess that's good for FFA money-wise, I guess I just gotta get Foxtel, with the Socceroos playing more competitive Asian teams there's more incentive to watch them. Or maybe I'll just rock up to Olympic Park whenever they play in Sydney.

Mr Centrepoint

April 21st, 2006, 07:43 AM

The sydney games are at aussie stadium. But still turn up! :)

lions2006

April 21st, 2006, 07:47 AM

7 years seems like its too long, but better then what they were getting for the first year of the a-league.
Look forward to watching the asian champions league with a couple of aussie teams in it.

renell

April 21st, 2006, 09:52 AM

The sydney games are at aussie stadium. But still turn up! :)

I meant like internationals. they often play in telstra don't they? if I wanted to see A league action I think it's closer if I went up to Gosford

Mr Centrepoint

April 21st, 2006, 09:58 AM

Oh yeah most games are played at telstra but i am bamboozled about why they chose the afl surface and shape of the mcg over a square stadium to host greece in.

zulu69

April 21st, 2006, 10:10 AM

^ For very 2 very good reasons.
1. Melb has a large Greek community.
2. Perhaps more importantly, The qualifier was in Sydney so it's Melb turn. Both cities are were you'll find the majority of Football fans.

Giorgio

April 21st, 2006, 10:15 AM

Actually, they didnt want it in Melbourne because of the large Greek community.
FFA Feared that there would be more Greece fans than Australia Fans.

Considering the game sold out in 2 hours after they went on sale to general public, its a great choice. 2 hours....was that a new record?

Mr Centrepoint

April 21st, 2006, 10:21 AM

How are they going to play if they reshaped the field to an oval? You'd think they'd put it in the telstra dome since that can be converted.

Giorgio

April 21st, 2006, 10:24 AM

The MCG is fine for football.
There have been games played their before and I heard that its a great venue for viewing anyway.

Mr Centrepoint

April 21st, 2006, 10:25 AM

Oh well it's all good then. :)

Giorgio

April 21st, 2006, 10:27 AM

Yep!
All excited for May 25th!

And then after that we wait for the A-League to start again so we can start to watch the real football yet again. :)

Mr Centrepoint

April 21st, 2006, 10:38 AM

Yeah and don't forget the world cup and pre-season. ;)

lions2006

April 21st, 2006, 11:25 AM

should be an awesome atmosphere, greek support will be phenomenal.

Mr Centrepoint

April 21st, 2006, 11:37 AM

That could well demoralize the socceroo's hence a 6-0 nutmegging. :(

BobDaBuilder

April 21st, 2006, 12:27 PM

The FFA is going to announce a $110 million tv contract with Fox Sports supposedly.

Basically everything will be on pay tv other than UEFA Champions league and World Cups from now on.

Giorgio

April 21st, 2006, 04:16 PM

Thats good for me because it makes me feel less guilty about paying the damn thing.

GRE vs AUS will be a good game.
There is even talk of a possible second leg in Sydney due to demand but I doubt it. :(

sydney_lad

April 22nd, 2006, 09:17 AM

Yes the tv deal is indeed good news. Especially for the A-League.

Also, today's herald reports there's talk of SFC re developing a stadium to play out of, possibly ES Marks feild, not far from the Moore Park precinct.

I would love for us to be playing out of a football purpose stadium.

Close up to the action, low metal roofs, covering all of the seating, would be fucking ACE!! :D

BobDaBuilder

April 22nd, 2006, 12:01 PM

^^^^^^^^

You want to see Sydney move away from a state of the art stadium to a suburban park with mounds?

Mr Centrepoint

April 23rd, 2006, 09:15 AM

They could redevelop that suburban park with mounds to a state of the art football stadium.

sydney_lad

April 23rd, 2006, 05:14 PM

^^^^^^^^

You want to see Sydney move away from a state of the art stadium to a suburban park with mounds?

Looking into ES Marks more, it looks like it wouldnt work.

SFS looks like the best place for us for the time being, BUT, if the state government agreed to build us a brand new stadium, purpose built for football, i would be over the fucking moon!

BobDaBuilder

April 24th, 2006, 01:24 PM

sydney_lad

April 24th, 2006, 01:38 PM

Just negotiate a better rental agreement with the SCG Trust. Forget building another stadium, its a waste of time and money.

The SFS is a superb facility, why in your right mind would you want to move anywhere else?

Shit, i didn't post the article, did i.

Sydney FC look further afield for a new home

SYDNEY FC are believed to have scouted Telstra Stadium as an alternative home ground ahead of talks with Aussie Stadium officials over the costs of hiring the Moore Park venue.

Burdened by massive losses from their debut season in the A-League - rumoured to be anywhere between $3 million and $6 million - Sydney FC are looking to slash operating costs ahead of next season. While the new television deal, due to be unveiled next week, will provide much-needed relief, the club remains focused on bringing down its core expenses.

Those expenses include the hiring costs and match day expenditure at Aussie Stadium - believed to be around $110,000 a game. As it stands, Sydney FC are just one year into a five-year deal at Moore Park, but are now keen to re-negotiate terms.

"One area that caught us out in terms of budgeting was the cost of staging games at Aussie Stadium," conceded chairman, Walter Bugno.

"We've made a priority of sitting down with Aussie Stadium and pointing out that it is an unsustainable level for us. That's what we're going through at the moment. Am I confident of a better deal? At the moment, the answer is yes."

Sydney FC's bargaining position may be enhanced if Frank Lowy - who has close connections with the Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust - succeeds in his bid to assume a 51 per cent stakeholding in the club.

While the club's clear wish is to remain at Moore Park, match-day economics remain a major stumbling block. Telstra Stadium is known to be a much cheaper option, but the stadium's size is a factor while a move west could also affect the club's demographic.

When a second Sydney A-League team does eventuate, it will almost certainly be based in the western suburbs - either at Homebush Bay or Parramatta Stadium. Sydney FC's fan base, and image, is largely associated with the northern and eastern suburbs - providing a natural fault line for any future local derby.

Certainly a shift to Homebush Bay would most likely be unpopular with many of the fans - notably regulars in "The Cove", who were credited by the players as a huge source of inspiration.

Longer-term, the Sydney FC board is believed to be mulling over other stadium options - including redeveloping either nearby ES Marks Field, or St George Stadium, at Kyeemagh into boutique, income-generating venues. Lowy may have to dip into his own coffers to help fund either project, which, if coach Pierre Littbarksi has his way, would also include training facilities and an academy.

Littbarski's own future, however, remains uncertain - he has still not signed a contract for next season, and is now being linked to vacant jobs at Cerezo Osaka and Sanfrecce Hiroshima during his current "holiday" in Japan.

Meanwhile, Socceroos striker John Aloisi has all but ruled out a return to the A-League - and his hometown club Adelaide United - next season. Aloisi is embroiled in a relegation battle with his Spanish club, Alaves. "You never know what can happen, things change pretty quickly in football," he said.

"But [returning to Adelaide] I don't think so, to be honest. I've got another year in my contract here, and if we stay up, I would think Alaves would want me to stay. Even if we get relegated, and they decide to release me, I'd prefer to stay in Europe."

In other news, frustrated Socceroos hopeful Michael Thwaite stands by his claims that he has not received enough help from Football Federation Australia in his long-running transfer dispute with his Romanian club National Bucharest.

The dispute has prevented Thwaite from joining Polish side Wisla Krakow, kept him on the sidelines for the past six months, and effectively sabotaged his World Cup hopes. Thwaite admits the episode has taken a toll.

"Everyone … keeps saying I'm young, and my time will come, but it's too hard to think like that," he said. "I mean, we qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 32 years, and I was part of it .. and now I may have to give it up. That's a difficult thing to contemplate."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

I hope to god we don't move to Telstra Stadium.

It's a soulless place and even with 20,000 - 30,000 the atmosphere is shit.

I don't get the SCG Trust, The Dragons and The Rabbitohs had to move from SFS because of operating costs, now they just have The Roosters and The Waratahs during the winter.

SFC are their only summer tenant, you'd think they'd be more appreciative.

BobDaBuilder

April 24th, 2006, 03:06 PM

A lot more soccer fans in the west of Sydney, transport links seem to be better out there.

Might be a premature move at this stage.

Tancred

April 25th, 2006, 04:16 AM

transport links seem to be better out there.

Homebush is horrid before and after games - one pub, no food, nothing to do. And it's only better if you live in the west. Anyone coming from the south, east, or northern area finds homebush much harder to get to.

I really don't think this move will l happen. It's all a ploy to get our rent lowered.

lions2006

May 1st, 2006, 11:18 AM

The official draw has been relesed for the 2006/2007 Hyundai a-league season.....

-21 round season same as last season.

- Reigning champions sydney fc have a grand final replay with central coast in round 1.

- Melbourne Victorys round 2 game against sydney fc will be played at the 54,000 capacity telstra dome.

- Between round 17 and 18 there will be a christmas break from dec 22 to dec 24.

- finals series same as last season beginning jan 26- 28

- Grand final to be played sunday february 18

and also..
Melbourne Victorys on loan socceroo star archie thompson will be back with the club for the first round after starting only 2 games for psv eindhoven.

Unless he plays well at the world cup and gets picked up by another european team, this is fantastic news for the victory and the a-league in general.

Mr Centrepoint

May 1st, 2006, 11:24 AM

Jebus February 18 is bloody early! Hopefully it's a sign of a longer season... Anyway if the telstra dome doesn't surpass at least 30,000 people i will be deeply upset.

lions2006

May 21st, 2006, 04:17 AM

Archie Thompson will see out the remaining three years of his Melbourne Victory contract after Dutch club PSV Eindhoven decided not buy the on-loan striker.

Thompson struggled to break into the PSV team, making just two appearances for the Dutch superpower, but the 27-year-old's transfer-move did maintain his fitness ahead of Germany 2006 under the guidance of Socceroos coach Guus Hiddink.

"Getting the opportunity to play under the current national coach at PSV and prepare for the world cup was an unbelievable opportunity," Thompson told AAP.

The skilful striker, who is in town with the Socceroos for their match against Greece on Thursday, said he was looking forward to returning to Melbourne and the Hyundai A-League after the World Cup.

"My family is settled here in Melbourne and the set-up of the club and the support of the fans is brilliant," he said.

Great news for Melbourne, the a-league and football followers in general. once we get a few old socceroos back after the world cup, the a-league will become a much better league which should boost attendances.