Top article. 15,000 views from our facebook page, and South Melbourne's official account shared it. You owe me a beer! ;)

Talk yourself up son

Actually that's exactly what they should be talking up. Without the history and all that came in the past the club wouldn't even be a discussion point now, Bloody oath you brag about the success of the past it came at the highest level and it should be used as one portion of selling the club.

Instead they chose to talk up a random cup comp that would have no influence on the clubs A league ambitions, " we wanna use the FFA cup to get into the A league" I'm still scratching my head trying to work out the relevance of that.

The selling points of what the club is right now are compelling enough for A-League inclusion than stories of the history of the club back in the day, they are rightly focussing on the present and future.

Well if stupid conditions are being imposed, you can't blame them for taking stupid measures to match.

It seems tough but it makes sense, both the Raiders and Brumbies are as much Southern NSW teams as Canberra clubs.

Gallop would hopefully know a bit the issues of running a club in the area from his NRL days.

That's fine, but surely anyone local to the area who wants an A-League team would support a team named "Canberra", with a disingenuous name to suit the spreadsheets like "Southern NSW Governance Region FC" being totally unnecessary. Either they'll support them or not, jumping through hoops that don't exist helps nobody, and detracts from a chance to establish a genuine identity.

I didn't live inside Melbourne itself when I became originally rusted on to Melbourne Victory back in the day, but now I think it's pretty safe to say I dabble, to say the least.

fuck sake if we get something like "southern NSW/act FC" ima kill myself.

The name of the administrative region and the name of the club don't have to be the same. Newcastle Jets represents the whole region that is administered by Football Northern NSW. An advantage of Capital Football looking after Southern NSW like happens with Rugby Union is that the number of registered players within the region would increase by around 50%. Currently there are 16.5k registered players in the ACT competitions and another 8.5k in the District Associations in Southern NSW. Bringing them under 1 administration would provide development pathways from the entire region to a future A-League team in the closest major city.

I agree that when Canberra gets a team it needs to be called Canberra and not some vague inclusive names that tries to fit everyone in but satisfies nobody, but Capital Football have known now for a while that Gallop is looking at clubs that will try to represent a larger population and CF has been doing a bang average job at that.

Albury-Wadonga and Wagga Wagga would've been a perfect additions to CF but they went to NPLV and NSW SL2 respectively. Maybe they are too far gone at this point but imo they'd be better off being big fish in a small pond than small fish in a big one.

If CF are going to have a large say in an eventual A-League club in the area they should be putting in an effort instead of just representing ACT and Greater Canberra.

IIRC, the standard was lowered from 1mil to 500k in the WOFP. Canberra's on about 420k so it wouldn't bee too much of an effort to break the barrier

As of 2011 Census the larger region comprising the ACT and the Southern Inland RDA and the Far South Coast RDA had a population of 750k and was growing by about 10k pa.

Agree. It would be great if Capital football and Southern Branch FNSW had a merger

I'd like to see an established club with a good history get in. Even someone like Auckland City. The NZ derby would be great to watch , other teams I'd include would possibly be a club from Canberra , South Melbourne, a Brisbane team, or perhaps even Lions XIII

I wouldn't include South Coast, Shoalhaven or Southern Highlands in the merger but the rest of Southern Branch and the inland associations west of the ACT should merge in to one region.

Well either that or a rep team in NPLNSW. Get the whole community behind one team at a higher standard.

Edited by tbitm: 12/8/2015 11:07:38 PM

Indeed, what Gyfox says. There's some 'currency' too, or 'Zing', I guess, in utilising 'Canberra' and even the name 'Capital Football'? The same that comes when naming after a town, rather than a vaguer region - there are exceptions to that, but being from 'Canberra Town' and 'The Capital' (Please don't mistake me, please no WNBL-like 'Canberra Capitals' name! :o :p) that has some greater weight and possibly traction in drawing that local and regional support. And interestingly, perhaps even with those wider surrounds as you guys suggest.

If we talk in-terms of Canberra as a service area too - many regional folks from surrounding areas would travel to Canberra for a number of services that only a city of half a million would provide, especially if Sydney is a bit further or not necessary, for that service.

Also, no reason why both Canberra/ACT+Surrounds region AND South Coast region can't support future A-League franchises. It may make for a congested, more NSW-centric A-League, but that could be balanced with a couple more Queensland teams and possibly a Geelong team. And tbh, that's where the people are and too, the strong football markets (Heartlands)!

Edited by GloryPerth: 13/8/2015 02:47:07 AM

Why does the club need a geographical name at all? (Sure for marketing)

But Celtic and Rangers don't geography in their names for example


Donkey FC

Scott21, do you remember the FFA in regards to the North Queensland Fury, when they initially proposed 'Northern Fury'...

But I agree with the FFA on that and like I suggested, there is benefit to establishing your base and the fans at the WSW forums made that loud and clear that they demanded that 'West' be in the name, rather than the failed '(too)broad-based approach' of the 'Sydney' Rovers bid. If anything WSW proves that people want that tapping into history and heritage, that kind of narrative or heart - not necessarily an old club, like the NSL or NPL ones, but tapping into the local football heritage and local tradition of the town and area. Calling the team 'Southern' this or even 'ACT' would be a mistake - Canberra has cache to it, it strikes a cord I think and that was reflected in the A-League4Canberra bid I think. People rally around their Canberra bid, 'a team for their town' and others in the surrounds will follow suit, especially if Canberra is 'their local town' too for reasons like I said, the local city and service centre. So calling the team Canberra won't necessarily isolate or disconnect from folks from surrounding regions - if anything it may engage them more, as they already use or interact with Canberra in their lives through work or routine trips. Most from the relevant region will well understand them as the 'Southern Region-ish Team' even if it's called just 'Canberra ....' so that's a given too.

It's case-by-case, depending on how a region identifies itself, the local culture etc... but generally I think it's clear punters don't prefer vague, wishy washy, generic names which could be identifying a team from Timbuktu for all we know. 'Northern This' (Northern Fury name idea), 'South That' (Southern Dragons in NBL) doesn't strike a cord with anybody and no wonder they don't last! FTR Scott21, it's likely the marketing companies who come up with those wishy washy names that lack the distinct geographical senses of place, indeed there was a marketing guru or two behind that failed 'Sydney Rovers' bid! Rest my case!

Edited by GloryPerth: 13/8/2015 03:16:40 AM

Canberra FC is taken, I can't see them giving up the name like Melbourne City.

Perhaps Canberra SC "the greens"

I'm not a fan of using nicknames in the official names

Was always a fan of the Canberra Athletic name that has been mentioned on here in in the past, and because the AIS is based out of there it does have some historical meaning.

Colours is an interesting one though, Canberra is only green because of the Raiders, the actual state flag is blue and yellow.




Edited by gul15: 13/8/2015 08:08:56 AM

Edited by gul15: 13/8/2015 08:09:17 AM

We will never expand under gallop. Its not about population size its about playing safe with his job.

Just call them Canberra United if they are serious (the FFA under the whole of football plan) to be a ONE CLUB MODEL for all.

Just need to bring back the Central Coast W-League side.

Anyone know of any further developments for a proper looking rectangular stadium for Canberra.

unfortunately I can't see the A-League going beyond a maximum of 12 teams in its current state.

Too many other serious issues are developing.

the issues with the PFA and the A-league ownership model needs addressing before any possible expansion of another two teams.

Once again the Geelong Council is pushing hard for football facilities and what not to service the booming playing population. FFA - stand up and take notice!

wonder if tuggeranong would get behind a joint a-league bid between multiple capital npl clubs. their colours would suit a canberra club. Canberra Athletic would be the best sounding name for a canberra team.

Rumour Mill

Awesome to hear! Good stuff :)

http://digitalzoo.net.au/canberraunited/index.php











great looking logo and kit. if only it was real

Edited by heyitsrobbie: 14/8/2015 06:30:18 PM

Nice logo, but why green?

The colours of blue, gold and white were chosen for good reasons. Blue and white are the livery colours of the City (shown by the wreath above the shield on the Canberra City Coat of Arms), while blue and gold are the traditional sporting colours of the ACT and were taken from the national blue and gold appearing on the wreath of the Australian Coat of Arms. The choice of colours maintains existing traditions, reflects a link with national history and preserves heraldic tradition and practice.