Whenever Canberra is mentioned, there are a lot of naysayers, pointing out the rubbish crowds that the Cosmos got.

But Wollongong seem to be immune from this criticism for some reason. Certainly here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003%E2%80%9304_National_Soccer_League their crowds were low - lower than Glory, Adelaide Utd, South Melbourne and probably even Sydney Utd and Newcastle (can't be bothered calculating the average for the season).

Nix might be out as soon as 2016 anyways.

-PB

I enjoyed a great evening of football at WIN Stadium last night.

Two very competitive teams playing attractive football, good atmosphere and a near capacity crowd (and Wolves record) of 11,201 - and a late winner to the home side - what more could a football fan ask for?

I joined the thousands on foot traversing neighbouring and not so nearby streets - headed to Wollongong's biggest home game of the season.

The evening was fine and the sea breeze, such a feature of my previous visit to the then Wollongong Showground in 1981 (with fellow listee Warren Green) - when we watched Wollongong City debut in the NSL against Sydney Olympic - was calmed in anticipation of a greater occasion ahead.

I spilt, like a nut in a sea of assorted delicasies through the Hill turnstyle and down a covered area, to emerge in front of a gathering array adorning the Hill's 45 degree slope.

Up above, perched in a lookout tower that could have been borrowed from a cut-price Stalag 13, was Mike Cockerill and his crew with C7 cameras - preparing with their backs to the sea wall just metres behind them, and anticipating a backs-to-the-wall performance from South Melbourne - just minutes ahead.

I strode amongst many black leather jackets - of seemingly Macedonian or Italian parentage, duffle coats and sloppy joes of Anglo and of Australian heritage - the 'Gong of today. Most were under forty and about 85% male.

I took up position at the back of the main Hill at the halfway line, standing to my full 191cm (6ft 3.5") enabling me to see over all in front - consequently blocking any on the Concourse behind.

After a few minutes I was joined by a near mirror image in height. We must have be doing our own mental comparisons, for we looked at each other and acknowledged the advantage our stature provides.

I asked if he was a regular, and he told me he had watched football in Wollongong and elsewhere since 1963. I mentally apologised for seeming to turn this into an episode from 'Tales from the Urinal' but proffered 1961 as my initiation into our addiction.

As the evening's spectacle played out before us, we traversed the years, only to marvel at the occasions we had unknowingly shared: WC v Iran (Sportsground, 1973); attack on Baartz's (v Uruguay, SCG also 1973); the Centenary game v England (SCG, 1980); The 'Gong's debut in the NSL... and so it went on, just like two war veterans reliving their battles.

He spoke of his German father, and I of my Germanic surname. I introduced myself. He smiled, then laughed. "Holz", he said, "Gunnar Holz."

Gunnar, it turns out is a 47year old (3 years my senior) Superintendant of the Power Station at the Port Kembla Steelworks. His team broke, time and again, with the speed and precision of molten metal, flung from the furnace that is the broiling heart of the Wolves deep midfield, tempered by hours of practise and now years of success.

It had the hypnotic attraction of a volcanic explosion - its speed, accuracy and devasting effect made it just beautiful to watch - which the opposition did to its peril. No other NSL team can play this way.

South Melbourne, needed all their short passing, great close control, possession play and twisting and turning, to worm their way back after falling behind.

The 200 South fans, who had shown admirable control in remaining perfectly silent during a minute tribute to a just deceased Wolves stalwart, exploded into temporary life when Boutsi scored to equalise.

Their only other memorable contribution was two flares thrown from their midst, to significant derision from the locals.

The sea change anticipated from halftime seemed to eventuate as the Wolves searched in vain for the ball, being sheltered from their grasp by an increasingly confident visitor. But then came David, David Cervinski, to face the Goliath that was the NSL Minor Premier.

Cervinski arose - and all did quake before him. He became a giant among his fellow Wolves defenders, stopping the South advance in its tracks and delivering passes with the accuracy of a slingshot (yes, I know what you are thinking, but I did see them with my own eyes).

He and Horsley lifted the Wolves to another level and they started to take control once more - the tide had turned. A deserved penalty brought victory, and a week more shall tell us whether Souths can keep the Wolf from the Grand Final's door.

Gunnar watched all this in what I am sure is his usual quiet, reserved style - but there were moments when I could see the excitement was getting to him. He would look at me with a big smile, stretch forward to glimpse a corner, or seem to (almost imperceptibly) bop to the rhythm of the nearby Wolves samba drum beat.

As fulltime on a costal night sucked the assorted throng from Win Stadium like a vaccum cleaner cleans up after a wild party, I turned to Gunnar and said "It is on evenings like this one, big crowds, atmosphere, great football, that I realise why I love this game so much!"

Gunnar looked at me and smiled, then nodded - he didn't have to say anything - but I know we'll meet again, some football day...

http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/20002001/reports/report087.html

Whenever Canberra is mentioned, there are a lot of naysayers, pointing out the rubbish crowds that the Cosmos got.

But Wollongong seem to be immune from this criticism for some reason. Certainly here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003%E2%80%9304_National_Soccer_League their crowds were low - lower than Glory, Adelaide Utd, South Melbourne and probably even Sydney Utd and Newcastle (can't be bothered calculating the average for the season).

We are f*kn [size=6]retarted[/size] if we don't at least start putting pressure on to get going down there.

Sorry I need to add to that - in 2001-02 when the Wolves won their second title, they did crack 11k in the semi-final - here's a story from someone that was there;

I think you'll find it was 2000/2001 ;)

Good read and video nonetheless. :)

I even remember typing it and thinking oh I need to go and change that :lol: my bad. Seriously, I know you're biased cause you're from? live in? wollongong, but how good would Wollongong away be [-o<

But ironically Adelaide United, Newcastle Jets and Perth Glory have all gone down in attendances since the A-League started.

the FFA need to

1. Get the govt to provide funds to build this base in west dapto first:
http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/1612429/south-coast-football-seeking-a-fair-go-on-funds/
2. Sell of the Wanderers so they have some funds
3. Bring in a marquee man (a local) like Luke Wilkshit or Cahill is local enough (Livepool..)

Don't tell TSF :-$

Haven't WSW proved to us that if you play at a decent football ground, ask the people what colors, badge and culture they want then give it to them, have a well organised active support and get a decent squad of players with a local touch plus the coach they most want, and a marquee man that is still fit and can deliver whilst being a local hero (Shinji, find the new equivalent) you will be successful? Wollongong can have all of that, plus the trump card that they have a legacy of 2 championships and 24 years of previous national level football. Instant success!

In just 14 months, Lysaghts Oval has been transformed from a "totally derelict" site to a ground that will be the envy of the Illawarra Coal Cup.

The work has been done by Collegians Rugby League Club, which bought the site in November 2011 for $2.2 million.

The Figtree site had a chequered history. Mooted a decade ago as the home ground of the then Wollongong Wolves soccer team, after it was evicted from Brandon Park to make way for the Innovation Campus, the ground was never completed despite a $3 million government grant.

The NSW government considered legal action against the key players and also Wollongong City Council, which was trustee of the grant, but opted not to pursue the matter in July last year.

From all accounts the Tasmanian proposals have been the most attractive submitted to date, with both Government and business support.

I want a truly national footprint - with Football at least the number 2 football code in each market. This is not just a symbolic reason (i.e. a code that all Australia follows) but also an important marketing reason. Why advertise during AFL shows in Qld or NSW. No one watches. Similarly why advertise during NRL shows in Vic, SA, WA or Tas.

I think the next two will be Canberra and South Coast. They will add value because of their proximity to a number of other clubs and the potential of easy travel. Canberra also starts towards my aim of a truly national footprint.

I see Tasmania as continuing towards that aim and having the only football code with a state team won't hurt its potential. However I would bring in Auckland with them because of the larger population base. It also means there can be a game in NZ each week which will help in TV scheduling. Another NZ qualification for the World Cup also wouldn't hurt to promote more interest in NZ. [-o<

I'd be inclined to include all 4 at the next TV deal. A 26 round true home and away season followed by finals, allowing for FIFA dates and FFA cup could see the season run from October through to late May.

The final 2 may be a few more years after that.

I love how people can say shit like this about Canberra and Wollongong, but ridicule supporters of the best supported club in the NSL for saying the same...

I love how people can say shit like this about Canberra and Wollongong, but ridicule supporters of the best supported club in the NSL for saying the same...

Is St Goerge Stadium close to the train?

Yeah it's 2km, not all that far.

According to wiki, the Saints are going to start using it again.

Might I add, on something unrelated to St George stadium, WIN Stadium looked excellent yesterday for Sydney's NYL & W-League sides.