Sadly, that wasn't how he left the game (on a winning note)

+2.

So no more announcements? I'm happy, more than content with the retirement...but coach announcement coming soon still? Did they say before an announcement would be coming within 7 days or only that it COULD be coming?

Now is the time not only for retirement but for Burns to move on so that Glory can too. Having him around the club will keep the questions about his undue influence with the owner and vested interests going.

Most of your post is fine, but the last paragraph I definitely disagree with.

Sorry, but if he wasn't so stubborn and didn't want to let go of a good thing then he'd have hung up the boots last season or before he renewed his contract.

He's lucky to have had half a season of good games over the 5 season with Glory and none of them in the last two. This season his only highlight was being made a martyr in the fiasco, keeping his place in the team and for what gain to Glory? He's now going to retire. Nah, his own selfishness has stunted the growth of BON at DM/CM, he could have played 6-8 games there instead of an aging hack 'leading by example' by getting himself constantly carded or sent off. He was also representative of a deplorable player group hat under-performed and the systematic favouritism shown by Sage ("we're not in the habit of changing captains mid-season".

All the best in future endeavours but I'm not going to remember his time at Glory fondly at all.

Anyway now that he is gone, Thwaite will be captain (as Ali recommended), they have a far better holding mid in Griffiths and Glory are on track to bring in a new coach. If that goes well there might now be a slimmer of optimism for next season.

We had 9 contracts to be filled for next season, at least 3 of them (Burns, Dodd, REdwards) will be new players.

On the subject of Dodd, if he released immediately or at end of season? Would think Sernas' contract ties in with all that.

They should make Burns work at the stadium catering, then he can spit in all your food and beers.

Indeed, this season was a terrible end and, rightly or wrongly, his central involvement in the drama kind of made him end, via perception, the self-destructive villain within of the piece, especially when Glory's season went from bad to worse. He kind of had little choice but to retire, in the end.

From the highs of winning the Marston Medal for that GF performance only a couple seasons ago, to now - I guess Burns known for his combative ways on the pitch and this season we caught, indirectly, snippets of his possibly combative ways off it too, so I guess that's one thing - he was never going to go out quietly, with a whimper, he's a 'fighter' through and through and he certainly went out, 'fighting' even if it involved a little 'in-fighting'. :/

His retirement is also a positive for the team, so in the end, he's done what's best for the team, going forward and makes the decision making for the next coaching regime that little bit easier, with also a cleaner slate to work with.

Boy, it's been big day for Glory, relatively speaking...

For lack of a better way of putting it - It's a progressive, if necessary and perhaps inevitable even, outcome - in terms of the needs of the this team, 'going forward'. It's well clear that having all these peaked and under/mixed performing veterans in the team, many of them now clearly beyond their best years, has not done the team much good and change is now needing to occur.

We wish both of them the best, though hate to say, but Dodd should've/could've stayed at AU on the reduced, single season deal they offered, some of us said at the time - could've retained the one-club legend status (Though he's still an AU legend) and ended with all the glory, prestige, dignity and honour, if even with far reduced playing time - at his hometown club. Instead he chased the money and a longer contract term but hindsight dictates AU were wise and we weren't as the proof is in the pudding and his most productive time here, infact only productive time, was indeed that first season - before the injuries kicked in and a majority of the rest of his contract was spent rehabilitating.

Let's hope Dodd is the end of an era for Glory - The Glory Retirement Home reputation to finally and ingloriously, come to and end.

BTW, Was the Burns news the major announcement some of you guys mentioned, that Glory hinted at last evening that was poised for today? :-k



A little bit harsh ATE, but well understandable. There was soo much stress this season, the internal leaking out to the external. We may not/never know the half of it, but he atleast goes out with some dignity - he's fallen on his sword, recognising his time is up. That's what is best for all, going forward.

Both he and Ryan Edwards leave and that's the end of that very sad chapter. Slate cleaned. His career and contributions to Glory may've been more than that and we will all remember and appreciate that too - but we also won't forget the inglorious, tumultuous end, in a season where we finished wooden spooners - even worse that it was nothing more than we deserved!

Good ole Cameron Edwards outlasts them all - the quiet Steve Bradbury of the bunch, they all fall over, but he slowly skates on and will hopefully continue to contribute well as a solid squaddie option next season under a new and vastly improved Glory outfit!

Edited by GloryPerth: 5/4/2014 03:32:20 AM

May as well put the next Member email on 'ere.
Gushed so much I can't understand our ladder position, as everything is great.

We have also seen many of our senior players stand tall during the hard and difficult periods during the season and whose experience and leadership has been invaluable.
etc, etc, etc.
I think I missed Ali Edwards name somewhere, so will have to re-read.


Dear Member,

With the 2013/14 A-League season coming to an end for Perth Glory, I have a very simple and clear message for all our players, coaches, fans and corporate partners, THANK-YOU.

Thank you all for your support toward Perth Glory this season.Your support has been greatly appreciated, it is never taken for granted and we will strive to reward your support next year with greater success both on and off the pitch.

To all the players that have worked hard in training and in our matches throughout the A-League season, thank you for all your efforts. It has, of course, been a very tough season with results clearly not going our way, however we have seen many of our younger players such as Jack Duncan, Danny De Silva, Matt Davies, Brandon O’Neil, Jack Clisby, Cameron Edwards, Ryan Edwards, Jaime MacLaren, Riley Woodcock and Chris Harold, to name a few, all performed strongly in our Hyundai A-League side this season and gained invaluable experience that will no doubt make them stronger for next season.

We have also seen many of our senior players stand tall during the hard and difficult periods during the season and whose experience and leadership has been invaluable.

Thank you, as well, to all who are involved in our football department and coaching staff, whose hours spent on the training pitch, in their preparation for match days and in their game day activities, continue to amaze me with their commitment and resolve to the Club.

This year we have of course gone through dramatic changes with our head coaching arrangements, which led to Kenny Lowe and Andy Ord assuming the Head Coach and Assistant Coach role on an interim basis in December 2013. Both deserve major recognition for stepping up and taking on such roles, under very difficult circumstances and for handling themselves with dignity under intense pressure from the media and for guiding the Club through to the end of this season.

The work that both have done behind the scenes in the football department and with all the players has been exceptional and sets the Club on the right course for next season. We will of course be shortly making the decision of a permanent Head Coach for the Club and whoever is selected will inherit an environment much the better for their involvement.

It is also important to recognise the significant contribution to the Club from those involved in our memberships, marketing, media, ticketing, community, events and administration team.

This year the Club has continued to achieve majorgrowth across a number of key areas including memberships to its highest ever levels, attendances at our highest levels in the A-League, corporate partnerships and merchandise sales to record levels and community programs far broader than ever achieved by Perth Glory and these results are indicative of the state of the Hyundai A-League and importantly football as a sport.

The Club is particularly proud of the work done through our community department with charities, schools and local clubs. As a result the Club’s is now in its strongest ever financial position and this can only enhance the football departments prospects next season and in the seasons ahead.

In addition a thanks must be given to our Advisory Board who have provided guidance over the past season, ensured adherence to strict corporate governance criteria and assisted in the many internal reviews that have been undertaken at the Club to make sure we move forward next season with strength, a clear direction and strategy.

To our major corporate partners, QBE Insurance Australia, LiveLighter, Healthways, Europcar, Clough Engineering, Harvey Fresh,ORH and OZ Eating, that continue to support the Club and the work we do both on and off the field, thank you.

Thanks too, to the many other corporate partners that support the Club and allow us to broaden our initiatives in the Western Australia football community.

Of course what makes football so unique in the Australian sporting landscape is its fans, the long serving and dedicated supporters and members of Perth Glory.

The fans, who despite one of the toughest seasons for the Club in the Hyundai A-League, continue to proudly wear the purple shirt, who stay the full 90 minutes, whose positivity is infectious, whose chants continue, even when the results stop, and whose faith in the Perth Glory Football Club remains.

It is those fans, supporters and members that I have saved one of the biggest thank you's for.

Those fans, who have in, record numbers this season, joined as members and like myself, Tony Sage, the players, coaches and staff all believe Perth Glory will come back bigger, better, stronger and more determined for season 2014/15.

For our members in the corporate suites, VIP boxes, platinum, Gold+, Gold, Glory 500, silver seats and those members in the Shed, your support has lifted and sustained the Club this season and over many seasons before that. With a record number of members this season and with a strong attendance forecast for our last home game of the season on Saturday, the Club will achieve its biggest seasons attendance since the A-League commenced and that is entirely down to the fans and members who continue to demonstrate their support for the Club.

Over the course of this season, the Club has made major strides in strengthening its relationship with its fans and members, and this will continue in to the off season and well into next season.

I believe we are now in the strongest position that we have ever been in and have the best opportunity in front of us for all members and fans to help shape the Club’s future and play a key role in helping the Perth Glory Football Club achieve success on and off the pitch.

Our members and fans are the ones who help define what this Club is, as custodians of this Club, we need to have all of you behind us as we start our preparations and planning for next season.

I hope the game on Saturday, the People’s Game, is truly that, a recognition of the strength and history of the local football community in Perth and an acknowledgment of the many local football dignitaries and volunteers who have given so much to our game in Western Australia.

I look forward to seeing many of you at our many National Premier League, FFA Cup and pre-season games during the winter months, when we will play many of the local football clubs and further strengthen our ties to Perth’s football community.

I also look forward to seeing you sign up as members for Perth Glory for the 2014/15 A-League season when we will be challenging for the championship and rewarding all our long serving and dedicated supporters and members.

Thank-you for your tireless commitment, which is the envy of every other club and remember....

NO GUTS NO GLORY!

Sincerely,
Jason Brewer

all I got from that was:

blah blah blahdie blah and "I believe we are now in the strongest position that we have ever been in".

If sitting stone cold last is all that, then Glory have got the wrong people for the job believe their own propaganda.



Apologies to anyone offended. I just wanted to emphasise the point.

Edited by hotrod: 5/4/2014 02:46:42 PM

Well some of you forebode that a late upturn in form/results from Glory, starting with the Jets game, 'may' turn the coaching selection process in 'incumbent'/interim coach Lowe's favour. Well now we've won 'two on the trot'. We still hope not - I hope we can find better quality than we've ever seen, or atleast Bernd Stange again (:p), but the fact he's still considered and the deception that can be these results - I really hope Bozza and co can provide the guiding light of wisdom, 'The Emperor Has No Clothes', that Sage, Brewer and co need to hear, rather than their own, ill-informed and even biased inclinations. Hopefully the candidates list provided the kind of quality that Glory desperately needs, the kind of tacticians and even characters that this evolving Glory team needs, going forward!

Edited by GloryPerth: 6/4/2014 01:24:58 AM

Really happy to be off the bottom, as long as it doesn't mean Lowe gets the job.

I heard Cranky Frankie is available or will be soon ...

No no, we need someone who will have us playing entertaining football, from the moment Farina took over Sydney went from being one of the most watchable in the comp to Glory level boring.

How did we get 11k tonight? Did I miss something?

4 positive crowd factors:
Final home game
Retirements and farewells
Special Kit on display
Last week was a surprise win

5 - free tickets given to junior clubs.

Free ticket were given last week too. so rule that one out.

If they were, nowhere near as many as last night. Our club was given 125 for last night and used them all.

Just thought id pop in and say congrats on your win against the Mariners.

We're all more concerned it might give Kenny the job.

Crowd size also surprised me.



Junior clubs also had players marching around the field at half time. I imagine each of those players probably had at least 1 parent in the crowd. That probably added a bit.

2 red cards in 5 years is hardly "constantly sent off"
(not disputing he picked up a lot of yellows, but he was smart enough to avoid getting that 2nd booking in a match)

he missed a lot of games from accumulation however

IMO, since the club started the charm offensive re: JB (about 4-5wks ago) (which was presumably and indication that JB himself finally realised the extent of the distrust/loathing for him), JB has put in a much bigger effort. More recently he has got more involved in attack and at times to good effect. However, one wonders why we didn't see that previously.

No, it doesn't. I didn't see the parade of people and kids teams last week, just Jason handing out thirty odd tickets at ECU.

True that, but that's not the same as being "constantly sent off"

Glad to be off the bottom, my wooden spoon obviously the inspiration.
Sydney 4 - 1 up over NZ so far, so at present Glory and NZ same points, but now a 4 goal difference.
Here we are now rollicking along in 8th spot.
Glory have the last game of the last fixtures, so by then they should know the exact position of what's required to avoid the spoon, if it hasn't already been won prior to them playing.
Although having said that, presenting opportunities and actually taking them is not a strong trait of Glory.

ok you are right 6,000 people turned up with free tickets, actually must have been more if last weeks crowd was also boosted by free tickets.

Anyone found odds on Kenny getting the the gig? Wouldn't mind a cheeky $50 on him to get a 2 year deal.