NEW Perth Glory sole-owner Tony Sage says he still intends to bring an international fixture to WA, despite the State Government's lack of support.

After Sage announced co-owner Brett McKeon had walked away from the club, giving him full ownership, the mining magnate said he was endeavouring to bring either an Australia international match or English Premier League side Everton to Perth.

But Sage said it was a move that had gathered little support from the State Government, despite the match's potential to draw a large crowd.

The new sole-owner said he hoped a new board at Perth Glory would be able to swing the government's stance.

"The state government made it very clear that they don't want it. They had a chance - through Events Corp - to host an Australian game (but didn't)," Sage said.

"An Australian game hasn't been played here for a long time. The FFA wants an Australian game to be played here, Football West wants an Australian game to played here, Perth Glory wants a game here - even if it's only with the A-League stars in the Asian championships.

"But for some reason there's been a block by the state government of football."

Sage said he intended to push on with plans to bring an international match to Perth - even if initial costs came out of his own pocket.

"To the extent of the Everton game - it will be myself and one other party that will underwrite that whole amount. The government doesn't seem to be interested," Sage said.

"But we just have to keep chipping away and hopefully, with the relationships the new board members have with the government and media, we can push through that barrier and get the support.

"I'm willing to do it, because I think there'll be 20,000-30,000 people that will want to see Everton."

And Sage said had already put pen-to-paper with Everton.

"The sticking point seems to be the team on the eastern side of Australia," the owner said.

"It's not financially viable for Everton to come just to Perth. They made that clear, I made that clear, and we're just waiting for that to be set up.

"We've met every term that Everton put to us, so we've signed off on a deal, subject to them getting that other game.

"They've already had approaches (from other Australian clubs), so we've left it up to them to discuss it with those clubs."

Sage denied knowing which Australian clubs had spoken to the English side.

Toffees to go for Glory on Aussie tour
Everton will play a pre-season friendly against Perth Glory if the Premier League side can organise a second match in Australia, the A-League club have announced.


Glory owner Tony Sage said the club was in the advance stages of confirming a match with the Toffees, who could include Australia international Tim Cahill in their line-up for what would be a friendly encounter ahead of the Premier League season starting in August.

However Everton want to play two practice matches in Australia, leaving the Glory relying on another game to be organised.

"We're hopeful it will (happen)," Sage said. "We met every term Everton put to us, so we've signed on to the deal, subject to them getting another game.

"We had a couple of emails today and again, the sticking point seems to be the teams on the eastern side of Australia.

"It's not financially viable for Everton to come just to Perth. They made that clear to everyone, so we're just waiting on that fixture to be set up."

Glory owner Tony Sage said the club is in the advance stages of confirming a match with David Moyes's side, who could include Australia international Tim Cahill in their line-up for a friendly encounter ahead of the 2009/10 Premier League season starting in August.

However, Everton want to play two practice matches in Australia

Hey guys, who was the glory player to come to blows with harnwell after the 0-0 draw with Adelaide a few seasons back?

Fine by me :-"
I think you'd get Coyne back but not Mile. He seems settled because of Clough.

KEEP CHELSEA DAGGER.

I personally hate melbourne the most, is that a rivalry or just dislike ?
i like the idea of a seperate section for supporter threads.
Do u reckon we could get Chris Coyne back next season ?
hed be a massive coup.

Oh awesome news that Neville and Griffiths and the others have been offered first team contracts their all impressive players.
KEEP CHELSEA DAGGER.
all the younger people love it.

Hopefully I'll be able to get tickets and I'd hope they're playing it at MES.

Glory blow as co-owner walks away

18th February 2009, 11:00 WST

Perth Glory have suffered a major off-field blow with the loss of a second member of the ownership group in as many years, leaving Tony Sage as the sole owner of the A-League club.

Brett McKeon, who combined with Sage and John Spence to purchase Perth’s A-League license from Football Federation Australia in February 2007, has followed Spence out the door.

Sage will continue as the sole owner of the club for the foreseeable future after buying McKeon’s shareholding for an undisclosed amount.

Sage will not seek a new ownership partner, but described McKeon’s move as a “shock decision”.

McKeon will remain with the club as a director and will seek to assist in corporate affairs and bringing on board more sponsorship.

Estimated to be worth $29million, McKeon, who says he remains passionate about Perth Glory, blamed the current economic climate as a key reason for leaving the club.

He also described a poor relationship with FFA and the governing body’s lack of understanding in a statement released this morning.

“Perth’s cost of running a club is significantly higher than our eastern seaboard counterparts and unfortunately this fact seems lost on the FFA,” McKeon said.

Despite admitting that the financial commitment would be somewhat “difficult”, Sage reiterated his commitment to the club and its fans.

“I’m putting my full resources into whatever the football department wants so we can get to the top six next year,” Sage said.

Perth coach Dave Mitchell is continuing in his pursuit of several overseas-based players, with WA product Chris Coyne and Socceroo Mile Sterjovski heading the list.

PERTH
SHAYNE HOPE

Glory blow as co-owner walks away

18th February 2009, 11:00 WST

Perth Glory have suffered a major off-field blow with the loss of a second member of the ownership group in as many years.

Brett McKeon, who combined with Tony Sage and John Spence to purchase Perth’s A-League licence from Football Federation Australia in February 2007, has followed Spence out the door.

Sage will continue as the sole owner of the club for the foreseeable future.

More to come…

PERTH
SHAYNE HOPE

Perth Glory call conference for 'major announcement'
PERTH Glory are expected to announce Wednesday morning that English side Everton will travel to WA for a pre-season friendly at Members Equity Stadium.

Glory said it had agreed on the terms that would bring the English Premier League side to Perth but that a requirement was for one more Australian club to arrange a match with the touring side.

But the WA club on Tuesday called a media conference, trumpeting plans for a "major announcement".

Glory co-chairman Tony Sage is the only declared speaker for the Wednesday morning statement.

The club has refused to comment on the intended announcement, but it is not believed to be related to a sponsorship deal and, in previous cases, Glory has used coach Dave Mitchell to address the media on personnel issues.

The media conference scheduled for 10.30am, Perth time.

Glory press release:

MAJOR CLUB ANNOUNCEMENT

Perth Glory Co-Chairman Mr Tony Sage will make a major announcement at a press conference tomorrow at Members Equity Stadium. Media are encouraged to attend this significant event.



I seriously hope this means we've managed to organise the Everton match.

Glory's sights on Cahill
Perth Glory owner Tony Sage should know by tomorrow if WA soccer fans will get a first-hand look at Everton and their Socceroos ace Tim Cahill in a pre-season friendly in July.

A match at Members Equity Stadium is hinging on whether the Premier League side can finalise a deal to play another fixture in the state.

"We've sent the documentatioon and it's been approved. There's just the other club to secure," said Sage.

Cahill, currently Australian soccer's biggest star, was on target again for his club as Everton beat Aston Villa 3-1 yesterday morning (WST) to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals.

Perth Youth finish in Glory
Perth Glory’s Youth side has completed their season with a convincing 4-0 win against Newcastle at home on Saturday evening to secure a fourth place finish in the inaugural competition.

A second half double from skipper Andrija Jukic and goals to Reece Vittiglia and Ludovic Boi gave coach Gareth Naven the attacking edge he had been looking for in the final match of the season.

“It was a great way to finish the season,” Coach Gareth Naven said.

“We controlled the tempo and made the most of our chances which was pleasing. It’s great for these young men who have put in so much effort throughout the season to be rewarded with a good win,” Naven added.

Glory started like a rocket and opened the scoring through Vittiglia in just the fourth minute and seemed destined to put several more past the Jets keeper with the lion’s share of possession however they could not turn their monopoly into scoreboard pressure.

Naven has lamented his side’s inability to turn positive set-ups into goals and with his side holding just a single goal lead Newcastle were still right in the match at the half.

The second period however was a different story, the Glory’s domination turning into goals.

Three minutes after the restart Boi capped off a great run to fired home and double Perth’s advantage before Jukic stepped up with two goals, and came within a whisker of nabbing his second hat trick of the season.

The talented midfielder’s double was enough to secure the Golden Boot award with six goals for the season, one more than team mate Anthony Skorich who missed the match with an ankle strain.

On an overcast and pleasant afternoon for football in Perth, Vittiglia ignited the contest in the fourth minute. There appeared little danger as he took the ball well into his own half, but he accelerated down the right before cutting inside and storming into goal, sending a low shot past Jets' stopper Ben Kennedy.

Further chances to Vittiglia and Jukic came and went before Newcastle threatened for the first time with Brodie Mooy's high cross getting caught in a swirling breeze making it difficult for Glory 'keeper Dejan Aleksic. The youngster grabbed the ball but crashed into the upright, allowing it to spill in front of goal however defender Steve Hesketh was on hand to clear the danger.

Newcastle crafted a couple of further opportunities in their best spell of the match however Aleksic was more than up to the challenge of repelling their advances and it didn’t take long for Perth to once again take control of the contest.

Boi and Ryan Pearson both had good chances to add to Perth's lead in the 28th minute as they found themselves through on goal, but Kennedy did well to smother their efforts. The Jets custodian was then forced to keep out several more attempts on target before the half time whistle gave the visitors some respite.

Newcastle’s resistance though was crushed when the tenacious play of Boi netted a much deserved goal after the restart to open the floodgates. Precise passing led to the Glory’s next goal with midfielder Hayden Doyle releasing Jukic on the left who then skilfully cut inside to finish with aplomb.

Jukic was put through again a short time later but was denied by a Kennedy smother however his forays forward were rewarded 12 minutes from time when he beat the keeper to slip the ball into the bottom of the net.

“We’ve seen the continued development of these players and it has been a terrific experience for everyone involved with Perth Glory’s National Youth League set-up,” Naven said.

“It is clear we have some outstanding talent coming through in Western Australia and to be able to expose them to the next step in their career has been a great opportunity. I’m looking forward to seeing them take these experiences and continue to develop into the future.”

National Youth League Rd 21

Perth Glory 4 (Reece VITTIGLIA 4’, Ludovic BOI 48’, Andrija JUKIC 60’/78’)
Newcastle Jets 0
Saturday 14 February at BGC Stadium - Dorrien Gardens

Referee: Steven Gregory
Assistant Referees: Josh Mannella, Josh Mihevc
Fourth Official: Troy Miller

Perth Glory: 1.Dejan ALEKSIC (gk) (40.Alex PEARSON (gk) 60’), 2.Ryan PEARSON, 3.Steven HESKETH, 5.Josh RISDON (4.Liam HARVEY 60’), 6.Dean EVANS, 8.Howard FONDYKE, 9.Hayden DOYLE, 11.Ludovic BOI, 12. Reece VITTIGLIA (10.Adam LUCA 60’), 13.Andrija JUKIC, 14.Cameron EDWARDS (7.Jack CLISBY 60’).

Substitutes not used: Nil.
Yellow cards: Nil.
Red Cards: Nil.

Newcastle Jets: 1.Ben KENNEDY (gk), 3.Simon MOONEY, 4.Jon GRIFFITHS, 6.Taylor REGAN, 7.Jarrad ROSS, 8.Matt HARPER (13.Joel WITHERDIN 55’), 9.Brodie MOOY, 10.Jacob PEPPER, 11.James VIRGILI, 12.Matthew COMERFORD (5.Harry MAGUIRE 45’), 15.Ben MARTIN,

Substitutes not used: Nil.
Yellow cards: Brodie MOOY 89’, Jarrad ROSS 90+2’.
Red Cards: Nil.

Ditto the "Bound for Glory", not to mention can we also kick out the useless ground MC who can't pronounce names correctly.

:p

Good call on Muscat, his tackle on Dadi was a little harsh!

Is it just me or is everyone really excited for next season. I was listening to my music today and heard Chelsea Dagger and it all kicked in:

- 10 Team Comp.
- 27 Round Season
- 14 HOME GAMES! = me going crazy more often
- Perth Glory vs. Everton Friendly (Rumour)
- Mile Sterjovski and Chris Coyne playing for the Glory (also rumour)
- Culina, Fowler, Chipperfield playing for other teams
- Newcastle and Central Coast getting raped in the ACL!
- Chelsea Dagger playing every time Dadi smacks one in (especially against everton) during the season + finals (with 6 teams).

OMG next season, can't wait \:d/ . (its finally come together)

They would both be super signings if it happens.

Re: Players and clubs we hate. For clubs, I hate Sydney and Adelaide the most. I don't like Newcastle or Queensland much either. I'm surprised no-one has mentioned Muscat yet for most hated player. I still can't believe the he didn't get sent off against the Glory when we played them here.