The President may have got "the call" as he expected, and as we rightly predicted last week...

But don't be alarmed...

He doesn't seem to disturbed, nor distressed for that matter...

In fact, the President of Football NSW is actually going about his daily business...

He's asking all the right questions....

And gathering all the relevant documentation...

There is PLENTY which will be revealed in the coming weeks- and get set for some HUGE NEWS as well.

Jim Forrest has declared his cards- and he is officially staying in place- in place to help protect the democratic rights of Football NSW's Members to control their OWN DESTINY- free of any external takeover- and so he should.

The phone calls from 'upstairs' have started.

Next we all expect will be "the orders".

But they should be very careful what they ask for.

For it will surely be an absolute waste of time.

For you see, there are many many 'little secrets' that are no longer secret- and ones which will rapidly turn the spotlight and focus to somewhere else altogether...

Those who have been 'playing the game'- get ready for the real fun and fireworks to begin.

And who knows...

Maybe we could even have a different, fresh and new inquiry that will need to be conducted!

Now wouldn't THAT be something to look forward to.

Only weeks into 2011- and the year is already shaping up as an explosive one!


FFA DECIDES TO JOIN "THE PARTY"

Here folks is the official letter that the FFA has sent out to all Football NSW members.

It remains to be seen what response (if any) the members decide to take though...

"Dear Members of Football NSW,

May I firstly take the opportunity to wish you all a Happy New Year.

The year has got off to a very positive start for football – I have just returned from a

meeting of the Asian Football Confederation in Doha where Australia was awarded

the right to host the AFC 2015 Asian Cup. It promises to be a great event for football

in which NSW will naturally feature, not the least as the host of the final match of the

tournament.

I am writing to update you in relation to the independent Commission of Enquiry

appointed by the Board of Football NSW. As you know on 16 December Ian Holmes

and I wrote a joint note to you advising of Jim Forrest’s resignation effective 4

January 2011. Since that time, Mr Forrest has retracted his resignation, re-affirmed

it and again retracted it. He has now written to you advising he does not intend to

resign.

Following this development, FFA is working through the next steps to take in relation

to this matter. As previously advised, the Commission raised some very serious

issues relating to the governance and operations of FNSW and FFA has a real

responsibility, when faced with the findings and recommendations of the

Commission, to ensure these are addressed.

Accordingly I will shortly be writing to you to advise you of the proposed next steps

and to invite all members to a meeting at FFA to provide you with the opportunity to

ask questions and raise any concerns you may have.

In the meantime I would like to assure members that we are giving this matter the

very serious attention it deserves and will be working with FNSW to seek to ensure

that any uncertainty and disruption are kept to a minimum. As previously noted, we

also believe that this matter provides us all with an opportunity to identify reforms

that could be of benefit not just to FNSW, as our largest member, but to other state

federations and football generally".

Yours sincerely

Ben Buckley

Chief Executive Officer


JIM FORREST'S RESPONSE?

So what does Jim Forrest think of this FFA letter?

Here's what he wrote to all his Members:

"Dear Member,

I don't like continually responding to email letters from FFA, but it is necessary, this time because of a letter from FFA CEO Ben Buckley circulated yesterday.

I'd prefer to argue the issues rather than the person, except to say that I have changed my position a bit about any resignation, because the ground has kept changing. Partly this was because of misinformation provided by FFA, and partly the unauthorised distribution of the CoE report commissioned by FNSW, first to FFA and then to our members prior to consideration by FNSW of the considerable legal ramifications of the report on those adversely named.

But to focus on the main issue, the only proper way forward is for the Members of Football NSW to themselves meet and determine how to deal with any important matters raised by the report. It is your state body, not FFA's. Any independent reviews that may be required are best set up by our Members themselves, in cooperation with FFA in the case of any constitutional change because that involves other states. FFA's idea that they should take over control of the FNSW Board is not in the least helpful because it would, in itself, achieve nothing except to remove Members' control of their state federation.

The agenda for the postponed AGM cannot be changed, so any recommendation from any reviews must post-date our AGM, whenever it is held. The postponed AGM and elections must now go ahead, sooner rather than later. There is nothing to be gained by any further delay.

I have been advised that a call for a special General Meeting of FNSW Members has been lodged today, with motions to reinstate the AGM and elections, to set up independent reviews in major areas of concern such as Riverstone and insurance, and to have an ordinary General Meeting after the AGM to fill any elected positions on the Board still outstanding after the AGM.

I welcome this call for a special General Meeting which is clearly aimed at reclaiming Football NSW for and by our Members. That is certainly my major concern as President of our state body and the reason why I have decided to remain in office until the AGM and elections are held. This must happen before the end of March and I would expect much sooner".

THIS IS GOING TO BE FUN!

All I will add to all this is...

Gee the next couple of weeks are going to be fun and extremely explosive.

I hope everyone is ready for it!

http://www.therealgame.com.au/blogs/lucky-laki/13/president-gets-the-call

As long as he's sure.

To whom does he resign to anyway, the FFA or FNSW? Without getting into the politics of situation it does seem poor that he is allowed to act like this...and even moreso it reflects poorly on the people allowing him act like this.

So Joffa your supporting the ffa to come in and kick out the members?

Maybe we should all leave football so frank can play by himself in the east and well see how much the ffa like thats

likes call every team:

Frank United
Frank Roar
Frank Mariners
Frank Glory
FRANK VICOTRY

and so on.

Is that what you want?

ultragirl, I didn't say that at all, in fact I quite clearly said my comment was not in regards to the politics but moreso in regards to his actions in the mentioned incidents.

Looking forward to it. Sounds similar to when Galati refused to resign from Soccer Australia. Just took a bit longer trhen expected that's all.

I would back Lowy over Forrest anyday.

Joffa, You should read it in it's entirety.

"I'd prefer to argue the issues rather than the person, except to say that I have changed my position a bit about any resignation, because the ground has kept changing. Partly this was because of misinformation provided by FFA, and partly the unauthorised distribution of the CoE report commissioned by FNSW, first to FFA and then to our members prior to consideration by FNSW of the considerable legal ramifications of the report on those adversely named."

He is saying FFA are spreading BS.

It's very obvious FFA wants to get it's grubby fingers on FNSW cash reserves to piss up on the HAL because it's bleeding money and going down the drainhole. FFA have even slashed it's advertising budget by around 50%. This means that FFA are finding it tough and appear strapped for cash.

"I have been advised that a call for a special General Meeting of FNSW Members has been lodged today, with motions to reinstate the AGM and elections, to set up independent reviews in major areas of concern such as Riverstone and insurance"

The point Jim Makes about Riverstone is the proposed new state of the art football facility for FNSW members and FFA want to take that cash away from the NSW members and inject it into the failing HAL leaving FNSW members with outdated, undersized and deteriorating facilities. Control FNSW's finances. If that happens FNSW associations and other states will get milked stupid and watch their money go down the HAL drain instead of being able to re-invest in their own states infrastructure and communities.

When a person boils down the facts from fiction FNSW has been well managed by Jim Forrest and has cash reserves plus the vision to build the FNSW associations a state of the art football facility they rightly deserve. FFA have taken notice of this and their greedy little hands have been prepared to trash FNSW and destroy it anyway possible to get their hands on the booty. Says alot about the tossers running FFA.

I hope now that your eyes have been opened to FFA's real intent. If FFA take control of the individual states finances then grass roots will eventually be reduced to a 3rd world standard. The associations and indeed all other states need to stand up to FFA and tell them quite frankly to piss off and stand on your own two feet. As it is FFA are milking around 30% from the coffers of each states finances just like a cancer sucking the life out of the states.

Good on Jim for having the balls to stand up to FFA thuggery and doing the job for not only the members of FNSW but the forefront for the future of other states.

GO JIM!

Edited by Aussiesrus: 15/1/2011 07:01:02 AM

FNSW is a boil and boils need to be lanced
To lance a boil you first cut of the head.
Then you squeeze it till all the puss is out, hopefully other states will learn from this and
All the spiteful bastards who have held kids with talent back to foster their own positions will get what is coming to them.
Especially paul lonton.

It seems those saying FNSW is not good are all from the outside, none of them really know wtf is going on here, yet they feel they should comment.

Interesting to me proves the FFA BS over the last 6 years has got most of you good

Earlier this year young Panos was selected by AC Milan, whose Sydney based academy he attends, as the only non-Italian boy in the squad the club took to an annual international tournament for 11-year olds in Lisbon.

Panos was one of the stars of the tournament and rated the best player in the Rossoneri shirt.

When Panos was invited by FNSW as an inductee into Project 22 last year his father refused because he wasn’t satisfied that the content was in the best interests of his son’s development.

Recently it was pay-back time.

For the NSW selection trials for State representation at the national junior championships, invitations were automatic to all players who are members of Project 22, while special invitations went out to a handful of others who were outside the program.

Panos, according to all observers a piece of young footballing flesh of serious quality and maybe the best we have, was not invited. His father’s refusal to take part in Project 22 was remembered.

Is it any wonder that some parents contemplate steering their children to a career that will take them away from Australia and in to the embrace of other countries? In the case of Panos, the kid through his parentage would qualify to ultimately represent two other countries besides Australia.

It is an utter disgrace and an abuse of State federation power that flies against the broad interests of Australian football.

One can be critical of FFA and the way it runs and manages things. But one thing it cannot be accused of is being political.


This is especially so of the player development apparatus that has been set up by technical director Han Berger.


Thankfully it is highly likely that young Panos will be invited in to the National Skills Acquisition Program, the agenda Berger has created for elite player development across the country.

But who knows how many Panoses are out there who have been sidelined because their parents didn’t toe some party line imposed by the State federations and their power driven junior apparatchiks?

[quote]

http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/les-murray/blog/1037199/Time-to-dump-the-States

For this alone i would gladly sacrifice every state federation.
Not one talented kid no matter who he is or where he lives should ever be subjected to this form of abuse by the muppets that infest the state federations ie Paul Lonton.
I assume you agree with that. If the state federations had had the balls to clean out these spiteful bastards the FFA would not have to.


Although i don't live in the Middle East i have an opinion of the war there.

bro, the kid is 11 years old. its not like he was put to an altar and sacrificed lol

bro
Its not the crime it is the intent behind the crime and the maliciousness of it.
and Its not just this kid its all kids.

Edited by krones3: 15/1/2011 11:31:15 AM

krones3,

"When Panos was invited by FNSW as an inductee into Project 22 last year his father refused because he wasn’t satisfied that the content was in the best interests of his son’s development."

What part of the above didn't you read?...It clearly states his fathers stupidity and arrogance was the reason this kids future went no further.

Learn to read the facts and comprehend them before putting your foot in your mouth please.

Edited by Aussiesrus: 15/1/2011 12:30:11 PM

Did you not read the article i posted the link.

while special invitations went out to a handful of others who were outside the program.Why did he not get an invite.
I will tell you why spiteful malicious bastards that infest the state federations that’s why.
The inability to weed them out is why the state federations must go.
Ppl must be accountable for there decisions ie the lontons in the federations.

stupidity and arrogance
Or informed and educated decision based on the options he had and the information he was given.
He had a choice and made a decision. Why is that arrogant?

Because project 22 which young Panos was offered is the FNSW talent identification program for players with a future pathway to represent Australia in the FIFA 2022 world cup. Hence the name project 22. His father is being arrogant by thinking he knows better than the FNSW coaches and highly qualified instructors. That is why. In a nutshell the father has stuck his nose and thumb up at the people who do know better.

Put yourself in his fathers shoes. Surely if your son was offered this pathway you would grab it with both hands for your son. Let's say you might not think its in the best interest of your son but whatever has helped your son to become the player he is today can also be continued in addendum to the program. By taking this attitude you would be giving your son the best possible scenario's to succeed. He gets the best of both worlds. You with me here?

What is going to happen in the future with this lad? Are we going to see another Gulum situation where his father doesnt want him to play for Australia instead he will send him to represent Greece? What if Harry Kewell's dad said nope sorry I dont want Harry playing for Australia because I dont think its in Harry's best interest. What would you say then?

Well this is no different. His dad should be grateful for the opportunity and because his dad has refused this opportunity it has been handed to someone who does want it. What's unfair about that? It happens all the time.

I was offered a NSW Premier league football spot many years ago with a club that played both NSL and NSWPL. I decided not to take the position because quite simply I was offered a technology job that paid ten times the amount of being a footballer. One thing I would never do is flame that club. Instead I was grateful for the opportunity.

Fate has a funny way of dealing lifes cards. I may have never represented Australia in football but right now I am the sole respresentative for Australia on a global scale in my chosen field (And ranked 2nd best on the planet).

So don't worry too much about young Panos and the hype Les Murray has created about him for the purpose of media sensationalism. If he is as talented as some people think he is he will succeed in the future. If you look at the makeup of most Australian socceroo sides they carve a career overseas first before wearing the green and gold.

To be honest the young lad is only 10 years old. A lot can happen in the next 10 years and I hope it's very positive for him.

So put down the blind hate and blaming Jim Forrest and understand that Les Murray is having a media rant at FNSW's expense for political reasons. Les Murray should stick to reporting the news instead of butting his nose in political games.

Edited by Aussiesrus: 15/1/2011 02:57:37 PM

Not blind hate I blame him and all presidents of state feds for not weeding out the scum that do this to kids.
If a selector can stand in front of someone he is accountable to and declares that he chose the most tactically and technically efficient players from the ones he viewed then all is good.
If he fails to choose a player for a non football ability related issue then he should be sacked immediately.

I do understand where your coming from. I've seen the same thing happen to the kids and young adults from my generation. I've been around the football traps for many decades now. Pre-Jim Forrest days players like young Panos would never have been indentified in the first place and were culled for many reasons non football related. Football in my era was tribal and ethnic based. You'll just have to believe me that getting a gig as a player and not being of the same ethnic background as the clubs you trialled for meant you had two chances. Buckleys and none. It came to the point where players had very limited options and had to seek out same background clubs to even be half a chance, even if you ran rings around the players already in the side and scored all the goals. I've seen plenty do this and even today it still happens. It's a very evil dark side to football in this country.

You have to give Jim Forrest and FNSW the credit it deserves in indentifying and offering young Panos his chance. It was young Panos's dad that shot that down in flames. So let's put this whole thing in proper perspective.

I have no idea who Paul Lonton is (who is your main gripe) or his role in the matter so I cannot comment with respect to why you aim your arrows at him. But keep in mind FNSW is made up of many people doing a very good job. If you disagree with one of them and their views doesnt mean everyone in FNSW is rotten. It would be like me saying I don't agree with your views therefore your whole family have wrong views. You know that is not the right view to take.

If your going to shoot arrows hit your target and not everyone elses ;)

Edited by Aussiesrus: 15/1/2011 04:54:54 PM

Paul Lonton is just an example and my only problem with the president of FNSW and the other state federations is that it is there duty to seek out these people and deal with them.


I played for an ethnic club all be it a combined ethnic club and I never felt that.
The only issue I ever had was at an Anglo club (which is my background) and the often experienced father coaching his own son’s team. This issue has sadly not gone away in the past 30+years.

ppl who know me know.

I would gladly shoot arrows like English archers if it meant I got everyone out of the game who did not have the best interest of the game at heart.

Edited by krones3: 15/1/2011 06:34:41 PM

krones since frank lowy is in the game to build his brand westfields in asia, why are you not shooting arrows at him?

I don’t believe that is lowy's aim i think you miss read him, but if it is

I think building his brand in Asia will give more Australian coaches and player’s wider opportunities.

krones3,

I am trying to understand where your coming here. If you played for a club that is all combined then you played for a truly multicultural club. Australia is a multicultural society. So it sounds like the club was a good one. Fantastic.

As for the father coaching his sons team I've done that and the reason is because no-one wanted the job and my background playing experience. My wife and mum came home from training and told me I was the elected coach even though I wasnt present. Damn well pissed me off. I can tell you that year my son played less than any other player due to fear of precisely your issues. So don't think everyone is the same.

I would also shoot arrows if it meant cleaning up the game and opening the path for truly talented players. Then maybe we would win a world cup.

But put things in proper perspective. Call a spade a spade and give credit to those who are worthy of it. Otherwise you are as guilty as those you persecute. There are a lot of fantastic people working their butts off for NSW grass football. Don't let Les Murrays crap get the better of you. His job is to sensationalise the facts and it sounds like he has hit a nerve with you.