I thought it would be a good idea to bring it up, but i know money wont get thrown to football. Where the government throws all to the AFL(and cricket but mostly AFL)
2 Billion to AFL infrastructure and around 3-400 Million to Rectangular grounds and infrastructure (Including Training)

No harm done :d

I'd say most on here are aware of what the MLS has. But those with half a brain also know its simply not a realistic expectation anytime soon here.

Australian Football heavy hitter Bonita Mersiades joins Northern Fury's A-League push

THE Northern Fury's bold A-League ambitions have received a significant national boost after the appointment of high-profile football figure Bonita Mersiades.

Mersiades, a one-time head of corporate and public affairs for Football Federation Australia, was once regarded as one of the most powerful women in Australian sport.

With her Australia-wide contacts, Fury management believe they have taken a big step forward.

Mersiades will press Northern's case for future admission into the top-flight competition with local, state and federal governments as well as with the A-League's 10 current clubs.

"It's a stakeholder engagement role," she said of her position with the club.

"It's about selling that message, promoting that message, to people who are not here in North Queensland … that don't understand the spirit around the Northern Fury.

"It's important for key stakeholders in the game, whether they be FFA, A-League clubs, people in government or media in other parts of Australia, to understand the Fury means business.

"The Fury are here to stay."

Mersiades has a long history with the sport in Australia, including being the Socceroos' manager during the 1990s.

She was at FFA when the original Fury, known as North Queensland, were admitted to the A-League in 2009 and believes their 2011 axing was an "injustice".

It is a widely-shared consensus she believes can help the club's top-flight rebirth.

"There is this sense that they were hard done by and there is some unfinished business in respect of the Northern Fury," said Mersiades, controversially forced out of her FFA role in 2010.

"It's also important (for nat­ional interests) to understand the difference between North Queensland Fury back in 2008 and Northern Fury in 2013.

"This time it is building from the ground up, rather than just being imposed for other reasons."

After former A-League coach with the NQ Fury and Perth Glory Ian Ferguson was installed as coaching director, Mersiades' appointment is another sign that Northern are prepared to back up their ambitious talk by walking the walk.

The club has representative teams from under-12 through to National Premier League level.

By 2015-16 the Fury plan to have a team admitted to the National Youth League and the W-League a year later before making a push for their A-League return.

Mersiades said Northern was doing most things right for when FFA considered expansion.

"Among Australian Football there have been great people that have played the game from this area of the country and I think it's important for young kids, in particular, to have something to aspire to and Fury gives that," she said.

The Fury's proposed membership/ownership program will be released in the new year.

so how does this work, mariners need 3k to profit at north sydney oval, yet northern spirit were forced out of the ground due to excessive costs?

The problem with expanding to North queensland is the climate there at the time of the year, its cyclone season up there, and when there isnt a cyclone its hot and humid

Boo-hoo.

I like the Fury, and they seem to be on the right track.

My only problem with them is that I don't see them bringing a great deal to the league short-medium term, other than just being an ordinary regional team which doesn't really excite people. Good for longer term when the game should be in a much stronger position.

I think a Brisbane/Gold Coast/Ipswich triangle has better potential. Genuine local derbies where fans can actually travel away in numbers.

I think that might be the problem with most new teams when they start up. WSW is an exception, but any new licensees might face the problem of a slow start, like with Heart. Long-term though, I think all will be well. :)

Boo-hoo.

I like the Fury, and they seem to be on the right track.

My only problem with them is that I don't see them bringing a great deal to the league short-medium term, other than just being an ordinary regional team which doesn't really excite people. Good for longer term when the game should be in a much stronger position.

I think a Brisbane/Gold Coast/Ipswich triangle has better potential. Genuine local derbies where fans can actually travel away in numbers.

Gold Coast playing out of a smaller venue, with bigger games to be played at Skilled after growth.

Ipswich? You're having a laugh!

Northern Sydney player numbers

Manly-Warringah - 15k
Northern Suburbs - 15k
Gladesville - Hornsby 12.5k
North West Sydney Women - 2.4k

How about simply Southern Wolves then?

Ipswich? You're having a laugh!

I admit, that was my first thought too. But there have been some positive noises from Ipswich City Council. Significant govt support could make a bid more viable than you think.

So Ipswich Town F.C.

Wolves to A-League Cinderella club for direction
By MITCH COHEN Dec. 21, 2013, 3:11 a.m.

A community-based drive similar to the Western Sydney Wanderers is at the heart of the South Coast Wolves' plans for 2014, to increase support for the former NSL title winners.

After a forgettable 2013 season, the Wolves have begun to increase their profile inspired by the A-League's fairytale.

Members have joined community events including Football South Coast's Summer Football program and the Beach Soccer competition, Memory Walk and Jog for Alzheimers and Run for Wollongong.

South Coast Wolves president Bobby Mazevski said the club's community involvement includes plans in the works for programs with the University of Wollongong and William Campbell Foundation throughout next season.

It is hoped the campaign will eventually provide the basis for a push towards the region's end goal of a Wollongong-based A-League venture.

"It is a big community out here and we feel with some co-operation from Football South Coast, we can really tap into this and get this club moving and possibly at some point down the track push for an A-League spot," Mazevski said.

"I know that it is a long way away but why not have the Wolves back there.

"If we are ever going to have an A-League club I would love to see the Wolves be part of that."

While Mazevski acknowledged there would be some substantial financial hurdles to overcome before any moves could be made, he was adamant a community focus was the right path for the club.

"This is one of our big mottos for next year, we are really trying to engage the community," Mazevski said.

"We are sort of working off the same model as the Western Sydney Wanderers in some respects.

"A lot of work has been done outside with community events."

The community movement is intended to harness the region's massive football fan base.

"For us it is not just about being recognisable, but really getting people out there to support us," Mazevski said.

"We have got a lot of really mad soccer fanatics out there and we want to tap into that.

"We are already talking to a few people who want to start a little 'wolf den' style supporters group to create a little bit of atmosphere at home games."

The venue of those home games is still unknown with plans to play out of WIN Stadium still in the pipeline.

However, one key change to fixtures in 2014 has been established - with a planned move away from the Saturday night playing timeslot in favour of Sunday afternoon.

"We recognise that Saturday night is probably not the ideal time for many people. We want to get as many people out to games as possible," Mazevski said.

"We feel people should be coming to watch these sort of games so I guess part of that strategy is engaging the community and letting them know who we are, what we do and really inspire some people to really want to play for the club as well.

"But not just to play, to support."

should be called the wolfpack and not the wolf den

Must of missed that, will read later.

Question for sydney siders, how hard or easy is it for northern sydneysiders to get to Brookvale oval?

Edited by iridium1010: 21/12/2013 06:12:47 PM

Brookvale is probably the hardest NRL ground to get to for other Sydney siders, along with Leichhardt Oval. Both are not near train stations and require bus transport. Therefore, most people drive, and traffic and parking are a nightmare.

To be fair to Brookvale Oval, it's on a main road with at least 6 or 7 bus routes going through it, including 2-3 limited stops services to the City