https://open.spotify.com/episode/5YdOm3SXBsprUVgNLrOzuq

Looking at the past couple of pages of this  thread I got to ask: Why is it do bedwetters and perl cluchers never remember THE A-LEAGUE STARTED OUT AS A KO TOURNAMENT ?

Actually i agree if it is just one season it is not the end of the world. If it is semi permanent that is an issue

Because, loser, it didn't.

A comp was put together to determine the ofc rep at the world club championship. 

It wasn't the a-league. It wasn't a pre season comp (but felt a bit that way).

I attended a match and nobody there thought they were at round 1 of the a-league. 

You are an absolute cock head.

We won't be playing six matches in a KO tournament. And I think a KO tournament of any length would be a complete waste of time (unless following a group stage).
They idea is to "level up" clubs. That won't happen by playing one match then out.
If we're stuck with Champions League for a year, there could be anywhere between 3 and 10 matches for each club.
As far as I'm aware, FA would pay for travel and accomodation, and those costs are similar in comparison to a 12 team league season (as we would be including Perth and possibly more clubs for the CL).
The real reduction with the CL model would be in other running costs for FA and the clubs for not having to run a full season of professional football (more like one-third of time for a CL).

Without club support, there's nothing. They've said no to group format. It's either a proper league or it's fallen over unfortunately 😕 

Yeah, I understand the stance. But why wouldn't they want to play the extra matches anyway? CL is still more prestigious than just NPL.
But really, let's just go ahead with the 8 clubs! Why isn't that on the table?

Thats a fair point however the bank guarantee was one of the criteria for selection... How "strong" each bid is/was is sort of besides the point... FA (in my opinion) has made the criteria and financials almost impossibly hard on clubs for a reason, the fact that 8 were able to stump up the guarantee (despite one, possibly two, now getting cold feet) is a testament to the seriousness of these clubs in wanting to drive change.... I believe this whole CL style bullshit being brought up now is a negotiating tactic because the clubs (at least the VIC ones) have made it quite clear they will be seeking financial damages if a true h/a comp as agreed to by all parties and signed off on last year doesn't go ahead. 

It also smells terribly like CFGs last "hurrah" in trying to keep control of Australian soccer... Its the hope that kills you but I still have faith the "good guys" will win in this.... lets wait and see.

For the same reason the NPL "Championship" was scrapped... The drive behind a second division is NOT TV content or 8 more matches, its to structure a WHOLE second tier of clubs, players, administrators, tech depts, fans, referees, etc etc etc ... APL just wants to make sure their NPL sides get included in a make believe Champions league because they cant afford a Youth league and they don't want the second division to EVER be established... 

I am hearing that 3 clubs have given their full support for a Champions league style tournament....   I am also hearing the reasons as to perhaps WHY they have now changed their minds.... It seems like lawyers at 10 paces is unavoidable now .... how sad :(

Full Pyramid Now

Fucking around with Band Aids hoping to appease everyone and getting nowhere 

YearafterYearafterYearafterYear

TBH the FA have supposedly negotiated a TV deal along with the Socceroos and Matildas including the NST. If at least the 8 original clubs can't commit then there will need to be a NST of some sort.

At the end of the day if it all falls apart I suspect the FA may end up running a National Youth League (under 23 plus comeback from injuries) of the ALM clubs as something will need to be delivered to the broadcaster.

What you mean by "impossibly hard"?

If they were to lessen the criteria, clubs would be going bust within months...

ALMOST impossibly hard :)  I agree, with you, including a financial element to the club licensing framework makes perfect sense.... It would have been a good idea for the Aleague franchises too btw. 

But wouldn't a FULL h/a National Youth league cost the FA the same as a NST? 

20 years on, apart from the mighty NZ Knights, each original club is still "alive". 

Yes  - it would but my understanding is that (some) NST teams are the one's wanting to back out of a full home and away - not the FA. The rest of the NST teams don't want a Champions League model. So if there is no agreement from the NST teams then the what does the FA deliver to the broadcaster? 

Well, if the Aleague clubs are willing to stump up a 1/2 million dollar "bond" and commit to paying players 12 months a year on professional wages, have ALL age group teams for both women and men, with a TD and full time admin, AND a winter broadcast ready pitch with lights and dual purpose changerooms then that's a fair enough call I suppose? Or are we NOT going to compare apples to apples?

Sorry not having a go at you, I just dont see what the FA end game is here with this CL malarkey. If indeed it IS the FA's position and not just outside resistance.

No problem. Just not sure what to believe. Except that now is the chance to get it up and everyone (of the first 8) knew what they were committing to. If they can't go forward what should the FA do?

Yeah I hear ya... Its VERY frustrating.... Australian soccer... its the hope that kills you I suppose :(

the very sad thing is Football in Australia cannot generate enough revenue or support to operate the way many want it to operate.

IMO the even sadder thing thing is so many people believe the answer is both simple and easy to do.... there is no simple solution never has been.... the belief that their is this magical solution out there IMO stops other thoughts and ideas.

I'd try a simple solution first

Full Pyramid

Every Decision at Every Club can be then based on a solid Structure where Every Club can find their own level 

Correct. However there is probably a bunch of difficult and complex solutions. The type of solutions that require long term planning and commitment. Sometimes the correct solution to a problem is the complex difficult one. This is especially the case when budgets are on the low side and you can't just through bags of money at the problem.

Have a self sustainable stable 1st Division before even thinking about a 2nd Division.

Doomed from the outset. 

1st Tier has been going 20 years, how long does it need to 'self sustain' ?

All the NST applicants have 'self sustained' for longer than 20 years, why can't they be thought about ?

Yeah I mentioned that above, the idea is to "level up" clubs, not play a knockout. But if EACH club could play 3-10 extra matches at a better national level for one year, why not? It's better than nothing and better than just NPL.

I want a proper league, but if even the clubs can't agree with each other then we're a bit screwed. At least find a middle ground for a season. I'm not surprised they're threatening each other with legal after agreement, but hopefully there's a peaceful outcome instead. Unbelievably frustrating.

And reserves/youth teams should not be on planes, absolutely no need. APL should not be looking at that.

thanks you are obviously right... its so simple... no  other issues... nothing else matters ... nothing else will work...

again thanks for stating the obvious solution that solves all problems... 

name a problem

Hey matey, no the clubs arent threatening each other legally, its the FA they have a beef with... The clubs that are unhappy with the latest CL garbage have spent money and signed contracts based on an agreement and acceptance by the Football Federation of Australia to participate in a national home and away season next year.. IF that does NOT go ahead in some for or another they have the right to recoup some of the monies already spent AND protect themselves from their own independent contracts with sponsors and players.... 

3-10 extra matches next year is NOT going to appease a sponsor who has paid money to be "front of shirt" for example with the anticipation of reaching a national audience over a full season... Nor is it going to recover sign on bonuses for new staff and players already signed up that will now be "surplus to requirements" in the same old NPL state league.