Mitchell cautious about two-tier league

As Football Federation Australia looks at the viability of a possible two-tier competition, Perth Glory coach Dave Mitchell says it is still several years away.

The A-League was set up with eight clubs in 2005 and will expand to 10 teams when the new season kicks off in August with the introduction of Gold Coast United and North Queensland Fury.

A second Melbourne consortium has been granted a licence for 2010/11 and will be joined in the A-League by a 12th club, expected to come from either Western Sydney, Canberra, Wollongong or Tasmania.

Further expansion remains a possibility but Mitchell says the stability of the top competition must be guaranteed before a second tier is seriously contemplated.

“We’ve got to settle the league. Is it 12 or is it 14 teams? Once that’s established then look at the second division,” Mitchell said.

“It would be quite hard because we’ve got to maintain the A-League first, but there’s other clubs out there that would love to be a part of it.

“I know clubs in Adelaide and there’s a couple of clubs here in Perth but it’s a big financial burden on clubs and if it does come in we’ve just got to make sure that clubs don’t go broke.”

The former Parramatta Power and Sydney United boss believes the ideal way to test the waters is with a knockout cup competition, which would include both A-League and State league clubs.

The FFA has approved an FFA Cup competition in principle but is yet to confirm details of the tournament.

“I think that would be the easier way to start with, for sure, having an FA Cup and having a couple of rounds first and see what the response is,” Mitchell said.

Former NSL powerhouse South Melbourne has publicly backed the introduction of a second tier, as have Sydney Tigers, formerly known as Apia Leichhardt.

The benefit of creating a second tier could be seen at the top level, with FFA seeking more berths in the lucrative Asian Champions League competition.

Currently just two Australian clubs qualify for the ACL each year, however, with entry requirements to be reviewed by the AFC in three years’ time, the FFA is keen to secure more places by satisfying the current requirements of a second tier and a national cup competition.

No-one remember's Shaun Murphy?, Fella scored the winner vs Brazil

Not to mention his being a championship-winning captain for Perth.

The day the club didn't sign Smurf for the inaugral HAL season was the day they went from title-contenders to non-finalists.

Dadi could even end up on the bench, depending on the formation Mitch decides, match to match, if Mitch goes Sterj front two with Jelic and Srhoj on as a more defensive midfield option, alongside Burns. Pellegrino could even see the bench, if Mitch decides to try Sterj out wide right, too.

An appeal to Glory fans- we're actually slightly behind in our memberships for where we were last year. Considering all the signings, the money thrown into the club, and the glamour fixtures we're getting, this is a bloody disgrace. Anyone who is reading this thread and planning on going to games this year, and hasn't got at least an associate membership, is a mug.

The boss has put in millions to the club this year, the least you could do is contribute 50 bucks.

--f1dave, aka Bob Hawke.

An appeal to Glory fans- we're actually slightly behind in our memberships for where we were last year. Considering all the signings, the money thrown into the club, and the glamour fixtures we're getting, this is a bloody disgrace. Anyone who is reading this thread and planning on going to games this year, and hasn't got at least an associate membership, is a mug.

The boss has put in millions to the club this year, the least you could do is contribute 50 bucks.

--f1dave, aka Bob Hawke.

Perhaps you should write an "Uncle Tony Needs You" blog post?

An appeal to Glory fans- we're actually slightly behind in our memberships for where we were last year. Considering all the signings, the money thrown into the club, and the glamour fixtures we're getting, this is a bloody disgrace. Anyone who is reading this thread and planning on going to games this year, and hasn't got at least an associate membership, is a mug.

The boss has put in millions to the club this year, the least you could do is contribute 50 bucks.

--f1dave, aka Bob Hawke.

lol .... as in for crowd numbers ... i dont think a low amount of members will have much affect on match day crowd figures as alot of people do just rock up and by their tickets at the gates ... ie. friends or family of supporters of members etc.

As for the club making money though, that's where buying memberships come into place as they make nothing on match day sales...... i think?

I have an associate membership and attend every glory game, the only reason i have an associate membership in comparision to a full season membership is because i get free tickets through work anyway .....

I've said it before - you're a part time supporter :lol:

I'm going to be pushing for the GFU to do up some propaganda for associate membership will keep you guys posted.

lol .... as in for crowd numbers ... i dont think a low amount of members will have much affect on match day crowd figures as alot of people do just rock up and by their tickets at the gates ... ie. friends or family of supporters of members etc.

As for the club making money though, that's where buying memberships come into place as they make nothing on match day sales...... i think?

I have an associate membership and attend every glory game, the only reason i have an associate membership in comparision to a full season membership is because i get free tickets through work anyway .....

Here's a challenge then- get a full membership, give the associate membership and free tickets to someone who isn't a member, and thus convert one of the heathens (so to speak). We grow another fan, who might enjoy it so much they'll bring their own friends / family.

I have my own challenge in confronting a couple of ex-member mates and getting them back on board. They're both coming to the Wolves and Fulham matches, so hopefully I can push them that much further back into a membership.

Edited by f1dave: 25/6/2009 02:36:53 PM

Believe you me, stick your friends in the shed, they'll be hooked. I've converted a good 4 mates last season and 3 out of 4 of them will be getting full memberships, the other one will when he gets the money lol

haha as if!

I dont miss games, u know im not a part time supporter haha

punk.
:p

As for the club making money though, that's where buying memberships come into place as they make nothing on match day sales...... i think?

If I can get my girlfriend to follow my lead and buy a god-damned expensive adult membership, everyone else should be able to get their concession cards and get one too!

Coyne Considers Firm Glory Offer

Wednesday June 24 2009

Colchester`s former Luton and West Ham stopper Chris Coyne has revealed he is finally considering a firm contract offer from Perth Glory.

Coyne, speaking in the West Australian newspaper yesterday, said he will also look at offers from Asia and the Middle East before deciding whether to accept a three-year deal.

Since Coyne is already negotiating personal terms, it implies that Perth Glory have been agreed a fee with United, despite a lack of any such suggestion in the English media.

Previous reports calimed Colchester were prepared to let a player who was a £3500,000 club-record signing just eighteen months ago leave for nothing.

"I`m still looking at every option and I`ll make a decision when I`ve got all the facts in front of me," whose comments seem to indicate he has played his last game for United, after months of speculation over his future.

He made no mention of the club in his latest interview, saying: "I had a chat with Glory and I`m just waiting on things from Asia and the Middle East."

Coyne is now very popular in his home country, and supporters who have watched him impress at international level since his breakthrough a year ago cannot fathom why he is anything other than an automatic selection in North Essex.

Aside from Coyne`s changeable form and unfortunate luck with injuries since Paul Lambert succeeded Geraint Williams at Colchester, it is thought that the U`s manager became increasingly frustrated with the player`s unavoidable globetrotting.

Clearly mindful of making Australia`s World Cup 2010 squad now having helped them qualify, Coyne added: "It`s going to be a huge 12 months for everyone involved in the national team. suppose there`s 30 or 40 players who want to make that 23-man squad."

A condition of Coyne`s deal at Glory, like David Beckahm`s equivalent for L.A. Galaxy, is that he would be allowed to make a loan move to maintain his fitness ahead of the World Cup.

Having played in England and Scotland as well as Australia, it is likely Coyne would return to Britain in search of the fitness he will need to stay fit for the competition once his domestic season with Glory ends next April.

Perth looked alright, but the lack of finishing finesse kinda hurt them in the end. That being said, we kinda lacked some finishing ability too. Dodd's magical waltz through the Perth defence may be a worry for you guys though...