Expect a steady stream of positive news stories to come out of the A-League this season. There’s a real buzz about the competition, which kicks off in less than a month.

No where is that more the case than in the west, where Perth Glory are banking on some high-profile signings to return them to their halcyon days.

The Glory’s fall from grace echoed that of the competition they once dominated.

There were muted celebrations when South African coach Mich d’Avray lead them to their second straight title in the old National Soccer League, with the Grand Final victory signalling the end of an era.

When Glory resurfaced in the new eight-team A-League in 2005, much of their lustre had vanished.

Curiously for a league so insistent on removing so-called “ethnic ties” from its clubs, not much was made of the fact that Perth called upon a significant proportion of British expatriates to swell crowds on the terraces.

That British link resurfaced in the form of coach Steve McMahon - undoubtedly one of the worst advertisements for football we’ve ever seen in this country.

Not only did he sign his catastrophically underwhelming son Steve McMahon Jr, but he also oversaw the arrival of creaking veteran Brian Deane as the club’s inaugural marquee signing.

Their arrivals triggered a long period of mismanagement that saw club ownership change hands and supporters depart in droves.

So dire were circumstances that whispers abounded that Perth might even lose its A-League licence.

The appointment of former Socceroos striker Dave Mitchell as coach appears to have had a stabilising effect, and Glory were slightly unlucky not to make the finals last season.

As a coach, Mitchell has his critics - but the man with the Glaswegian brogue surely has no better chance to steer his side into its first A-League finals campaign now that six teams qualify for the playoffs.

Mitchell has argued that the salary cap is particularly harsh on Perth, with the general cost of living too high to entice players to pack up and head west from the more populous eastern states.

However, it hasn’t stopped Perth from landing several high-profile signings, with Socceroo midfielders Mile Sterjovski and Jacob Burns returning from Europe to link up with English defender Andy Todd and Serbian striker Branko Jelic.

Perth are also close to securing the services of fellow Australian international Chris Coyne, whose brother Jamie is the current captain of the club.

The elder Coyne’s arrival from English club Colchester United will spark further optimism for the new campaign.

Like coach Mitchell, current owner Tony Sage also has his critics. But no one can deny that the flamboyant businessman has stamped his authority on the club with some impressive recruiting.

What Glory need now is to try and win back the community that once backed them to a hilt.

Amidst all the talk of the A-League being embraced by Australian football fans, it hasn’t gone unnoticed that Perth’s crowds have dropped alarmingly since the days of the NSL.

Fans have long complained of draconian treatment at the hands of club officials, while their tenancy at the piecemeal-built Member’s Equity Stadium has also come under scrutiny.

Nevertheless, a modicum of success on the pitch could see some of those stay-away fans return to cheer on their side once again.

The pressure is now on Dave Mitchell to grind out results, but the hard-nosed tactician appears unphased by the level of expectation.

Regardless of your allegiance, a healthy Perth Glory means a strong A-League. With the less than a month to go, the start of the new campaign can’t come quickly enough.

the amount of time we have had to suffer will just make the good times even better. we get to be the leagues feel good story but we are the ones that get to enjoy it. how we have managed to stack so much talent under the salary cap is a mystery to me but you cant do anything less than commend all involved at the club. truly good times ahead, i might even drink less this season so i actually remember the results. good times to be a glory supporter!!

6PR are giving them away like there's no tomorrow, so I doubt we've come close to filling MES

Haha, this is beginning to seem like shades of Culina.

yes he has
no he hasn't
yes he has
no he hasn't...

etc.

Any news regarding ticket sales for tomorrow night's game? I checked the weather, and while we're supposed to have a few showers in the morning and early arvo, the evening should be completely clear - so the weather shouldn't really affect ticket sales too much. Anything under 15,000 people would have to be a failure, surely? Although, I would expect more people on Wednesday night as it is a double-header, we will have more players available and Fulham are obviously more recognised and anticipated than Wolves.

Glory complete Coyne signing

10th July 2009, 0:00 WST

WA defender Chris Coyne is returning home to become the third current Socceroo to join Perth Glory after securing his release from Colchester United.

Coyne, who had two years to run on his contract, agreed termination terms with the English League One club on Thursday night (WA time) and is set to join fellow Australian internationals Mile Sterjovski and Jacob Burns at the A-League outfit for the new season.

He will sign a three-year deal with a Glory side now seemingly poised to break into the A-League finals for the first time.

After playing a key role in Australia’s qualification for next year’s World Cup, Coyne, 30, is convinced the move to Glory will enhance his chances of making Pim Verbeek’s 23-man squad for South Africa.

“I’m glad it’s over,” Coyne told The West Australian after weeks of speculation about his next move. “Pim said it’s a good idea to come to Perth because he’ll get to see a lot more of me. And that’s helped make my mind up.

“I’m coming back while I’m still fit and strong and I think the club is going places. I think they’ve got a strong squad and there’s a lot of pace in good areas.”

He is also excited about the prospect of lining up in a Glory team alongside his younger brother Jamie, 28, who made his Glory debut in the 2002-03 National Soccer League season.

“It was a big factor and the fact that it’s my home club. I left Perth when Jamo was 14 so it will be good to play in the same team as him,” said Coyne, whose overseas career started at West Ham and took him to Dundee and Luton before he joined Colchester last year. “I might not have had another chance to do that.”

Glory had offered Coyne a three-year deal subject to him being released from Colchester, which was eventually granted last night.

He will fly into Perth early on Sunday morning and is expected to start training on Monday, although he is unlikely to feature in Wednesday night’s friendly against English Premier League club Fulham at Members Equity Stadium.

Glory owner Tony Sage backed coach David Mitchell’s push to strengthen the squad and deputy chairman Lui Giuliani has been heavily involved in the recruitment of some top quality players.

Aside from the Socceroos trio, Glory have also brought in former English Premier League defender Andy Todd and Serbian striker Branko Jelic, who played for Energie Cottbus in Germany’s top division last season.

PERTH
JONATHAN COOK