So, the big announcements were........ :-"

unfortunately glory have a long way to go to match the force which is a real shame. So it is going to be like this for at least the next 3 seasons.

Perhaps not. Force are moving backwards quickly and the way the ARU is setup now you can expect them to finish last amongst the Australian teams for a few seasons going forward. So Glory might not be able to easily match Force's current crowds going forward, but we wont have to, because the Force will probably be further away from those figures in a few years.

Oh I know - and the Glory CEO posted that on his twitter (That's where you got it from Iridium ;) hehe), with accompanying 'positive' remarks?! :s
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Perhaps not. Force are moving backwards quickly and the way the ARU is setup now you can expect them to finish last amongst the Australian teams for a few seasons going forward. So Glory might not be able to easily match Force's current crowds going forward, but we wont have to, because the Force will probably be further away from those figures in a few years.

http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/1169785/Youthful-Glory-excites-Burns#
Youthful Glory excites Burns

9 October 2013


Real excitement ... Perth Glory captain Jacob Burns (Getty Images)

Perth Glory captain Jacob Burns says it's the first time in a long time the A-League club has assembled a group of quality young players and a bright future is apparent.

Burns was part of Glory's only A-League grand final appearance in 2011-2012.

Less than a year later, Perth was a club in turmoil, after a run of eight win-less matches last season sparked the sacking of coach Ian Ferguson, with star players Billy Mehmet, Jesse Makarounas and Bas van den Brink leaving mid-season.

Replacement coach Alistair Edwards gave the club an instant lift, guiding Glory off the bottom of the table and into a surprise finals experience.

Edwards has set about building for the longer term, ushering in youth to replace the likes of experienced players Liam Miller, Dean Heffernan and Nick Ward.

National under-age representatives Jamie Maclaren, 20, and Edwards's son Ryan, 21, have joined exciting 16 year-old Daniel De Silva, who made his A-League debut with the club late last season.

"There's some real excitement I think, real excitement around the direction the club's heading," Burns said.

"For the first time I think in a long while there's some very good young talent and you can see where the future's heading."

While acknowledging Glory is rebuilding, Burns insisted it can still challenge for the championship.

"Every team has got to go into a season believing they can do it," Burns said.

Young attacking players Maclaren, Edwards and De Silva could be particularly important early in the season.

Veteran attacker Travis Dodd is out long-term as he recovers from a knee injury, and New Zealand international striker Shane Smeltz won't return from a hip injury until round four.

"It gives an opportunity for some young guys to shine and stamp their name on the game," Burns said.

"We've created a culture at the club where they're confident in the right manner and they're going out there to express themselves playing within our team structure."

lol Ok, Iridium - though you will probably beat me - I'll probably sleep in with day off tomorrow on back of long evening at work and now posting & browsing here. :p



Indeed, that is what I was partially angling at too. Force's crowds have slid since S1 and now sustain around a 13-14k average. That is not THAT superior to Glory, either generally and especially not historically, especially during Glory's 'Glory Days'!

Glory could well break through to the double digit, 10k crowd average mark this season, for the first time in it's A-League history and IF it can achieve that, then they will be inching ever closer to not only being 'the Glory of old' but re-claiming their status as the top team/franchise in this venue.

edit: PerthJay, I checked before and this season Force only drew the following crowds:

12,784 hosting the Cheetahs.

11,543 hosting the Rebels

16,758 hosting the Crusaders.

11,972 hosting the Reds.

12,652 hosting the Sharks.

12,508 hosting the Highlanders.

10,198 hosting the Waratahs.

11,000 hosting the Brumbies.

= ~12,427 crowd average.

Far from superior to what Glory even drew last season (8840 apparently? Nib had reducced capacity for a period), let alone their A-League record, 9,734 (S1) and all-time Club Record which is 13,500 upwards to 14-16kish (1997-2001)?

Glory's 'Glory Days' are very comparable to Force's earlier/better crowd averages at the stadium.

FTR I'm not one for bashing Union - I prefer Union to League and support our fellow second tier code in this state, in our bigger battle against AFL for media space. They aren't bad co-tenants to have either. Working together, we have stronger 'collective clout' - hence improved venue. It's more the govt. and/or Allia - whoever responsible for arranging these things. It could quite simply be 'done better' and in a way which would affect Glory far less. Other obstacles and long term issues too have really tested Glory's patience.

Edited by gloryperth: 10/10/2013 05:35:40 AM

As for Perth Glory, I'm still staggered we finished not just behind, but well behind, an NBL team.

You're kidding me???????

What was wrong with the old surface????

That new turf has to knit and settle down in two and a half weeks.

[-(

Edited by hotrod: 9/10/2013 06:07:43 PM

another point wasn't the last force home game in mid July?

What has been happening for the last few months that meant they couldn't resurface the oval?

we can play down the wings....

I'll save you the bother, because as soon as this gets raised you'll get the standard answer:

"a later and wetter than usual Winter, so we're a couple of weeks behind, waiting for the Spring sunshine, etc"