+x+x+x+x+x+x+xThere is a numptie over at "the roar": who claims the Bulls will be getting 5 thousand fans through the gates this season (amongst other outlandish jibes at the "effniks") so Sunday should see at least 1/4 of these rusted ons come down for the final... surely?
Another contributor interestingly claims South Melbourne has been given massive government grants otherwise they would be in the state league and "smaller" than other Greek Australian clubs around the country?!?!!? Hahahaha my word, the hatred runs sooooo deeeeep its complimentary.
Tis madness to attract your own sport.The theme of all boats rise on an incoming tide seems lost on many as you say tribal folk.
If I may indulge your time a little I went to watch a couple of weeks back a U 14 match between Apia n Gladesville Spirit. What I saw was decent folk there with their kids plus an awful lot of football knowledge. Last week went with a mate to watch the Mariners academy U14 play. Guess what I saw a lot of decent folk who had great knowledge of football.
I think some people forget we are made up of mostly ordinary people just trying to do the right thing.
I am so so so over the infighting and dick measuring. Sure mate, its terrible what people like your buddy over at the roar does in the name of defending the APL... Some things will never change unless we discuss the "wrongs" in this system though.
I am not surprised one little tiny bit that you had a similar experience with like minded football people at APIA, Gladesville AND Mariners U14 game.... Of course you did, these clubs wouldnt exist if people diodnt adore this sport...... only difference is that the APIA and Gladesville folk will NEVER be allowed to cheer their senior team against Mariners in a league setup ..... why? THATS the question. Is there anything wrong with them or their clubs? Are they bad people? Are their kids and families not the same as any other Australian?
I think we both want the same thing and that is a full FIFA system... we differ in how to get there.... my path is more build a successful league and increase Football to the point a FIFA system can be introduced ... your path as I understand it is to jump to a FIFA system now ....
I suggest our differences are where we see Football in the Australian sporting environment .... at present I don't think the Australian public at large """respect """ Australian Football enough to support at a meaningful level a full FIFA model.... meaning we have to build that respect and I see that coming from a meaning first division.... I guess you see it differently and I respect your views...
However that we both want a full FIFA model is not in question simply the best way to get there is the debate..
The A-League has had 20 years do create a 'respectable' league and it shoots itself in the foot every 5 years or so. The fans are there, the interest is there I think you would be surprised how many people of a certain generation follow (in the loosest terms) soccer than dare I say it ... AFL..., Members of the Australian public who are probably willing to go to a first division Australian soccer game (who don't already go) don't respect the A-League because theres no pro/rel and they don't care for expansion teams.
I hear you, and yep the A_l has had 20 years... but we also had 70 + years before the A-L....
Without writing a book on the why's and where's... Australian professional Football has never had the respect it needs to create a fan base that would support a proper first division and divisions below at a high level of quality ....
Until we learn to respect the quality of our players and coaches, respect the game as a whole we will struggle....
Your point on how poor our management has been is very true.... its hurt a lot...
Thats the question atm ... How do we get people to 'respect' Australian Football? Do we get respect and then change the system or change the system and then gain respect.
Yep
IMO you need strong financial systems in place to ensure you can get a higher quality of players.... and in the eyes of the broader mainstream its a solid and reliable competition...
Changing the system, sounds the right way to go...my personal thoughts are Football would struggle to gain respect of the broader public and the Euro snobs would feel its befilth them to even talk about....
I often refer to the MLS and look at what and how they have achieved what they have from a starting point well well well behind where the A-L started and the NSL for that matter... they believe they need to build a fan base and so far they have and they receive less than 10% of their revenue from broadcast mostly from crowds, sponsors and merchandise sales.
The A_l needs to build its crowds IMO to an average of 15K, with say Div 2 teams an average of around 5K.... then we have a foundation to build P & R... put in a plan to get there with measurable KPI's....
I believe if you told the good folk of SM, and similar clubs, you guys average 5 to 6K per game over a season with you guys helping the A-L get to 15K per season and we have the base to move to P & R... those Div 2 clubs would help build the A-L as it would be in their interest...
IMO the secret is putting in place a model where its in everybody's interest for everyone to grow and get better..