By southern3 - 7 Feb 2009 10:38 AM
Perth Glory are close to finalising a deal to take on English Premier League side Everton - featuring socceroos ace Tim Cahill - in a home freindly match in July, according to the A-Leagu club's co-owner, Tony Sage.
Glory are keen to capitalise on the presence of a growing number of Premier League clubs in Asia during their off-season, and Everton could be the first of many to use Perth as an additional pre-season stopover.
Sage expects to know early next week whether Glory have been successful after weeks of negotiations with a match agent acting on behalf of the Goodison Park club.
"The reason we are really interested in Everton is Timmy Cahill," Sage said.
Tentative enquiries had been directed towards Premier League heavyweights Manchester United and Chelsea, though Sage admitted they would be tougher nuts to crack.
"The Everton one is a very serious oppourtunity and we'd love to get it," Sage said. "Its not locked away just yet. We've made a request to Man U because they are going to be in Jakarta (in July) and then we found out that Chelsea are also in the region and we've made contact with them."
The mining entrpenuer has strong business links in Asia and is aware of the enthusiasm of Premier League clubs to extend their reach in the world's most populous region.
"Obviously clubs are trying to build their brands in Asia," he said."If they can get a bit more money they might come down to Australia."
Perth reguarly hosted matches featuring teams such as West Ham, Nottingham Forest, Werder Bremen and Sampdoria, before Glory started to dominate the old National Soccer League in the late-1990's.
Despite no venue suitable for international fixtures, Sage said a friendly match between Glory and an overseas team could be played at either Members Equity Stadium or Subiaco Oval.
He said the WA government, which recently put on hold plans for a multi-purpose stadium, was unlikely to provide assistance.
"We see this as an oppourtunity to get high-quality football here in Perth and if the government won't help, we'll do it ourselves," Sage said.
The Everton deal hinges on the Premier League club having a second Australian fixture on the east coast.
Glory are also negotiating to travel to the Netherlands for a pre-season tournament just before the proposed Everton match in mid-july.
This article appeared in The West Australian newspaper on Saturday February 7th 2009 Page 127
Edited by southern3: 7/2/2009 10:40:32 AM
Edited by southern3: 7/2/2009 10:40:48 AM
Just noticed Perth Glory didn't have supporters thread. so changed this one. :)
Edited by southern3: 7/2/2009 11:21:46 AM
Edited by southern3: 8/2/2009 09:49:12 AM
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