A-League Expansion

[midfielder]

Seems like NT are chasing Ian Rush re Liverpool ------------ and of course the mighty Blacktown Demons.


http://www.smh.com.au/news/a-league/nq-backers-target-reds-legend-rush/2008/05/05/1209839551534.html
Michael Cockerill
May 6, 2008

LIVERPOOL legend Ian Rush has been offered the coaching job at A-League aspirants North Queensland by a consortium hoping to take over the club.

North Queensland and the Gold Coast are likely to join the competition next year - possibly along with a west Sydney team and a second Melbourne side, as Football Federation Australia considers a mass expansion to a 12-team league.

Gold Coast have virtually settled on former Queensland Roar coach Miron Bleiberg for their entry to the competition, while a possible change of ownership structure has paved the way for Rush to become North Queensland's founding coach.

The Townsville side had originally pencilled in former New Zealand international Wynton Rufer for the job, but the initial backers of the NQ bid have since been replaced. Melbourne businesswoman Melissa Fischer-Massa took over the licence earlier this year, but now she too could make way for a partnership between a Melbourne marketing company and Townsville group headed by Don Matheson, who owns The Willows Golf Club.

It is this consortium that recently approached Rush, who has yet to respond to the offer. The new group will make a formal submission to the FFA next week, and is favoured to gain the licence over Fischer-Massa, possibly as early as next month.

Rush has been approached as much for his perceived marketing pull as his coaching ability. Since retiring as a player in 2000 - when he made two appearances as a guest player for Sydney Olympic in the old NSL - the former Wales international has made little impact as a coach. He had a brief spell as part-time strikers coach at Liverpool in 2003 - when he worked under Gerard Houllier - and his only experience as head coach was a turbulent stint at English lower-league side Chester City the following season.

Since then Rush has worked as a television pundit and is employed part-time by the Welsh FA as the elite performance director. If Rush rejects the Townsville offer, it is likely the NQ backers will go with a local coach, with former Sydney FC coach Branko Culina among the contenders.

Meanwhile, Mark Milligan's Olympic dreams are hanging by a thread after he was left out of the Olyroos squad for this month's warm-up tournament in Malaysia for skipping the training camp in Townsville. Milligan's hold on the captaincy is also under threat.

Milligan was hauled before FFA technical director Rob Baan and high performance manager John Boultbee yesterday to explain why he was in England for trials rather than in camp. Milligan is without a contract after finishing his deal with Sydney FC last week and, because of injury, hasn't played competitively since early February. Missing the Malaysian tournament, which starts next week, is a serious blow in his attempt to gain match fitness.

FFA officials issued a brief statement yesterday, saying: "In light of the reasons provided by Milligan, he will not eligible to attend the Olympic football team's Olympic Games preparatory tournament in Malaysia to be held from 13-25 May 2008." No mention was made of whether it would impact Milligan's chances of playing in Beijing.

In A-League news, Perth Glory are edging closer to signing veteran keeper Frank Juric, who wants to return to Australia after a decade in Germany. Juric, 34, has spent most of his time abroad as a second-string keeper, and finishes his deal with Hannover 96 this month.

Perth start pre-season training this week and will compete in a four-team tournament in China next month along with Wellington Phoenix.

 

[Jesus]

I think that ultimately the FFA realise that the short comp will only hamper the long term success of the sport in the country. Ultimately they have to bite the bullet and play some more games against league/afl games. They can still roster to try and avoid major competition.

Anyone have any figures on the early round averages when teams are competing with league/afl?

I have kept crowd figures for every round in hal 1, 2 , 3, must go have a look. But the Hal starts around the final series and thus its up against a limited number of games anyway.

IMO they are simply to scared to take em on.

Yeah, i guess but finals matches would probably have bigger crowds, and tv audiences.
I think that it will be a real test, but i think it will be something they know they have to do, and will look for the challenge. One big time consumer would be fixturing.

 

[dibo]

I think that ultimately the FFA realise that the short comp will only hamper the long term success of the sport in the country. Ultimately they have to bite the bullet and play some more games against league/afl games. They can still roster to try and avoid major competition.

Anyone have any figures on the early round averages when teams are competing with league/afl?

breaking the season into the rotations (r1-7, 8-14, 15-21, finals) we get:

2005/6 11541  10430  10893  21040
2006/7 11809  13057  13912  29614
2007/8 13778  13969  16082  25686

in season one, we had a higher first rotation average, but this is when perth pulled 13k to see sydney and round one had 25k in sydney and 20k in brisbane. even NZ pulled nearly 10k for their first game. after that, the new shininess of the comp obviously waned, so the averages levelled out later.

season 2 you can see there's a boom after rotation 1 - our crowds jumped later in the year, the jets' crowds boomed, the victory were getting regular fixtures at the dome in front of 20k+.

season 3 you can see that it was basically pretty steady until the end, when a series of blockbusters and the tight race for the finals drew out some massive crowds.

i have a feeling we can pretty well hold our own in that afl/nrl finals period. we're not going to be breaking box office records, but we'll do alright.

IMHO expansion would be more likely to push the season around the other end of the year into march though, simply because it's that period from march to june that will hurt a-league players badly when it comes to tournament fitness and our performances in the AFCCL.

 

[Jesus]

I think that ultimately the FFA realise that the short comp will only hamper the long term success of the sport in the country. Ultimately they have to bite the bullet and play some more games against league/afl games. They can still roster to try and avoid major competition.

Anyone have any figures on the early round averages when teams are competing with league/afl?

breaking the season into the rotations (r1-7, 8-14, 15-21, finals) we get:

2005/6 11541   10430   10893   21040
2006/7 11809   13057   13912   29614
2007/8 13778   13969   16082   25686

in season one, we had a higher first rotation average, but this is when perth pulled 13k to see sydney and round one had 25k in sydney and 20k in brisbane. even NZ pulled nearly 10k for their first game. after that, the new shininess of the comp obviously waned, so the averages levelled out later.

season 2 you can see there's a boom after rotation 1 - our crowds jumped later in the year, the jets' crowds boomed, the victory were getting regular fixtures at the dome in front of 20k+.

season 3 you can see that it was basically pretty steady until the end, when a series of blockbusters and the tight race for the finals drew out some massive crowds.

i have a feeling we can pretty well hold our own in that afl/nrl finals period. we're not going to be breaking box office records, but we'll do alright.

IMHO expansion would be more likely to push the season around the other end of the year into march though, simply because it's that period from march to june that will hurt a-league players badly when it comes to tournament fitness and our performances in the AFCCL.

Agreed

 

[midfielder]

Interesting development ---------------- from Illawarra papers



A-League tells South Coast group to lodge bid

BY JOEL RITCHIE

16/05/2008 4:00:00 AM

http://illawarra.yourguide.com.au/news/local/sport/soccer/aleague-tells-south-coast-group-to-lodge-bid/771240.aspx

THE Illawarra's A-League bid board has been asked to submit an expression of interest for admission into the 2009-2010 season with Football Federation Australia by June 2.

The request came when South Coast Football bid chairman Eddy de Gabriele and director Bill Drossos met with the Football Federation Australia (FFA) feasibility committee in Sydney last night.

The FFA has requested a document detailing South Coast's team name, colours, financial model, budgets, revenue streams and geographical base, to be submitted in time for consideration at an FFA board meeting on June 3.

"It's serious time now - it's time for the community to get behind us," de Gabriele said last night.

"This is the first time they (the FFA) have asked us to put something in writing. Now it's time to put up or shut up."

If the expression of interest is accepted, the FFA will ask South Coast to submit a formal application for entry into the 2009-2010 competition, which will be considered later in the year.

If accepted, the South Coast franchise would need $5 million per annum for its first three seasons and $3.5 million thereafter to stay viable, Mr de Gabriele said.

The South Coast bid committee will start lobbying potential sponsors and investors next week.

South Coast football has received letters of intent pledging just over $1 million per season to date, Mr de Gabriele said.

He said he was confident the community would get behind the bid - and that the South Coast would have an A-League side in 2009-2010.

"Now is the time for us to go to the community and say we can put in a formal expression of interest," he said.

"The next month will tell us just how serious the community is about having an A-League team in the region."

South Coast is competing with at least three rival bids - Gold Coast, North Queensland Thunder and a consortium from western Sydney - for admission to the A-League.

The FFA was tight-lipped about where the other bids stood, Mr de Gabriele said.

He and Mr Drossos went into yesterday's meeting intending to ask for a provisional licence, but the FFA said an expression of interest had to be submitted first.

 

[Bear]

So many away trips, I cant wait 

 

[midfielder]

I hope they get in and WS ............. massive for Gong to Newie

 

[Jesus]

If the gong is to have a chance, it would surely be against the thunder bid. Since the WS and 2nd melb teams seem well funded from past articles.

 

[swarey]

This article was on SMH site yesterday, Cahill & Chipperfield backing South Coast bid....

SOCCEROOS star Tim Cahill is ready to be the face of a Wollongong-based A-League team, and has hinted at support for a west Sydney bid, as he looks to life beyond the playing arena.

The 28-year-old Everton midfielder gives himself another "five or six years" in Europe before returning to Australia for good, and by then he's hoping both Wollongong and west Sydney will be thriving members of an expanded A-League. Cahill hasn't ruled out a financial investment, but is more focused on setting up academies in two areas which have produced a long line of internationals.

"There's good people in both areas, a lot of good players have come through these areas, and I'm hoping to get involved on a broader level," Cahill said. "Sydney FC is one of the most successful clubs in the country in terms of money, but we should spread the wealth I've been working on a lot of ideas over the last 12 to 15 months. I'm lucky to be in a position to help the game, and with the help of my sponsors I want to put something back. To be honest, the game didn't give me a lot of help when I was growing up, so I want to do something for the kids."

Cahill went on national television yesterday to spruik Wollongong's A-League credentials, and together with Socceroos teammate Scott Chipperfield - a former Wollongong junior - his support gives the South Coast bid a timely boost. South Coast bid officials met Football Federation Australia last weekend to open discussions about joining the competition in 2009, and have been asked to present a formal expression of interest before the next FFA board meeting on June 3.

Bid spokesman Eddy de Gabriele could hardly contain his delight at Cahill's public show of support, saying: "It's a huge vote of confidence in us, what we are about, and the fact Tim is prepared to put his face up should help us generate more interest from the corporate sector."

Having successfully unified all levels of football in the Illawarra, the South Coast bid has already signed on a number of major sponsors, including DHL, but the key will be the backing of WIN Corporation owner Bruce Gordon, who has already met FFA chairman Frank Lowy to discuss his plans.

De Gabriele was reluctant to suggest Gordon's support was over the line, but admitted: "He's definitely warming to the idea of being a benefactor, and hopefully he's somewhere in the frame. We all know what his support would mean."

There are some suggestions the FFA will ultimately choose between Wollongong and west Sydney, but de Gabriele disagreed, adding: "I don't think it's a case of one or the other. If both bids are strong, I can't see why we both can't be in, and that's the impression I get from FFA."

Cahill, who grew up in the inner west before moving further west to Liverpool, will be hoping that's the case.

Together with Socceroos teammates Harry Kewell and Lucas Neill, he has often been linked to a western Sydney bid in recent months, but while he makes no secret of his support for a second Sydney team he remains cagey about a possible financial stake.

"The west is the area we [family] lived, and it's something I want to be involved with massively," he said. "But I don't know about consortiums, I haven't heard that rumour yet. If something happens in the future, you never know, but as I've said, I'd rather get involved in the development level."

Meanwhile, the Socceroos - minus the injured Cahill and Italy-based Carl Valeri, a late withdrawal - will gather in Sydney today to prepare for Friday's World Cup warm-up match against Ghana at the SFS. Keeper Mark Schwarzer has been excused from the first three days of the camp to finalise his next club contract.

Ghana are due to arrive tomorrow, and outgoing coach Claude le Roy has included Portsmouth attacker Sulley Muntari - fresh from his FA Cup success - in the squad.

In other news, FFA has announced its bid for the 2009 and 2010 Club World Cups. FIFA will choose the hosts at its meeting in Sydney next week.

 

[swarey]

Found another one


Skoko backs Geelong bid for A-League
Article from: Herald Sun

Matt Windley

May 19, 2008 12:00am

FORMER Socceroo Josip Skoko has given his support to a Geelong franchise being admitted to the A-League.

And with Skoko's return to Australia on the horizon after he was released last week by English Premier League club Wigan Athletic, any Geelong side may have a No. 1 candidate for a marquee player.

"I think it's something I would definitely be interested in, for sure. But that's obviously dependent on how the body pulls up. I don't want to play in the A-League just for an easy pay cheque," the 33-year-old said.

Skoko also hinted at being involved with any Geelong club in other capacities; whether that be financially or even as a coach.

The Herald Sun understands a group of Geelong businessmen has a $3 million bankroll to control Victoria's first regional soccer team.

Deputy Mayor of Geelong John Mitchell said there were a number of people keen to have an A-League team in the city.

"I know that there are some consortiums that are keen to bid for (a franchise)," Mitchell said. "It's probably not the role of the local government to put up a bid to run a team, but no doubt we'd offer any support we could."

Pointing to Newcastle Jets' grand final success in the third season of the A-League, Mitchell said Geelong had the capabilities to match its northern counterparts.

"We're the biggest regional city in Victoria, same size as Newcastle, and I see no reason why we wouldn't have the infrastructure to support an A-League team here," he said.

Federal MP for Corangamite, Darren Cheeseman, has been one of the main advocates of a Geelong-based side, recently funding a $20,000 feasibility study into Geelong soccer.

Cheeseman also met Geelong Football Club chief executive Brian Cook to gauge his club's reaction to a rival code, and Cook's response was surprisingly sympathetic.

"He thought the ground-sharing situation would work," Cheeseman said. "Kardinia Park is the major sporting stadium of regional Victoria, so we would want to utilise that."

The City of Geelong said it was prepared to make Skilled Stadium available for soccer.

"Geelong has a strong base of soccer players and supporters," Dean Frost, the Geelong general manager for community infrastructure and recreation, said.

He also noted that in 2007 a Melbourne Victory pre-season match had been held at Skilled Stadium, attracting 10,000 spectators.

Avid Cats supporter Billy Brownless added his support.

"I think there's room. It's a big city now down there, and there's a lot of soccer fans and a lot of soccer teams," Brownless said. "Obviously Geelong footy club comes first (to me), but anything from Geelong you're happy to get behind and support."

Expansion is high on the A-League's priorities. Franchises from the Gold Coast and Townsville are likely to be included for the 2009-2010 season. Football Federation Australia chairman Frank Lowy has said that his preference is for a 12-team competition.

Lowy also said community support and suitable stadiums would be considered in the decision to add teams to the eight-team league.

Consortiums must provide a $10 million franchise start-up.

It is believed this stopped the Townsville-based Northern Thunder and Gold Coast Galaxy from entering the A-League in 2008-09.

 

[skilbeck]

12 teams seem like a good number for me. ultimately id like 2 tiers of 12 teams each but i know thats either in the extreme long term future or a pipe dream. would be wonderful though.

 

[marinermick]

Geelong team could be called The Baycity Strollers 

 

[Arabmariner]

12 teams seem like a good number for me. ultimately id like 2 tiers of 12 teams each but i know thats either in the extreme long term future or a pipe dream. would be wonderful though.

Two tiers is way way down the track if at all.I reckon we,ll have 12 teams at the start of V7 and quite possibly 14 two or three years after that.Home and away 26 rounds plus an FFA Cup,pre and post season competitions...................

Oh and the small matter of derbies at Scum,West Sydney,Bling and W,gong and an annual away trip to the Gold Coast..........very nice indeed!!!!!

 

[swarey]

Geelong team could be called The Baycity Strollers 

LOL

 

[skilbeck]

12 teams seem like a good number for me. ultimately id like 2 tiers of 12 teams each but i know thats either in the extreme long term future or a pipe dream. would be wonderful though.

Two tiers is way way down the track if at all.

thats what i said. it is a pipedream for me. *skilbeck now returns to the thought of the scum being relegated*

 

[thomas477]

relegated to what?

 

[kevrenor]

relegated to what?

NBN league of course!

I think it will happen when they can get a second level league going, with promotion/relegation between them - how I really do not know as some of the State Leagues are not doing too well at present

 

[FFC Mariner]

We were talking about this in the pub before the game tonight and the best we could come up with to get around the license issue was:

Relegation/Promotion to be State based (cant have Adelaide going down to be replaced by a team from Qld)

When the promoted club is decided, they have a set period of time to raise the license fee and "takeover" the spot.

You would also need 14/16 teams to make it viable.

 

[Kareem]

We were talking about this in the pub before the game tonight and the best we could come up with to get around the license issue was:

Relegation/Promotion to be State based (cant have Adelaide going down to be replaced by a team from Qld)

When the promoted club is decided, they have a set period of time to raise the license fee and "takeover" the spot.

You would also need 14/16 teams to make it viable.

not a bad idea...but few questions
1) Going from HAL--> state would be pretty big loss for club- could lead to path of no return...i mean look at EPL and championship??? There is a pretty big gap between them! Even bigger between HAL and state leagues I think (I dont watch much State league anyone can back me up???)
2) I assume the Adelaide being replaced by a team from its own state is to ensure that areas will always be roughly represented (ie. another team in HAL from SA) but is it fair??? What happens if the best team in country outside of HAL is in QLD??? England etc. have no discrimination in higher leagues relative to that (they do though 4 or 5 leagues down I believe???)

 

[Jesus]

Buckley suggested that we have an exemption from the promotion/relegation for the forseeable future.