Hyundai A-League
Marquee means marquee.
11/02/10 00:21
Lessons for the A-League Season 6.
With some exceptions and a few surprises aside, crowds at the A-League this season have been disappointing to say the least. A couple of weeks ago, however, Robbie Fowler and the Fury pulled an extra 7000 fans on the Melbourne Victory average for the year. 27,000 fans came along to see Robbie Fowler, aka God, play against the Victory in the Melbourne Capital. In a season where a 12,000 gate is seen as a successful attendance, that crowd was a highlight for the year. It was clear that the fans came to see the Fury marquee, and it highlights an important lesson for clubs going into season 6 - we need strong marquee brands to keep building interest in the clubs and the competition.
What makes a marquee truly Marquee? I think clubs have lost their way on this a little. Marquee doesn't mean a player who was a star in the A-League last year, or a player with outstanding ability, or even a fringe Socceroo who has been playing 2nd division in Nepal and wants to come home to pasture. Marquee means Marquee with a capital M. Charisma, pulling power, a cult status with fans - and it’s not just about talent. A Marquee player needs to tick some pretty special boxes. Has he played for a huge team overseas? Did they sing songs about him at his old club? Has your son or daughter got a poster of him up on the bedroom wall right now? Has he got a personal line of Nike/Adidas/Puma clothing? Will Les Murray blush like a schoolgirl when interviewing him? You get the picture.
Of course he still needs to be able to play the game - I am not calling for Romario or Jardel re-runs here. But if many of these boxes can’t be ticked, then clubs are probably better off taking their money and paying for a guest player that can, even if it is for a handful of games.
No John Aloisi Marquee is going to get the average Premier League loving punter to the stadiums (despite this last fortnight’s spectacular resurgence). Not even a Serginho van Dijk or a Carlos Hernandez, no matter how electric they have been this year, is going to stir my Olympiakos loving uncle back to the game he once frequented weekly. David Beckham’s visit with the Galaxy in 2007 against Sydney uncovered a hidden glut of sport’s consumers looking for that Marquee factor. The Cove banner said it all on that day- “70000 people, we play EVERY week”. In a sport’s market saturated with competition, and lets face it, often ignored by the mainstream media, clubs need to keep thinking big.
If there is one thing that Season 5 crowd figures have shown us all, it is that the A-League needs to leverage the vast market of player talent that football offers from around the world, to snare the occasional superstar that adds an exotic flavour to the round ball game. Real marquee players provide the hook, and the atmosphere of a decent crowd this generates brings the buzz that will attract the curious and the old heads alike. Then its up to the football itself to keep them there. That’s a lesson for another day.
This story also appears in the February 2010 edition of Half Time Heroes, Check it out!
Fowler a coup for Fury
05/02/09 03:06
Not since Dwight Yorke have we had a player of such calibre grace the competition; A player who will get the turnstiles ticking over; A player with a chequered history, no doubt.
Despite his indiscretions, this guy is the fourth-highest goalscorer in the history of the Premier League (120 goals) - Scowsers still refer to him simply as ‘God’, and still at the relatively young (as far as marquee imports go) age of 33, he has the potential to deliver big time.
Despite his indiscretions, this guy is the fourth-highest goalscorer in the history of the Premier League (120 goals) - Scowsers still refer to him simply as ‘God’, and still at the relatively young (as far as marquee imports go) age of 33, he has the potential to deliver big time.
With crowd averages dropping back to season two levels in this fourth season, the FFA has been banking on the addition of the Fury and the Gold Coast to inject some more variety into the fledgeling competition. They will be over the moon with this signing, following on the heels of Gold Coast’s Jason Culina signing a few weeks ago.
It’s easy to see why. If you are a Liverpool fan over the age of 20....hell, if you are a football fan period, you’ll put your backside on a seat when the North Queensland Fury rolls into your town. Players like Fowler are the guys we grew up, or grew old watching, and they are coming to a town near you.
I’ve written about the tremendous advantage that football, as a truly world game, has over and above all the other domestic competitions in this country. This is yet another example of what a global talent pool can offer the Australian sporting market.
Season 4 is barely over, yet the buzz for season 5 is well and truly building.
Will you two goons just get a friggin' room.....
18/01/09 02:21
Mr. and Mrs Old Soccer, Frank Farina and John Kosmina, have been at it again this week, with the jibes and comments coming thick and fast. Once again, rather than focusing on his failure to extract a win for the club that should NEVER miss an A-League Finals series, Kosmina grabbed the pressroom headlines with a bizarre tirade against his ‘mate’ Farina after another sideline incident.
Frank will no doubt keep his job next year at the Roar with what potentially could be a top two finish after next week’s final round. With Craig Moore doing his best impression of Ronald Koeman slotting pinpoint passes from 40 m, Charlie Miller back on the pitch and looking sharp, and the dutchman Van Dijk finally taking opportunities in front of goal, they may give the Reds and Melbourne a rattle at the top.
Kosmina, on the other hand, has to go, and the sooner the better for Sydney FC. See you next year Sky Blues.
A-League's plumbing will see it through
11/01/09 13:54
There has been much wringing of hands of late regarding the A-League’s ‘player drain’ - a particular favourite of the bandwagon media dinosaurs that see the loss of talent overseas as a key reason as to why the game will never take off in this country (I don’t want to drag Wilson back into the discussion, and I wont be linking to her link baiting article....I am sure you have all seen it), but also a genuine concern for all who support our young competition.
Many have written about the fact that losing our best is just a fact of A-League life.
The way I see it, however, it is also the key to the Leagues success, and the point of difference between it and other codes. Let me explain by taking the drain analogy a little bit further...... Read More...
Many have written about the fact that losing our best is just a fact of A-League life.
The way I see it, however, it is also the key to the Leagues success, and the point of difference between it and other codes. Let me explain by taking the drain analogy a little bit further...... Read More...
A-League cracks a 15k average crowd for season 3
20/01/08 20:21
...when you take out the Kiwi Phoenix....
15,005 average for the home/away season.
14,610 average when you kick in the kiwi factor.
Very respectable.
[Thanks Ozboy]
15,005 average for the home/away season.
14,610 average when you kick in the kiwi factor.
Very respectable.
[Thanks Ozboy]
David Beckham and The Galaxy
27/11/07 20:16
What a gamble by the FFA. Anything could have happened, and almost did, with sprained ankles, punches and play acting all possibilities that never really materialised.
Now every paper you pickup is splashed with the success of the night. People in the streets are discussing how Beckham 'Bends it'.
Worth the bucks to bring him out here? - no doubt. Worth the risk of it flopping? Could have been soccer bashing fodder for many, but even the bashers will find it hard to deliver drivel in the face of the theatre of the curling free kick, the ankle scare, the good ol' aussie blue, the red card, the embraces with Juninho and Middleby, and the pictures of the crazy fans. And Beckhams media magnetism.
Kudo's to FFA. And to Channel Ten, thanks for commercial free broadcasting.
And to the Cove boys.."70000 people, we play every week" - a great banner for the occasion!
Now every paper you pickup is splashed with the success of the night. People in the streets are discussing how Beckham 'Bends it'.
Worth the bucks to bring him out here? - no doubt. Worth the risk of it flopping? Could have been soccer bashing fodder for many, but even the bashers will find it hard to deliver drivel in the face of the theatre of the curling free kick, the ankle scare, the good ol' aussie blue, the red card, the embraces with Juninho and Middleby, and the pictures of the crazy fans. And Beckhams media magnetism.
Kudo's to FFA. And to Channel Ten, thanks for commercial free broadcasting.
And to the Cove boys.."70000 people, we play every week" - a great banner for the occasion!
Newcastles favourite code
23/08/07 20:12
Despite what Jets owner Con Constantine has been telling people, it feels like the Coal City will always be a Rugby League Town.
However, to it's credit, the Joey Johns daily, aka the Newcastle Herald, ran an interesting article comparing crowds for the Jets and the Knights.
Although some of the logic is flawed - comparing the last 5 home matches for each team in a way that presents as if they were played at the same time, the bottom line result is very interesting....
Jets past 5 home crowds-----------Knights past 5 home crowds
v mariners 14026---------------------v Raiders 11349
v Sydney 20980-----------------------v Rabbitohs 16320
v Mariners 14828---------------------v Roosters 15171
v Victory 19601------------------------v Dragons 12573
v Sydney 24338-----------------------v Panthers 14351
Total: 93773----------------------------Total: 69764
Average: 18754-----------------------Average: 13952
Before we get all hot and bothered though, it's worth remembering that the Jets last 5 home games were in a run up to trying to get a spot in the semi's (including the last game that was a semi). whilst the last 5 from the Knights have have seen them wrestling to avoid the wooden spoon - not exactly the type of run to the end of the season that makes you want to go out on a cold winters night and watch rugby league.
Speaking of not going anywhere, the new rugby comp is not doing well.......despite the spin.
However, to it's credit, the Joey Johns daily, aka the Newcastle Herald, ran an interesting article comparing crowds for the Jets and the Knights.
Although some of the logic is flawed - comparing the last 5 home matches for each team in a way that presents as if they were played at the same time, the bottom line result is very interesting....
Jets past 5 home crowds-----------Knights past 5 home crowds
v mariners 14026---------------------v Raiders 11349
v Sydney 20980-----------------------v Rabbitohs 16320
v Mariners 14828---------------------v Roosters 15171
v Victory 19601------------------------v Dragons 12573
v Sydney 24338-----------------------v Panthers 14351
Total: 93773----------------------------Total: 69764
Average: 18754-----------------------Average: 13952
Before we get all hot and bothered though, it's worth remembering that the Jets last 5 home games were in a run up to trying to get a spot in the semi's (including the last game that was a semi). whilst the last 5 from the Knights have have seen them wrestling to avoid the wooden spoon - not exactly the type of run to the end of the season that makes you want to go out on a cold winters night and watch rugby league.
Speaking of not going anywhere, the new rugby comp is not doing well.......despite the spin.
Drop-ins from around the Football Galaxy
16/08/07 20:09
Michael Enfield, USA International and former member of team Galaxy, aka known as the team that David Beckham plays for now, may have had a few regrets when he joined Sydney FC right before David Beckham rolled into LA and put the entire LA Galaxy in the world spotlight, and potentially, in the world football shopwindow.
Doesn't sound like he is too worried though.
Enfield is a great example of a phenomenon that is starting to emerge as a feature of the A-League, and is a sign of a healthy future - the comp is a haven for those about to be great, or those who were great and want to be great again. The football is quality, there is exposure around the world and the crowds are decent. In fact when Dwight came here in year 1 A-League the talk was of 'retirement village', sunny weather and nightclubs - a great place to wind down the career.
All of a sudden of he goes to the north of England again - so much for the retirement village theory. The real story was he was struggling for form, came to Sydney, picked up some cash and enough confidence to captain his country in World Cup 2006 and is now back in the top flight EPL as part of Roy Keanes Sunderland.
Other examples of career resurrections are also there to behold - Alex came to Melbourne Victory, stayed a season despite the weather, and has now grabbed a nice little earner state side for FC Dallas.
This year we have Juninho - out of sorts with clubs in Brazil, and Super Mario Jardel, who so far seems on song and here to do the business. Even youngsters who left our shores are coming back to cut their teeth - I would've tipped Kaz Patafta to come back to Australia in twenty years, not just two, even on a loan out.
So what is Enfield thinking? He probably would have been surprised to find out that his new club was all of a sudden lined up to play his old club half way around the world, in November, when Sydney FC take on the Galaxy in a soon to be sell out fixture.
He'll get his exposure all through the A-League season, get to see the bright lights of LA in November, and maybe even learn a thing or two from a Samba King. Don't expect him to be here next year if he goes well though...
Doesn't sound like he is too worried though.
Enfield is a great example of a phenomenon that is starting to emerge as a feature of the A-League, and is a sign of a healthy future - the comp is a haven for those about to be great, or those who were great and want to be great again. The football is quality, there is exposure around the world and the crowds are decent. In fact when Dwight came here in year 1 A-League the talk was of 'retirement village', sunny weather and nightclubs - a great place to wind down the career.
All of a sudden of he goes to the north of England again - so much for the retirement village theory. The real story was he was struggling for form, came to Sydney, picked up some cash and enough confidence to captain his country in World Cup 2006 and is now back in the top flight EPL as part of Roy Keanes Sunderland.
Other examples of career resurrections are also there to behold - Alex came to Melbourne Victory, stayed a season despite the weather, and has now grabbed a nice little earner state side for FC Dallas.
This year we have Juninho - out of sorts with clubs in Brazil, and Super Mario Jardel, who so far seems on song and here to do the business. Even youngsters who left our shores are coming back to cut their teeth - I would've tipped Kaz Patafta to come back to Australia in twenty years, not just two, even on a loan out.
So what is Enfield thinking? He probably would have been surprised to find out that his new club was all of a sudden lined up to play his old club half way around the world, in November, when Sydney FC take on the Galaxy in a soon to be sell out fixture.
He'll get his exposure all through the A-League season, get to see the bright lights of LA in November, and maybe even learn a thing or two from a Samba King. Don't expect him to be here next year if he goes well though...
Will Sydney watch Sydney now?
03/08/07 20:08
Before yesterday there are some pretty good reasons to go out and watch Sydney FC in Hyundai A League Season 3. A new coach that demands a more tasteful approach to football in Branko Culina. World class defenders in Tony Popovic, young up and comers like Mark Milligan and Alex Brosque, and war horses like Steve Corica.
But yesterday, Sydney was gifted Juninho Paulista by Frank Lowy (to be recouped in part by a Carney transfer fee no doubt). To most of us he is a name on the roll of players that got rattled out as Brazil slowly geared up into the World Cup 2002 and, right under everyones noses pulled off yet another World Champions trophy.
And Juninho Paulista was integral. You don't just play 50 times for Brazil's national team and play 5 out of 7 games in a World Cup finals campaign because there is no one else around to take your spot. Brazilians demand blood. This guy was good.
That alone is a reason to pack the stadium at the first home game. The fans deserve better than what they were given last season, and the club now deserves the fans to come back, because they have delivered on a true marquee player. Other clubs may boast a marquee who is a name in Australian football and perhaps known to a a few overseas - Stan Lazaridis for Perth, Craig Moore for Queensland and....Ante Covic for Newcastle(?). But Sydney have taken the notion of what a marquee player is meant to be and stepped it up a notch. As frustrating a wait as it has been, they have got their million dollar man.
Whether he will perform on the field is another matter. The signs are good . He looks fit and trim, and he has a distinctive lack of ego about him.
The chance to see a truly world class player, to swing to the samba rhythms provided by the Sydney Brazilians who will undoubtedly show up with their drums, whistles, and dancing girls and boys, and the promise of an attractive passing style of football encouraged by Culina should be reason enough to get off the couch and get to the games.
Attendance Stats for Sydney FC in the Hyundai A-league
2005/06 Sydney FC Average Crowd 19,647
2006/07 Sydney FC Average Crowd 17,449
2007/08 Sydney FC Average Crowd ?????
Ole!
But yesterday, Sydney was gifted Juninho Paulista by Frank Lowy (to be recouped in part by a Carney transfer fee no doubt). To most of us he is a name on the roll of players that got rattled out as Brazil slowly geared up into the World Cup 2002 and, right under everyones noses pulled off yet another World Champions trophy.
And Juninho Paulista was integral. You don't just play 50 times for Brazil's national team and play 5 out of 7 games in a World Cup finals campaign because there is no one else around to take your spot. Brazilians demand blood. This guy was good.
That alone is a reason to pack the stadium at the first home game. The fans deserve better than what they were given last season, and the club now deserves the fans to come back, because they have delivered on a true marquee player. Other clubs may boast a marquee who is a name in Australian football and perhaps known to a a few overseas - Stan Lazaridis for Perth, Craig Moore for Queensland and....Ante Covic for Newcastle(?). But Sydney have taken the notion of what a marquee player is meant to be and stepped it up a notch. As frustrating a wait as it has been, they have got their million dollar man.
Whether he will perform on the field is another matter. The signs are good . He looks fit and trim, and he has a distinctive lack of ego about him.
The chance to see a truly world class player, to swing to the samba rhythms provided by the Sydney Brazilians who will undoubtedly show up with their drums, whistles, and dancing girls and boys, and the promise of an attractive passing style of football encouraged by Culina should be reason enough to get off the couch and get to the games.
Attendance Stats for Sydney FC in the Hyundai A-league
2005/06 Sydney FC Average Crowd 19,647
2006/07 Sydney FC Average Crowd 17,449
2007/08 Sydney FC Average Crowd ?????
Ole!
Sydney FC Go Free to Air
04/07/07 19:59
...for a day on 27th November 2007.
Ben Buckley(a.k.a. Mr Invisible) on the FFA website: “I am also very pleased to announce that Network Ten will broadcast this major event live nationally in a three hour special presentation."
He was, of course, talking about the upcoming visit by 'the team that David Beckham plays for now' (a.k.a. LA Galaxy).
Well, its a start. From lil things big things grow.
Ben Buckley(a.k.a. Mr Invisible) on the FFA website: “I am also very pleased to announce that Network Ten will broadcast this major event live nationally in a three hour special presentation."
He was, of course, talking about the upcoming visit by 'the team that David Beckham plays for now' (a.k.a. LA Galaxy).
Well, its a start. From lil things big things grow.
Cocu Cola: The Real Thing
17/05/07 19:49
As I type this it looks like SFC is going to miss out on what would have been the most significant signing for the A-league since its inception. SBS news have just reported that talks with the 36 year old Dutchman have all but reached a stalemate, and their focus has turned to to Jay Jay or Benito - and there is even a rumour that the right Aloisi may be in talks with the club.
Better football pundits (than I will ever be) have said in the past that what the Sydney FC and indeed, the A-league, is missing is quality world clarsh players pulling the strings on the pitch.
This is what football culture in Australia will eventually be built upon - a classy build up to a goal, a superb through ball, an intelligent switch of play. Football is its own best advertisement when the ball is moved around the park from player to player with effortless finesse, and players like Cocu can deliver this sort of game. This is what most Europeans know, and what the typical Aussie sports fan does not yet know he or she loves to see.
If the story is indeed true and the Sydney FC have missed out on Cocu then the whole HAL, and indeed we, the footballistas who read obscure blogs like these, have missed out on a leap forward in football entertainment in this country.
Better football pundits (than I will ever be) have said in the past that what the Sydney FC and indeed, the A-league, is missing is quality world clarsh players pulling the strings on the pitch.
This is what football culture in Australia will eventually be built upon - a classy build up to a goal, a superb through ball, an intelligent switch of play. Football is its own best advertisement when the ball is moved around the park from player to player with effortless finesse, and players like Cocu can deliver this sort of game. This is what most Europeans know, and what the typical Aussie sports fan does not yet know he or she loves to see.
If the story is indeed true and the Sydney FC have missed out on Cocu then the whole HAL, and indeed we, the footballistas who read obscure blogs like these, have missed out on a leap forward in football entertainment in this country.
Lookout Joey Johns
15/03/07 19:33
Before I moved into the Newcastle area I knew that Andrew Johns was a popular figure on the local scene. I knew that he was a local boy done good and that the Novacastrians were proud of him.
What I didn't realise was HOW proud of him they are. He does ads for just about everything under the sun, is always being talked about and there is a news story on Joey Johns every single day. 'Our Andrew' is everywhere.
I am not exaggerating. Every single day there is a story on Andrew Johns in the paper, on NBN (home of RL) and on every radio station north of Gosford.
Every little trivial detail about his life is big news. Yesterday it was 'Joey goes surfing before the big match'. They love the guy - I got no problems with that.
But lately there has been a new face that has been appearing in the papers and on the tele more than is normal.
I keep hearing the unmistakable voice of a bloke who has grown up playing the wog ball game around us effniks. Nicky Carle. Last week it was on the back of the Newcastle Herald showing Nicky in a local climbing Gym. Nicky Carle. A fortnight ago, he had just won the HAL Player of the year and Newcastle couldn't get enough of him. Nicky Carle.
And the big news this week, Nick Carle has been selected to play for the Socceroo's against China on March 24 in Guangzhou. There he was again, in the papers.
The town that has the Greatest Player in the WORLD in Joey (Ray Warren, 2005), now has a new face to pin its hopes on.
Lets hope he does us proud.