The dominance of the EPL is hindering A-League growth
Columnist By Adrian Musolino, 15 Jan 2009 Adrian Musolino is a Roar Expert
- Tagged:
- A-League, development, English Premier League, football, Manchester United, Portsmouth, Sydney FC
Whether you love or loathe the English Premier League, you have to acknowledge its rise to global prominence from the dark days of hooliganism as truly phenomenal for what is a domestic league. But the popularity of the EPL has overshadowed the development of the A-League, with many football fans sticking with the overseas product.
The majority of us have heard A-League bashing from folks who love the EPL, are fervent in their support for a team, typically one of the big four or less likely one of the perennial middle table teams, and yet don’t support the A-League.
You see them wearing their EPL shirts and at sports bars late at night watching the games. There is nothing wrong with that, you just wish they could also get behind the A-League.
“It’s boring, lacks tradition and skill of the EPL,” they say.
There is no denying the difference in depth and quality between the EPL and the A-League is night and day.
One is an economic powerhouse that attracts the best players from around the world to teams with hundreds of years of tradition in a country and continent in which football rules. The other is a code struggling for mainstream attention in an overcrowded sporting market, with a history of stunted growth and a league still in its infancy.
The comparisons between the two are futile.
But that doesn’t mean the A-League is not a viable, unique and competitive league worthy of recognition and support. We just have to accept the quality is not yet where it should be relative to our Asian neighbours and not even close to the major European leagues.
What does the A-League have over the EPL?
For Aussies, the teams represent our homes, places of birth and residences, and an emotional connection stronger than just picking an EPL team.
This is something the FFA needs to do: win hearts and minds in the local communities.
This phenomenon is not unique to Australia.
The popularity of the pre-season match between Manchester United and Portsmouth in the capital of Nigeria, Abuja, highlighted the global reach of the EPL and, as this BBC News article demonstrates, the effect it has on the domestic league.
As Nigerian Tony Collins told BBC News, “I like Manchester United because they’re winners. Actually I like any club that wins in Europe. Nigerians like winners, we’re simple people. Nigerian clubs? Can you really compare? They’re rubbish, I don’t waste my time with that.”
Sound familiar?
Is there any way for the FFA/A-League to tap into the popularity of the EPL for its own gain?
The fact that both the EPL and A-League are shown on Fox Sports allows for cross promotion between the two and the network has done this well.
But why not arrange pre-season matches down under between A-League teams and visiting EPL sides?
Given the popularity of the EPL, fans would flock to see the matches while the EPL teams already play such preseason tours in far-flung places like the USA and Asia. The key would be making it economically viable for the teams.
As opposed to the Nigerian example, a domestic team would be playing giving Aussies a chance to cheer on our underdogs (we love underdogs remember) against the visitors.
While the LA Galaxy exhibition match was all about one David Beckham, it still showcased Sydney FC to a whole new audience on free to air.
Purists who deride the EPL as a cash cow with a one-dimensional playbook may not like it, but it would be for the benefit of the game locally.
Recommend this story.
January 15th 2009 @ 9:06am
Dave said | January 15th 2009 @ 9:06am | Report comment
This problem is certainly not unique to Oz with most of the world outside of Europe and South America experiencing similar issues. HAL probably more so because of the large number of expats in Oz and the recent commencement of the league. Even in Northern Europe places such as Norway and Denmark ManU are as popular, if not more so, than the local teams. So other countries have the same issue and are able to run viable successful, professional football leagues.
The support for the EPL in the wider world is not something that will disappear any time soon. HAL will take a generation to begin changing the allegiances of the local football supporters. As more HAL clubs do well in the league, gain entry into the ACL and have local players who excel and are signed to big Euro clubs, support will become rusted on. it is a process that takes time, no use trying to change matters to speed up the process as this wont work. Watching the local HAL teams season after season will develop such support. The building of traditions will take time. Developing grassroots programs to integrate with local communities and give opportunities to the young people in the area. Building a community club is the way to go aka Central Coast Mariners.
There is no problem with people supporting EPL teams but as they develop more of a link with the local HAL team then their allegiances will slowly switch to the HAL team. It takes time. The fact that international club football is now available also is huge draw for to entice more people to come to games, whether it be ACL or friendlies.
The one aspect in footballs favour and which gives me confidence the above change will occur over time is the fact that hundreds of thousands of kids chose to take up the game and now they have pathways in place, better coaching and elite Oz clubs to play for.
January 15th 2009 @ 9:21am
Finno said | January 15th 2009 @ 9:21am | Report comment
Beisdes Italy, Spain, Germany and France all the other leagues struggle compared to the EPL.
But other Euopean clubs they still have good support the Dutch, Portugal, Turkey, Belgian, Swiss, Austria, Greek etc etc leagues all have a good fan base.
Why because people identify with the team as there home town.
Most Liverpool, Chelsea, Man U fans are not from those places, the go for them because they are winners they win the champion league and have the best players. I back Nottingham Forest. why? I hear you cry. because they were great when I first started watching football. They basically had the England back line.
I love watching the EPL, Champions League and Serie A. But my home is Brisbane and my team is the Roar.
Kids where the Liverpool jersey because it fashion. They chance is that they will idenify with the Roar if the player gets out and kick a ball with them and sign jerseys, PR stuff.
You are never going to change peoples view of weather the think the A- League is a waste of time. Worry about the kids worry about the next 10 years. Kid fans are the key they are the future and the are gold to any club treat the kids right and your club will be treated right. I can never say this enough.
January 15th 2009 @ 9:30am
Koala Bear said | January 15th 2009 @ 9:30am | Report comment
I fell in love with the Chelsea FC when on my travels to Europe on a working holiday. I spent a season in London Chelsea 1972 .. attended all the home fixtures for the season before returning home to Australia.. I still feel they are my team..
However, the A-League is taking more and more of my attention; and is becoming more and more of my greater interest, than the EPL .. HAL Is not the best league in the world but its ours, and after 4.5 seasons, it has captured the Australian Football Families imagination that I have never ever seen before in Australia.. ..
Thanks to Johnny Warren’s unrelenting belief and Frank Lowy’s masterly organisation capabilities, Australian Football is going places, never seen before in Australia, and the growth is undeniable .. ACL, the Asean National Championships League.. The wonderful run of AU FC in the ACL then the FIFA WCC is only the begining.. and of course the pending participation in the coming 2010 World Cup..
Finally the sleeping giant of Australian Football has awaken from the fifty or so Rip Van Winkle years .. the EPL will still be there, but the HAL is making massive inroads into the sporting landscape of Australia .. One day the HAL will stand tall along side the EPL … And why not..
~~~~~~~~~
KB
January 15th 2009 @ 9:37am
Slippery Jim said | January 15th 2009 @ 9:37am | Report comment
Kazama, are you any more likely to get to Perth or Wellington for an away game?
January 15th 2009 @ 9:46am
Slippery Jim said | January 15th 2009 @ 9:46am | Report comment
The Bear, Redb’s comments are as valid as yours. His background has nothing to do with the valid points he raises.
My brother in law is a rabid AZ Alkmaar (Eridivisie) fan, attends every match, lives in the city, yet also supports Arsenal. Just goes to show the wide appeal of the EPL.
Don’t get me wrong from my comment at the start of this blog, I desperately want our local League to thrive and become strong and respected, however, as with all aspects of Australian football, we seem to harbour a sense of entitlement. The A-League needs to earn respect, it needs to win hearts and minds on the strength of the football and the results, rather than counting on being an Australian (or Asian region, if foreign clubs are to be included) product.
January 15th 2009 @ 10:18am
Kazama said | January 15th 2009 @ 10:18am | Report comment
SJ – Those two to me are more viable than heading to Stamford Bridge. I could fly over, watch the game, and possibly fly home on the same day for either of those so time away isn’t an issue, and it would be a lot more affordable considering I’d only need to pay for flights, food and a ticket; maybe a room if I want to stay one night.
To put it another way, I would see going to Perth or Wellington as something I could do once a year, whereas going to Europe to watch a big game would be once in a life time, if that.
January 15th 2009 @ 10:37am
Redb said | January 15th 2009 @ 10:37am | Report comment
Bear,
My comments were honest and direct. Have not said anything that it is not true, I have made the mistake before re the spelling of Torres, doesn’t mean i dont reckon he’s gun. Boots those shots on goal like cannon balls.
I actually agree with the premise that the A League 2nd rate and have said so many times. I would never suggest the EPL is crap to watch, I’m not a big soccer fan but i watch my share and have every right to an opinion.
A pair ot tweasers may assist
Redb
January 15th 2009 @ 10:53am
Colin N said | January 15th 2009 @ 10:53am | Report comment
I’m quite amazed from…er watching this conversation how most of you have a huge affiliation to a EPL team, but in some ways, it is no different from some of the supporters that were born and raised in London and decided to support Man U.
It’s also interesting to see that from where I live (near Manchester), in the last couple of years, there has been an increase in people wearing Chelsea shirts.
Finally, one question – is the reason that you support an EPL team because the A-league has only recently been set up, or are there other contributing factors?
January 15th 2009 @ 11:23am
Finno said | January 15th 2009 @ 11:23am | Report comment
Conversely people in the UK are tending to get jack of the big 5 clubs. The championship is the 2nd most popular league in the world and it really is a much more open competition with the winning prize being the highest $ value in football. The EPL does draw a crowd in Australia but it getting people into football 1st and then getting them into the A-League. how many people got into football after the Aloisi goal? to get us to Germany?….
January 15th 2009 @ 11:43am
The Bear said | January 15th 2009 @ 11:43am | Report comment
Redb, I do appreciate your honesty and open-ness.. but your quote “I’m not a big soccer fan….” sums it all up. This blog seems to be about swaying the Australian EPL-fans, as Adrian states “You see them wearing their EPL shirts and at sports bars late at night watching the games. There is nothing wrong with that, you just wish they could also get behind the A-League”.
Your posting is merely yet another opportunity to tell us your opinions on the standard of the A League. Can you be honest, too??
The splinter is out. I feel much better.