Comments on: The Horn of Africa comes to the aid of the Apple Isle http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/03/20/the-horn-of-africa-comes-to-the-aid-of-the-apple-isle/ Your Sports Opinion Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:27:51 +0000 hourly 1 By: Charles http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/03/20/the-horn-of-africa-comes-to-the-aid-of-the-apple-isle/comment-page-2/#comment-128970 Charles Mon, 23 Mar 2009 11:33:23 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=16492#comment-128970 There seems to be some negativity around this sheik news even within communities which are supposedly supportive of football. I read on one blog today that FFA should "redirect the sheik towards West Sydney or Melbourne II bids". I'm sorry, but if TUFC made contact and did the hard work, why should WS or Melb reap the rewards? There seems to be some negativity around this sheik news even within communities which are supposedly supportive of football. I read on one blog today that FFA should “redirect the sheik towards West Sydney or Melbourne II bids”. I’m sorry, but if TUFC made contact and did the hard work, why should WS or Melb reap the rewards?

]]> By: jimbo http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/03/20/the-horn-of-africa-comes-to-the-aid-of-the-apple-isle/comment-page-2/#comment-128548 jimbo Sun, 22 Mar 2009 11:22:23 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=16492#comment-128548 Mid, 12 teams is about right – we don’t have the revenues or players to sustain many more in the next few years. The talent drain with the new AFC rules about foreign players and the salaries are at least double, so it’s becoming increasingly harder to keep good players. There is a whole A-League competition of players overseas and if you took your best players out of any league, the league would suffer. The more popular and visible the A-League becomes internationally the more attractive our players become. Lifting the salary cap is not an answer just yet as most clubs can’t afford to pay their players any more. The financial strain will take us back to the old NSL days of clubs going broke every year. State leagues and youth leagues are offering greater opportunities than ever to become professional football players and are the solution to filling the playing rosters. We also need clubs to do some scouting and smarter buying of foreign and Asian players, there are thousands of them and some good value players coming on the market all the time. The Nix is an AFC issue – not an FFA one – FFA definitely want a NZ team in the A-League and it will be whether the AFC accepts them or not. If not, there are plenty of bids lining up to take their place. Interesting Buckley interview – I laughed out loud when he said Pimbo’s not criticising the A-League! He also said 80% of Aussies support our FIFA WC bid – very AFL of him to come out with stats like that. :) Mid,
12 teams is about right – we don’t have the revenues or players to sustain many more in the next few years.
The talent drain with the new AFC rules about foreign players and the salaries are at least double, so it’s becoming increasingly harder to keep good players.

There is a whole A-League competition of players overseas and if you took your best players out of any league, the league would suffer.
The more popular and visible the A-League becomes internationally the more attractive our players become.
Lifting the salary cap is not an answer just yet as most clubs can’t afford to pay their players any more. The financial strain will take us back to the old NSL days of clubs going broke every year.
State leagues and youth leagues are offering greater opportunities than ever to become professional football players and are the solution to filling the playing rosters. We also need clubs to do some scouting and smarter buying of foreign and Asian players, there are thousands of them and some good value players coming on the market all the time.

The Nix is an AFC issue – not an FFA one – FFA definitely want a NZ team in the A-League and it will be whether the AFC accepts them or not.
If not, there are plenty of bids lining up to take their place.

Interesting Buckley interview – I laughed out loud when he said Pimbo’s not criticising the A-League!
He also said 80% of Aussies support our FIFA WC bid – very AFL of him to come out with stats like that. :)

]]> By: Midfielder http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/03/20/the-horn-of-africa-comes-to-the-aid-of-the-apple-isle/comment-page-2/#comment-128537 Midfielder Sun, 22 Mar 2009 10:25:56 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=16492#comment-128537 Jimbo A couple of points for discussion, first do we accept all bids and bring in two teams per year over the next 5 seasons, second given BB interview on SBS today the Nix issue is not resolved how hard do you fight to keep the NIx in.. what do they bring accept NZ development. Jimbo

A couple of points for discussion, first do we accept all bids and bring in two teams per year over the next 5 seasons, second given BB interview on SBS today the Nix issue is not resolved how hard do you fight to keep the NIx in.. what do they bring accept NZ development.

]]> By: jimbo http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/03/20/the-horn-of-africa-comes-to-the-aid-of-the-apple-isle/comment-page-2/#comment-128525 jimbo Sun, 22 Mar 2009 09:55:40 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=16492#comment-128525 Mike Cockerill seems a bit more positive about the Saudi Shiek’s interest and Tassie’s chances: http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/football/a-league/ethiopian-billionaire-linked-to-tassie-bid/2009/03/17/1237054820880.html Its also thought the 11th A-League licence has already gone to the second Melb team and the others are fighting for the 12th spot in 2010. The FFA has a difficult decision on its hands with the other 5 bids – 2 Sydney west, 1 Wollongong, 1 Canberra and 1 Tassie all ticking the right boxes and coming together nicely. Mike Cockerill seems a bit more positive about the Saudi Shiek’s interest and Tassie’s chances:
http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/football/a-league/ethiopian-billionaire-linked-to-tassie-bid/2009/03/17/1237054820880.html

Its also thought the 11th A-League licence has already gone to the second Melb team and the others are fighting for the 12th spot in 2010.
The FFA has a difficult decision on its hands with the other 5 bids – 2 Sydney west, 1 Wollongong, 1 Canberra and 1 Tassie all ticking the right boxes and coming together nicely.

]]> By: jimbo http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/03/20/the-horn-of-africa-comes-to-the-aid-of-the-apple-isle/comment-page-2/#comment-128519 jimbo Sun, 22 Mar 2009 09:42:40 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=16492#comment-128519 Howay the lads, :) a rich Arab Sheik looking at the map of Tasmania and trying to buy and opening for himself. Howay the lads,
:) a rich Arab Sheik looking at the map of Tasmania and trying to buy and opening for himself.

]]> By: The Auteur http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/03/20/the-horn-of-africa-comes-to-the-aid-of-the-apple-isle/comment-page-2/#comment-128386 The Auteur Sat, 21 Mar 2009 22:17:51 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=16492#comment-128386 If TUFC get Ghotbi, hopefully other clubs will also get good foreign coaches. If TUFC get Ghotbi, hopefully other clubs will also get good foreign coaches.

]]> By: Mike Tuckerman http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/03/20/the-horn-of-africa-comes-to-the-aid-of-the-apple-isle/comment-page-2/#comment-127872 Mike Tuckerman Fri, 20 Mar 2009 01:28:25 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=16492#comment-127872 I think several clubs in the J. League would like to get their hands on Afshin Ghotbi, not to mention the K-League. He could be the big one that got away, I'm afraid (for some reason the name Dettmar Cramer is now flashing before my eyes). I think several clubs in the J. League would like to get their hands on Afshin Ghotbi, not to mention the K-League. He could be the big one that got away, I’m afraid (for some reason the name Dettmar Cramer is now flashing before my eyes).

]]> By: Brian Weekes http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/03/20/the-horn-of-africa-comes-to-the-aid-of-the-apple-isle/comment-page-1/#comment-127869 Brian Weekes Fri, 20 Mar 2009 01:26:16 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=16492#comment-127869 I was waiting for a Manfred to show up. Typical kind of comment you can come to expect from someone with a bad attitude against Tasmanians. One of them was on another site dribbling that we would only get 2000 in a paddock for a while and that would be all. Funny how we get 8k + just to friendly matches. Those kind of people have never been to Tasmania, don't ever want to, honestly believe they are better than Tasmanians and would like nothing better than to see Tasmania sink into the sea. I myself, I come from New South Wales and have both lived and worked in Tasmania. I hope they do get a team and I would love to see it develop a strong rivalry with the Victorian clubs. The fact is that it is good for football in Australia to see a Tasmanian team. I was waiting for a Manfred to show up. Typical kind of comment you can come to expect from someone with a bad attitude against Tasmanians. One of them was on another site dribbling that we would only get 2000 in a paddock for a while and that would be all.
Funny how we get 8k + just to friendly matches. Those kind of people have never been to Tasmania, don’t ever want to, honestly believe they are better than Tasmanians and would like nothing better than to see Tasmania sink into the sea.
I myself, I come from New South Wales and have both lived and worked in Tasmania. I hope they do get a team and I would love to see it develop a strong rivalry with the Victorian clubs.
The fact is that it is good for football in Australia to see a Tasmanian team.

]]> By: Howay the lads http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/03/20/the-horn-of-africa-comes-to-the-aid-of-the-apple-isle/comment-page-1/#comment-127860 Howay the lads Fri, 20 Mar 2009 01:02:43 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=16492#comment-127860 Horn of Africa and Tassie Map is a good fit I would have thought Horn of Africa and Tassie Map is a good fit I would have thought

]]> By: Cpaaa http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/03/20/the-horn-of-africa-comes-to-the-aid-of-the-apple-isle/comment-page-1/#comment-127841 Cpaaa Fri, 20 Mar 2009 00:28:12 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=16492#comment-127841 could not have said it simpler meathead. what taz will essentially become is what Gençlerbirligi does with our socceroos to Europe. could not have said it simpler meathead. what taz will essentially become is what Gençlerbirligi does with our socceroos to Europe.

]]> By: Manfred the Milko http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/03/20/the-horn-of-africa-comes-to-the-aid-of-the-apple-isle/comment-page-1/#comment-127825 Manfred the Milko Fri, 20 Mar 2009 00:02:48 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=16492#comment-127825 The Tassie bid is all BS ... it is empty The Tassie bid is all BS … it is empty

]]> By: Jesse Fink http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/03/20/the-horn-of-africa-comes-to-the-aid-of-the-apple-isle/comment-page-1/#comment-127823 Jesse Fink Thu, 19 Mar 2009 23:55:37 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=16492#comment-127823 Last I heard from Afshin Ghotbi he was being courted by club teams in Japan, Europe and the Middle East and he didn't mention Tasmania to me in those discussions. But, hey, you never know. Last I heard from Afshin Ghotbi he was being courted by club teams in Japan, Europe and the Middle East and he didn’t mention Tasmania to me in those discussions. But, hey, you never know.

]]> By: metalboxhead http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/03/20/the-horn-of-africa-comes-to-the-aid-of-the-apple-isle/comment-page-1/#comment-127810 metalboxhead Thu, 19 Mar 2009 23:32:04 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=16492#comment-127810 This is all starting to make more sense now. A relationship with Tassie will give these African footballers (who are not as favoured as Nigerians or Ivorians) an opportunity to prove themselves in a Western league that's scouted by European / Asian clubs. In exchange we get the $$$$. Works quite nicely. This is all starting to make more sense now. A relationship with Tassie will give these African footballers (who are not as favoured as Nigerians or Ivorians) an opportunity to prove themselves in a Western league that’s scouted by European / Asian clubs. In exchange we get the $$$$. Works quite nicely.

]]> By: Pippinu http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/03/20/the-horn-of-africa-comes-to-the-aid-of-the-apple-isle/comment-page-1/#comment-127754 Pippinu Thu, 19 Mar 2009 22:30:01 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=16492#comment-127754 The mouse that roared. The mouse that roared.

]]> By: StiflersMom http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/03/20/the-horn-of-africa-comes-to-the-aid-of-the-apple-isle/comment-page-1/#comment-127727 StiflersMom Thu, 19 Mar 2009 21:26:06 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=16492#comment-127727 It's all good to hear Jesse, I hope the FFA are seriously thinking of making it 14 teams becuase I'm sure their heart is already set on a 2nd Sydney team, so much so the bidders for that don't need any PR. It’s all good to hear Jesse, I hope the FFA are seriously thinking of making it 14 teams becuase I’m sure their heart is already set on a 2nd Sydney team, so much so the bidders for that don’t need any PR.

]]> By: Cpaaa http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/03/20/the-horn-of-africa-comes-to-the-aid-of-the-apple-isle/comment-page-1/#comment-127725 Cpaaa Thu, 19 Mar 2009 21:19:48 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=16492#comment-127725 well done on the detective work jaymz. these cats are just the sort of people needed to up the ante on the a-league. never would i have thought, that little island close to antarctica would make a name for itself through football. Across Australia, Asia and who knows, perhaps the world. Already i can picture a report on Tasmania Utd on Futbol Mundial. West Sydney might just have to starve a little longer. well done on the detective work jaymz. these cats are just the sort of people needed to up the ante on the a-league.
never would i have thought, that little island close to antarctica would make a name for itself through football. Across Australia, Asia and who knows, perhaps the world. Already i can picture a report on Tasmania Utd on Futbol Mundial.
West Sydney might just have to starve a little longer.

]]> By: jaymz http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/03/20/the-horn-of-africa-comes-to-the-aid-of-the-apple-isle/comment-page-1/#comment-127684 jaymz Thu, 19 Mar 2009 16:10:22 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=16492#comment-127684 Jess i know your not going to reveal the coach, but i will its Afshin Ghotbi. How do i know, well you are a huge supporter of him (rightly so), A while back you also mentioned that one of the bidding franchises were interested in speaking with him, and on their website there is an article talking about an interview (that failed due to technical reasons) on hobart fm with him. I live in west sydney and i would really love a team out here, but if Tassie is trying to sign Ghotbi then he will bring alot of asian/gulf players and hopefully make the A-league the best in asia like he stated, on top of this Amoudi is richer than Roman Abramovich acording to Forbes. Well lets just say i would be happy to miss out for the sake of this bid, in the long term it is so much better for the game, and realistically its not a matter of if West sydney get a team, but when. Jess i know your not going to reveal the coach, but i will its Afshin Ghotbi. How do i know, well you are a huge supporter of him (rightly so), A while back you also mentioned that one of the bidding franchises were interested in speaking with him, and on their website there is an article talking about an interview (that failed due to technical reasons) on hobart fm with him. I live in west sydney and i would really love a team out here, but if Tassie is trying to sign Ghotbi then he will bring alot of asian/gulf players and hopefully make the A-league the best in asia like he stated, on top of this Amoudi is richer than Roman Abramovich acording to Forbes. Well lets just say i would be happy to miss out for the sake of this bid, in the long term it is so much better for the game, and realistically its not a matter of if West sydney get a team, but when.

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