By Mike Tuckerman
July 9th 2009 @ 12:36am
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Rejuvenated Perth Glory great for the A-League
Perth's Wayne Shroj (22) and Sydney's Beau Busch go for the ball during Round 16 of the Hyundai A-League between Sydney FC and Perth Glory in Sydney, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2008. Perth won 4-1. AAP Image/Jenny Evans
Expect a steady stream of positive news stories to come out of the A-League this season. There’s a real buzz about the competition, which kicks off in less than a month.
No where is that more the case than in the west, where Perth Glory are banking on some high-profile signings to return them to their halcyon days.
The Glory’s fall from grace echoed that of the competition they once dominated.
There were muted celebrations when South African coach Mich d’Avray lead them to their second straight title in the old National Soccer League, with the Grand Final victory signalling the end of an era.
When Glory resurfaced in the new eight-team A-League in 2005, much of their lustre had vanished.
Curiously for a league so insistent on removing so-called “ethnic ties” from its clubs, not much was made of the fact that Perth called upon a significant proportion of British expatriates to swell crowds on the terraces.
That British link resurfaced in the form of coach Steve McMahon – undoubtedly one of the worst advertisements for football we’ve ever seen in this country.
Not only did he sign his catastrophically underwhelming son Steve McMahon Jr, but he also oversaw the arrival of creaking veteran Brian Deane as the club’s inaugural marquee signing.
Their arrivals triggered a long period of mismanagement that saw club ownership change hands and supporters depart in droves.
So dire were circumstances that whispers abounded that Perth might even lose its A-League licence.
The appointment of former Socceroos striker Dave Mitchell as coach appears to have had a stabilising effect, and Glory were slightly unlucky not to make the finals last season.
As a coach, Mitchell has his critics – but the man with the Glaswegian brogue surely has no better chance to steer his side into its first A-League finals campaign now that six teams qualify for the playoffs.
Mitchell has argued that the salary cap is particularly harsh on Perth, with the general cost of living too high to entice players to pack up and head west from the more populous eastern states.
However, it hasn’t stopped Perth from landing several high-profile signings, with Socceroo midfielders Mile Sterjovski and Jacob Burns returning from Europe to link up with English defender Andy Todd and Serbian striker Branko Jelic.
Perth are also close to securing the services of fellow Australian international Chris Coyne, whose brother Jamie is the current captain of the club.
The elder Coyne’s arrival from English club Colchester United will spark further optimism for the new campaign.
Like coach Mitchell, current owner Tony Sage also has his critics. But no one can deny that the flamboyant businessman has stamped his authority on the club with some impressive recruiting.
What Glory need now is to try and win back the community that once backed them to a hilt.
Amidst all the talk of the A-League being embraced by Australian football fans, it hasn’t gone unnoticed that Perth’s crowds have dropped alarmingly since the days of the NSL.
Fans have long complained of draconian treatment at the hands of club officials, while their tenancy at the piecemeal-built Member’s Equity Stadium has also come under scrutiny.
Nevertheless, a modicum of success on the pitch could see some of those stay-away fans return to cheer on their side once again.
The pressure is now on Dave Mitchell to grind out results, but the hard-nosed tactician appears unphased by the level of expectation.
Regardless of your allegiance, a healthy Perth Glory means a strong A-League. With the less than a month to go, the start of the new campaign can’t come quickly enough.
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Midfielder said | July 9th 2009 @ 4:51am | Report comment
Mike
Good read, having Perth do well with a decent team can only be good for the league I agree… will post more latter work calls..
Robbos said | July 9th 2009 @ 6:29am | Report comment
I’m looking forward to this season with the new teams, the new marquee players like Culina, Sterjovski, Fowler etc. I think MV will see stronger competition from SFC, PG & GC especially. We have the world cup buzz, both the competition on the field & the jockeying for the rights in 2018/2022. It’s all happening.
Kurt, Yawwwwwwwn.
MVDave said | July 9th 2009 @ 8:06am | Report comment
” the declining crowds, ongoing dependence on one club to generate nearly half the attendance, massive drop off in corporate support, over-priced has-been imports or the mostly empty stadiums?” Geez Kurt is that Swans your talking about…or perhaps Port Adelaide…no maybe North Melbourne??
How you finished reading the New York Times and all those football articles….yesterdays lead sports story on womens football…boy you must be looking forward to next years World Cup!
Mike
it would be terrific for the HAL if Glory have a successful season. The signs are certainly good and l predict, if they sign Coyne, a top 4 finish for Glory.
Andrew said | July 9th 2009 @ 9:22am | Report comment
I think most neutrals are pleased too see the Glory make a come back.
The Wolves vs Glory grandfinal was the best spectacle ever in the NSL and Glory were the first team to show the potential of appealing to a wider demographic.
GeneralAshnak said | July 9th 2009 @ 9:42am | Report comment
Kurt: why do you even bother to post on these articles? If you have no interest in football then stick to AFL or NRL or basketball or what ever sport you follow, your posts are always the same and extremely boring.
Agree Mike, it has been a very disapointing period for those who remember the NSL Perth Glory – who were indeed a glorious team. It is nice to see that there is a bit of overall development of strength in the HAL, we need the competition to remain close whilst continuing to grow. No one wants to see it develop in an EPL fashion where the same few teams win the comp every year and each team added just provide them with someone else to humiliate over the course of the season.
Ben of Phnom Penh said | July 9th 2009 @ 10:59am | Report comment
Perth will be a team to look out for this year. They will be hungry for success and I do not doubt that their recent signings will also have a lot to prove with 2010 around the corner. The opening match between Perth and Adelaide should be an absolute cracker.
You are right, Mike, this season does have a buzz about it with the new teams, 2010 looming and a plethora of green and gold signings for the competition. It is going to be fun.
NUFCMVFC said | July 9th 2009 @ 11:34am | Report comment
Nice article Mike,
Have to remember though one issue is the FFA not allowing them to celebrate 10 years, + the FFA putting ROn Smith in there, not to mention rumours that when Sage et al took over they were compelled to keep Ron Smith on. Has done a lot of good youth work and is back there now but questions have to be asked about the FFA’s place in keeping a “mate” in there when it’s not necassarily in the best interests of the club if this is true. Then after their mismanagement has played a role in turning a previously well supported team into crowds as low as 4k, they turn around and say they would have to “re-consider the license” because they are underperforming?
But generally the longish term deal (relatively) given to Mitchell seems to have helped, they have stabilised and really look to have recruited well so I personally expect them to perform fairly potently, they should definitely make the top 6, as they look a lot stronger than many of the other teams such as NQ, AUFC which don’t really seem like they have really replaced some of their players who have left, NJFC who look like a rabble – does Branko have enough time to pull a squad together? Not entirely sure about CCM going by their form this year either etc and WPFC have a job on their hands trying to replace Smeltz
I would say that in terms of on field issue, there is a bit of a buzz, as Gold Coast should be good value, Melbourne have retained most of the Championship winning team which is great, Sydney FC have their detractors but they nearly won the Premierhsip under Kosmina and they were top after round 8 but regardless of the fact that people have over exagerrated they seem tobe quite happy under Lavicka who comes across as their most cultured coach yet, and then Perth look decent so a fairly strong top 4 IMO. Although for me personally as a Melbourne fan I have my concerns on off-field issues on my mind which erodes any sense of excited anticipation of the new season…
But anyway let’s hoe Perth start to get a fair few of their old fans back and start heading back in the right direction which I’m sure they will, the Boxing Day crowd of 13k last season was an encouraging sign that the potential is there. Not to mention their new logo and playing strip look great which will help with the positive mood
rob said | July 9th 2009 @ 11:40am | Report comment
The most disapointing aspect is that the Glory’s memebrship levels are well down on this time last year. If Perth Want a team it has to be supported.
GeneralAshnak said | July 9th 2009 @ 11:54am | Report comment
Actually the overall facelift of the league with the new kits, names and clubs is helping to foster this sense of anticipation. NQF have done their level best top burst the optimism bubble, but GCU, PG and SFC have managed to keep it nicely inflated. The count down to the new season is well and truely on!
beaver fever said | July 9th 2009 @ 12:04pm | Report comment
With around 200,000 poms living in Perth if they can’t make it work there can they ever do it.
Mackey said | July 9th 2009 @ 12:18pm | Report comment
Nice piece Mike. It is indeed going to be a bumper season for the HAL this time round and hopefully Perth will be up there, barring injuries, their key players added to the mix of players like Dadi, Sikora and Pellegrino Perth should push for a high place finish, if not a premiership plate.
StiflersMom said | July 9th 2009 @ 12:59pm | Report comment
Perth are paying $15 to take the championship, I reckon there is some momey to be made there, best odds I’ve seen I’d say. All the new signings, I can’t wait for the next season but I wish it was still a top 4 finish!
GeneralAshnak said | July 9th 2009 @ 1:30pm | Report comment
Agree about the top 4, would be better for the comp to be a top 4 this year and a top 6 when they get to 14 teams. Less than half the comp should be in the finals series (if we must have one).
Andrew said | July 9th 2009 @ 2:07pm | Report comment
I think its allready been covered enough about the 4 to 6 team finals but I will chip in my 5c
I can live with finals but having 6 teams deems the regualr season nearly irrelevent and the actual finals themselves less interesting. NQ could just say we are only going to play Fowler at home gomes until the finals start and that would prolly be a good strategy if he doesn’t get back to 100% fitness.
Too many teams making the finals has damaged rugby league for sure, when it was a top 5 the comp was really exciting and you cared about who was going to make the finals. And you watched nearly every game.Sure some other things have happened to damage rugby league but the devaluing of the regualr season is the one thing that bothers me (sorry but I dont care if someone pood in someones shoe, it wouldn’t effect my enjoyment of the game)
Finals should be exciting and create a buzz, they should also be close to selling out if not sold out.
first vs Second playing off to host the GF is exciting
3rd vs 4th playing for survival is exciting.
I am going to make an effort too see those games regarldess of who is playing
1st vs 6th or however it’s going to work not so. Sure you get the good games after that week but the damage has allready been done to the image of that years finals campaign.
Top 8 seesm to work in AFL.. but I don’t think it works in general.
whiskeymac said | July 9th 2009 @ 2:42pm | Report comment
good read – perth the sleeping giants? hopefully they wake up in season 5 – they certainly have the makings of a great squad. wondered how they would survive the loss of Ruky. the answer is quite well. I remember reading that the fans were seriously annoyed about their treatment by the FFA stewards a season or two back. lets hope the fans are given some room for expression in supporting the club. are there any perth supporters who can advise what the club is doing to promote themselves?
Pull out said | March 11th 2010 @ 3:03pm (2 weeks ago) | Report comment
The A-League didn’t turn out to have that great a season afterall.
North Qld, on the verge of collapse. Ad U. still in administration, the Gold Coast empty stadiums….
Still it is on a par with the NRL, so it is not too bad.
Maybe 2010-2011 will be better.