I know 442 readers hammered Archie Fraser a bit on the Roar’s ticket prices something he couldn’t really do anything about. They were after all a private business and him saying anything negative would be a PR disaster and could be a case for legal action. Imagine the headline “FFA say Roar are rip off”

A few weeks ago it became public that the Roar were going to ask the FFA for a 1 million dollar cash injection, and I can’t help but wonder if the change in policy is related. I imagine that might have been one of the conditions on the injection so as to stop Archie having to answer angry emails.

If so “thanks Archie” I enjoyed the $15 tickets very much. They were actually better seats than the ones I got for the Gold Coast game, which cost $32 each.

Obviously we need football people involved in ownership, but it also needs non football Business people to put money up and to see the value, we do have a couple of clubs owned by the FFA remember? So any rash removal of licenses may not be the best idea, as it may put off potential investors more than is already the case

Interesting to note the difference in approach between Roar and GCU, Roar is a marketers approach to cut prices, whereas GCU is a mining magnates approach which is to try to cut operating costs. It may take a while for Roars crowds to trickle back as a lot of people would have thought “stuff it” at the start of the season, so far they have been effectively no responsive to changes in ticket prices which has perhaps affected GCU’s decision. perhaps not though given they made the decision two weeks ago when they wouldn’t have really been able to assess the impact of Roars changes

Will be interesting to see how this pans out.

What was the attendance at the last GCU vs SFC match? I think 6kish but not certain?

Is it any surprise that crowds are falling if there is no promotion of the game?

For example I just got my latest Hyundai A-League eNews three hours ago – too bad it was promoting Round 13 (this last weekend). Now that newsletter is the responsibility of the FFA but Hyundai should have the list seeded and be screaming if it does not get delivered by at least the Thursday before the games.

We recently bought a new Hyundai. Good value cars and we were partially influenced by their sponsorship of the HA-L. But there was not one skerrick of A-League promotional material at the dealers and the sales person did not seem to be aware of the sponsorship.

The very least “somebody” should be doing is making sure that purchasers get complimentary tickets for a game or two at the nearest A-L ground.

1. they’ll move heaven and Earth to save 2 cents; on the other hand
2. they’ll spend the Earth just to get up someone’s nose.

In other words, it’s far too hard trying to rationalise what he might do under various scenarios – but I reckon it’s unlikely he’ll just walk away without making some noise.

Of course, Pip, you are assuming that Palmer wants to keep the license. I am not at all sure about that.

My concern is that Palmer isn’t a man who looks likely to compromise – but then again, he brokers iron ore deals with the Chinese, so he must be able to negotiate if he has to.

As for my season ticket – I shelved it last week, didn’t go the game and am currently planning to write it off and take the train up to Suncorp, where at least the owners have shown themselves willing to think again. Sitting watching Gold Coast lose to Sydney in front of 1500 people (yes it will be worse after the train no show debacle) is not my idea of a good night out.

And that is what football is in the end. A good night out. Correction, Mr Palmer – an affordable good night out.

I feel for GCU fans but the FFA can’t be too heavy handed. Just ride it out and be ready to take over if he wants to hand back his license.

Given his arrogance and myopic detachment from reality, it is hard to see Palmer backing down. This is likely to get much worse before it gets better. If he doesn’t change tack for this weekend, the FFA will have no option but move to take control of the club out of his hands.