Gold Coast United FC head coach and director of football, Miron Bleiberg (centre) celebrates with Football Federation Australia (FFA) CEO Ben Buckley (right) and Gold Coast United CEO Clive Mensink (left). AAP Image/Dave Hunt
Earlier this week, I opined about the lack of creativity in the A-League’s managerial and administrative ranks. Now, with the news that South Melbourne FC are on the verge of being included in this year’s Singapore FA Cup, I know where most of football’s most creative and brightest have ended up.
In the state leagues.
In an article running on the au.fourfourtwo website, Aidan Ormand reveals that: “the idea has the support of the Singapore FA and that the historic move could be signed off within days,” with Football Federation Australia backing set to follow on Monday.
First it was a player exodus from Australia to Asia and now it seems whole clubs are heading abroad in search of better opportunities.
South Melbourne Chairman Nick Galatas told Ormand that: “We believe this is a positive for Australian football as it strengthens our nation’s links within our own confederation the AFC.
“At the same time it gives clubs outside the A-League an opportunity to compete in a new competition – that’s exciting for the players and no doubt will be embraced by our fan-base.
“It will strengthen Australia’s second tier clubs and therefore strengthen our state leagues. What’s more, we don’t yet have an FA Cup style competition or a B-League here in Australia.”
South Melbourne’s “out of the box” thinking doesn’t stop there, either.
Currently the former NSL club are giving away double passes to their final game at Bob Jane Stadium for anyone who is interested.
Not only will this initiative increase one off attendance and potentially help to lift future crowd figures, it’s also a sign of a proud club acknowledging its past. Something our national governing body has regularly failed to do.
Add in South’s impressive online presence, including podcasts, social media activity and live game updates, and there’s some exciting and creative thinking going on behind the scenes at Bob Jane Stadium.
Let’s get back to the Singporean FA Cup idea, though.
While it might seem a little odd for a Victorian club to be seeking a higher level of football in South East Asia, with FFA more or less ignoring the desire of club’s like South Melbourne for better football opportunities, why shouldn’t they?
My only gripe is that our former NSL clubs have been so neglected by FFA that there’s become a need for them to head overseas in search of greener pastures.
Its becoming clear that FFA’s focus on all things “World Cup” is starting to come at the expense of the game’s health back home.
So as FFA puts aside its national cup competition concept to focus on World Cup bids and campaigns, and while football fans around the country continue to clamour for a knockout competition, South Melbourne have sourced their own alternative.
Brilliant.
Ben Buckley it’s over to you.
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Cpaaa said | April 9th 2010 @ 5:38am | Report comment
Great news, even SMFC website is better, they even have South Melbourne TV. Old Football clubs dont die, they just get stronger.
…but what a day its going to be for football news. RF to SFC. To be or not to be GCU,Souths in FA Singapore and the Europa L.
Journos to work overtime today, so get cracking.
Davidde Corran said | April 9th 2010 @ 7:56am | Report comment
It is all starting to say to me that the World Cup bid was far too early.
Rellum said | April 9th 2010 @ 8:10am | Report comment
I would normally agree Davidde that we have bid to early, if the 2022 world cup was going to be awarded separately in a few years, as would normally be the case. But as it has panned out, I think the FFA did the right thing in bidding when they did.
But I do agree that FFA has taken their eyes off the A-league, bright lights of the world stage must have blinded them. The last month has been the worst in the history of the FFA. QLD is a major concern now, there is a small chance that this time next year, all three clubs could fold.
Dogz R Barkn said | April 9th 2010 @ 9:53am | Report comment
I agree with Rellum – the FFA was stuck because of the coupling of 2018 and 2022.
If the latter had been decided up in the normal manner, i.e. in four years time – I reckon we would have been far better positioned to deliever a quality bid.
As it is, I read an article (on April 1 it has to be said) quoting Lowy that it had all been worked out and agreed between the states and the NRL/AFL.
That was 8 days ago – where’s the latest news???
I doubt it’s a case of no news is good news.
Chris said | April 9th 2010 @ 7:20am | Report comment
The A-League’s new definition of expansion: “To add teams at an equal of faster rate than we lose them.”
There one year, gone the next. It’s starting to look very NSL/NBL like.
New Zealand Knights, Gold Coast United gone.
Adelaide and North Queensland have both been on life support.
At least they have finally come to their senses and started expanding in the big cities that actually have the population to support teams.
Jay said | April 9th 2010 @ 9:27am | Report comment
didn’t realise Gold Coast United had folded!
pezz said | April 9th 2010 @ 2:39pm | Report comment
they havnt folded yet, rumours are flying everywhere but a statement was released that they are still breathing…. i think clive palmer just wants someone else to help fund his little project
mjg said | April 9th 2010 @ 8:10am | Report comment
South Melbourne’s move might push FFA to introduce an Australian FA Cup-style competition before there’s an exodus of state league clubs to Asia.
whiskeymac said | April 9th 2010 @ 9:36am | Report comment
not sure this constitutes an exodus of clubs to asia, just as the supposed exodus of players to asia never really materialised into the whole sale salughter of laying stocks envisaged by a rather sensational media response to the loss of milligan, North and a fe other fringe roos.
in fact, i see it as a psotive on may fronts. South Melbourne ar emaking themsleves stronger and relevant and are engaging in their confederation. good on them. that can only be good for all concerned. wldnt it just offer another path way for people int he game to enjoy a career, opportunities and exposure? so what if more clubs follow suit (assuming they can which i bet they can’t)
Killer_Tomatoes said | April 9th 2010 @ 8:44am | Report comment
The title of the article is pretty misleading, but I agree with what has been said anyway
Redb said | April 9th 2010 @ 8:47am | Report comment
No surprise that Gold Coast United is gone. Billionaire playthings and sporting clubs never mix well. Community owned clubs the way to go. Big LOL for you Clive.
South Melbourne Soccer Club have naming rights across the gates at Bob Jane Stadium which looks in good nick (as of yesterday).
Is the resurgence of some NSL clubs an organic form of Superleague/World Series Cricket in soccer?, interesting times especially if Viduka decides to run around for a kick with his old club the Knights.
Iron Chef said | April 9th 2010 @ 11:17am | Report comment
South Melbourne “Soccer Club” ?????
How about you refer to the name of the FOOTball club by its OFFICIAL name. http://www.smfc.com.au/
Redb said | April 9th 2010 @ 11:40am | Report comment
That’s what is says above the gates at Bob Jane Stadium (lake side).
Axel V said | April 9th 2010 @ 1:37pm | Report comment
It’s true, i also use to have a South Melbourne S.C poster.
And it had South Melbourne S.C on it’s logo in 1999.
whiskeymac said | April 9th 2010 @ 8:48am | Report comment
good news for Melbourne. thinking outside the “square” and being proactive. what a contrast to the fizzbang of Clives billionaires.
Did i miss something? was this on the books earlier on but i missed it re: GCU? the last i heard was they won they NYL and Miron was scouting in NSW Premier league.
How do the Qld fans feel? of 3 teams to 2 basket cases and one dead duck… none are looking great shakes at the moment….
In hindsight, the loss of GCU is not a total shock but it is still a disaster, it appears that, afterall, it turned out to be a rich mans plaything who had relatively no interest in the game. it is sad, not least for the players. i u/s that Clive wanted GCU to promote his mining in Asia. Was the failure to qualify the reason for pulling the pin or was it the losses re:stadiums and fans or just simply a plan that didnt pay dividends quickly enough?
any positives? still if it means the team is broken up and dispersed among the other “10″ then thats not such a bad thing for the playing standards generally.
pity that there GC Youth team (champs) were a one off.
interesting that FFA backed the community supported NQF but didnt appear to do much about GCU (almost dare i think it, were grateful it was gone with the owners issues and crowds?).
Dogz R Barkn said | April 9th 2010 @ 9:28am | Report comment
It’s an indictment on the private ownership model – I just don’t know why soccer fans are so willing to back this model.
On the one hand, I keep hearing rhetoric about community engagement, on the other hear not a bad word said about the private ownership model (which has a dreadful history in Australia).
At the end of the day, no tears will be lost for either Palmer or GCU.
The NRL is a major winner, the Titans being very well entrenched now and have a strong future.
Incredibly, the AFL was able to see of a competitor on the Gold Coast without having to do too much!!
AndyRoo said | April 9th 2010 @ 9:46am | Report comment
I just don’t know why soccer fans are so willing to back this model.
Well their is another football article today bemoaning Arsene Wegner operating a sustainable team that has been able to fund their new stadium because he hasn’t won any trophies…….
the Titans being very well entrenched now and have a strong future.
Hmmm we will see. The Stadium deal is hurting them too if the current media storm from their ex sponser/builder are true.
whiskeymac said | April 9th 2010 @ 10:24am | Report comment
no doubt. the club was always subject to Palmer’s whimsy.
was it the loss of an opportunity for FFA or a case of realising best not to throw good money after bad? w/o Palmer wld there have been a club there in the first place?
sad that what Palmer set up is all for nought – the team was very good, the NYL was impressive… all good excpet for the stadium deals and community.
MV Dave said | April 9th 2010 @ 9:24am | Report comment
Nothing but admiration for the way Sth Melb FC have conducted themselves recently and set about reinventing themselves into the modern era. Keep up the good work as it appears a club who is willing to put in the hard yards. There new $55 million ground/aths complex will be fantastic, they have recruited well this season and play attractive football, they have taken on board the digital era and are using it to full advantage and deserve any success that comes there way.
GCU were due to make a statement at 9.30am re their situation but if the GC has to go without a team for 1-2 seasons, during which time they get the model right, then so be it. Return in 2012 with community support.
Dogz R Barkn said | April 9th 2010 @ 9:30am | Report comment
MV Dave
you must be kidding – return in two years time?
The Gold Coast is gone, dead, buried, never to return.
Note that the FFA has just forked out $4 mill to keep the Fury alive, but are willing to let the Gold Coast go – the FFA have basically decidedd on the long term future of the Gold Coast – there is none.
MV Dave said | April 9th 2010 @ 9:38am | Report comment
But Dogz, as mentioned many times previously, it took both the AFL and NRL, several goes to get it right on the GC, why wont football have that opportunity?
Dogz R Barkn said | April 9th 2010 @ 9:48am | Report comment
Not sure if we can put the AFL in the same category as the NRL on this score.
But anyway, the NRL has (and always had) the strength of a core constituency in SE Queensland and Northern NSW.
The AFL has the strengh of internal immigration and deep pockets (the latter being very important).
None of us liked Clive from day one, so there’s no doubting that was part of the problem, but looked at from another perspective, GCU arose with a great deal of hype, more than any other club in the history of the A-League, and entered the comp with close to the best starting XI in the comp (it dropped away rapidly from no., 12 onwards, but that’s understandable).
It’s really difficult to imagine that after all that, the FFA could give it another go.
AndyRoo said | April 9th 2010 @ 11:10am | Report comment
It’s really difficult to imagine that after all that, the FFA could give it another go
I don’t agree, yes they had a strong team but that’s only one element of a successful team.
They weren’t loveable at all and had the highest ticket prices in the league.
I would have prefferred to be a Fury fan (finished 7th) than a GCU fan (finished 3rd) this season so having a good team isn’t enough.
Their good team wasn’t even that great because their coach didn’t have a great season so the midfield was often disfunctional and disjointed which was at times extremely painful to watch.
A team with less abrassive owners and playing in a more appropriate venue or with more appropriate prices would be a totally different prospect. They totally ignored Northern NSW apparently (despite promises) so I don’t think they were an adequate representation of the potential for football on the Coast. Much like the Seagulls vs Titans.
I imagine in a stadium with a capacity of 12k the Beach would generate quite a good atmosphere and it would be a good day/night out.
Australian Football said | April 9th 2010 @ 10:37am | Report comment
MVDave,
never mind what Dogz (3rd Pippi identity) says GCU will return..
——–
AF
whiskeymac said | April 9th 2010 @ 12:34pm | Report comment
interestingly what wld happen to all those players on contracts – if the club “ceased” wld they miss out on transfer fees? surely if it was all about money this wld be a missed opportunity to recoup money on players like culina and smeltz.
AndyRoo said | April 9th 2010 @ 9:52am | Report comment
According to the Daily Telgraph Fraser is out
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/soccer/a-league-boss-quits/story-e6frey4r-1225851704335
MV Dave said | April 9th 2010 @ 10:03am | Report comment
As you said earlier Andy FoxSports have spoken to Palmer this morning and he has denied withdrawing his support of GCU…maybe something to do with AF rersignation (if he has in fact resigned?).
AndyRoo said | April 9th 2010 @ 10:38am | Report comment
If the Fraser report turns out to be false as well….. I wonder if AFL fans are going to come out with theories where trying to sabotage their massive weekend of AFL (according to Redb’s article)
MV Dave said | April 9th 2010 @ 10:41am | Report comment
Talk of GCU demise is rubbished by CEO Clive Mensink (from SBS site;
http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/986422/Gold-Coast-fold-talk-rubbished
Still havent seen anything else about AF’s resignation
Australian Football said | April 9th 2010 @ 11:01am | Report comment
MVDave,
thanks for the link and support for the GCU FC and good riddance to Archie Fraser—he was too much involved with the AFL to be of any benefit to the FFA.. What we need in Football are more Football Men getting involved, with now the Colchester United owner Jonathan Crisp a new potential backer coming on board to help with the running of the club.
——-
AF
MV Dave said | April 9th 2010 @ 12:01pm | Report comment
Hang in there AF…looks like you may need to take a few extra locals with you next season.
BTW No mention of any overseas football thanks…still receiving counselling after the last horror week!!
AndyRoo said | April 9th 2010 @ 11:16am | Report comment
That isn’t exactly rubbishing the report though…. their is plenty of warning signs in their.
Mesnik, Miren, Palmer….. I wouldn’t miss them.
Cpaaa said | April 9th 2010 @ 11:43am | Report comment
I actually think the three amigos are characters of the game. I would miss the big fellow.
MV Dave said | April 9th 2010 @ 11:50am | Report comment
Interesting that the good news stories on Palmer seem to get pushed under the carpet…he paid for 50 families of players staff etc to go and watch the NYL Grand Final involving GCU Youth recently…suppose doesnt really fit in with the persona the media have built about him.
BTW No doubt GCU need to do plenty off the field for next season…but if they stick around for a few years building support slowly then hey maybe they become a permanent fixture on the GC and some of the thousands moving to that region in the next decade or so may well be appreciative of the current efforts to keep the club going.
Dogz R Barkn said | April 9th 2010 @ 12:00pm | Report comment
I’m sure he is misunderstood and has a heart of gold (cash flow permitting).
Dogz R Barkn said | April 9th 2010 @ 10:56am | Report comment
The GCU and Palmer story has had currency for over a month – there’s plenty in the story.
Dogz R Barkn said | April 9th 2010 @ 12:07pm | Report comment
Here’s an update from Cockerill in the SMH:
http://www.smh.com.au/sport/a-league/aleague-operations-boss-quits-over-queensland-clubs-fallout-20100409-rw3k.html
If he’s running it, looks like the GCU and Fraser story are bang on the money (and that they are inextricably linked).
MV Dave said | April 9th 2010 @ 12:29pm | Report comment
and the latest from the World Game…Frasier to parachute in as the Acting CEO of NQF…wow hard to keep up:
http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/986522/Fraser-to-take-reins-at-Fury
TBH sounds like a decent move as the 3 Queensland clubs do need extra help at the moment.
AndyRoo said | April 9th 2010 @ 12:39pm | Report comment
Oh DT
Quits is a lot more dramatic than taking a new role closer to his home.
Thanks for posting that MV Dave.
MV Dave said | April 9th 2010 @ 12:46pm | Report comment
OK which AFL/club CEO can we next pinch for the HAL job?? AD anyone??? Great chance for him to work in a real pressure cooker environment
Wouldn’t have to stockpile any more crates of champers 
Could even put himself in a position to get some free 2022 WC final tickets! That would have to make the switch worth it. 
Rob Gremio said | April 9th 2010 @ 12:47pm | Report comment
It seems you beat me to it, MV Dave. I posted this at the bottom of the comments…
whiskeymac said | April 9th 2010 @ 12:47pm | Report comment
“while Palmer looks to have signed the death warrant for his own club, his wealth could help save another, with one of his companies, Queensland Nickel, believed to be ready to upgrade its deal as major sponsor of North Queensland Fury.
”
so does this make him a saviour?
a few conflicting reports out there on GCU, will be interesting to see what happens when the dust settles (or the fire is put out because there’s a lot of smoke clouding events at the moment (apologies for terrible mishmash of cliched sayings) .
Fowler to SFC gone under the radar media wise?
if GCU fold, wd the Beach support the Roar? a few 1000 more in the crowd wldnt hurt their bottom line….
Rob Gremio said | April 9th 2010 @ 1:44pm | Report comment
I doubt the Beach would – especially after the stick they gave the Roar all season. They were total (insert expletive here) at the two games I watched at Suncorp Stadium. I dare say they wouldn’t be welcome by a lot of the Roar fans. Certainly I have no love for them.
But the fans that switched allegiance due to the GC team being closer to home might, and they would be welcome.
Lu said | April 9th 2010 @ 9:56am | Report comment
World cup bid is a dead duck. Not only were the other codes are amking a sport of shooting it down.. But now it seems that the Football is in such shambles that entire teams look to pissing off to Asia.
Good Old times!!!
Every man and team for themselves.. I love it.
Me thinks it’s time for another Crawford report.
TheMagnificent11 said | April 9th 2010 @ 10:20am | Report comment
I agree. The FFA should find a way to include state league clubs. There is a lot of talented players in the state leagues. It now appears that there are a lot of clever administrators there too. Also, some football fans in this country prefer to watch their local state league club over their city’s A-League club because they feel more connected to the state league club. These fans still pay top dollar to watch the Socceroos because they feel a connection with the team. At the moment, football in this country needs all the fans it can get for its domestic competition. This mean embracing state clubs and their fans.