“Old soccer” invading “new football”
Roar Guru By apaway, 26 Jun 2011 apaway is a Roar Guru
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Okay, so the title is tongue-in-cheek. While I realise that the birth of the A-League certainly signalled a fresh and at times innovative approach to the game at club level, there were perhaps better ways to leave behind the era of the National Soccer League than by labelling it “old soccer”.
Two appointments this week illustrate that the links between the NSL and the A-League continue to get stronger and hopefully lead to progress for the individuals and clubs involved.
Both Francis Awaritefe and Paul Trimbole won NSL titles and shone as what the A-League might now term “marquee” players.
Melbourne Victory and Brisbane Roar have added respectively, the two to their coaching staff. “New football” analyst Robbie Slater, a player of “old soccer” with Northern Spirit, couldn’t understand the appointment of Awaritefe, who joined new “old soccer” stalwart Mehmet Durakovic at the Victory.
“Old soccer’s” Paul Trimbole has joined fellow “old soccer” warrior and total “new football” convert Ange Postecoglou at the new-age, new football pin-up boys at the Roar.
It’s all a bit dumb, isn’t it?
I mean, “old soccer” identities have been part of “new football” since the A-League’s inception.
John Kosmina, Branko Culina, Miron Bleiberg, Frank Farina, Lawrie McKinna, Alex Tobin, Ian Ferguson, David Mitchell, Graham Arnold – just to name a few – have had or have coaching positions with A-League clubs.
I’m not even going to try and go into the players, who have straddled both sides of the mythical divide for they are numerous.
Off the pitch, Andy Harper, Nick Meredith and Ross Aloisi draw on their considerable experience at those “old soccer” venues like Middle Park, Perry Park, Schintler Reserve, Marconi Stadium and St George Stadium to provide commentary on players treading the “new football” turf at A-League venues around the country.
Even some of the clubs are “old soccer”-inspired.
Adelaide United and Perth Glory played in the NSL. The Brisbane Roar were originally to be known as the Queensland Lions in a nod to their heritage link to the Brisbane Lions, until the AFL club of the same name stepped in (like football fans would ever confuse the two).
The Newcastle Jets were run by Con Constantine until this season when Nathan Tinkler bought them and just about every other sporting franchise in the Hunter.
Without doubt, Sydney and Melbourne is where the greatest change occurred.
Six seasons on, regardless of what their off-field perils may be, the Victory and Sydney FC are the two most successful clubs in the A-League.
There can be no doubt that “old soccer” laid the foundation for the rise of both clubs, just as it is true that the eventual mismanagement and insurmountable restrictions of those former NSL clubs led to the existence of the A-League’s two fiercest rivals.
However, let’s not deny history or ignore the harsh lessons learned from the formative years of club football for the NSL was truly a pioneering competition.
And stalwarts from those pioneering days are making contributions to the still-young A-League in greater numbers each season.
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- Adelaide United, Alex Tobin, Andy Harper, Branko Culina, Brisbane Roar, David Mitchell, football, Frank Farina, Graham Arnold, Ian Ferguson, John Kosmina, Lawrie McKinna, Miron Bleiberg, Newcastle Jets, Nick Meredith, Old Soccer invading New Football, Perth Glory, Queensland Lions, Ross Aloisi, Sydney FC, Victory
June 26th 2011 @ 6:37am
Bondy said | June 26th 2011 @ 6:37am | Report comment
We have a fantastic product on and off the pitch nowadays .
If we could only now get the mainstream sports journalists to actually watch the sport it would be fantastic.
June 26th 2011 @ 1:43pm
Kasey said | June 26th 2011 @ 1:43pm | Report comment
Bondy that would be nice but I don’t see it happening while there’s mileage to be made peddling old hackneyed stereotypes knowing full well passionate football fans will click on the article(raising click-counts) to berate the idiots journalists. After which they can write, “Gee you Sokkah fans are a tad precious” aren’t you?
Only time will change this..as football continues onwards, the dinosaurs will move on and a new breed of journos(who might even have played it a junior level – or their kids currently do – or they’ve grown up with the Socceroos making many World Cups) will take up the trade. This is why the HAL is and has to “play the long game”we need to do everything we can to ensure the league is still around in 20-40 years.
June 26th 2011 @ 8:46am
Midfielder said | June 26th 2011 @ 8:46am | Report comment
apaway
One day in the future someone will write the full history of football in Australia … its turning points and key people…
Until that day lets hope we can all sit down and enjoy our great game..
June 26th 2011 @ 11:52am
Kasey said | June 26th 2011 @ 11:52am | Report comment
Mid, agreed,
I feel as though this has the potential for being a more ‘inclusive’ gesture to re-unite this silly old-soccer/new-football schism than the mythical FFA cup could be. this year I honestly feel will be seen as the year the HAL turned around and the KPIs begin to trend upwards in a solid way rather than the unsustainable boom of seasons 1,2 and 3. Blokes like Franny, Trimmers and Ange can do more to re-connect with fans feeling browned off at the new direction the game took under Lowy than a Cup comp which will inevitably disappoint some group of people, no matter how FFA decide to implement the comp. Big things are expected this year off the pitch at least. And I wish the season would hurry up and start, all this off season is a huge case of idle hands… etc especially for those who have serious hate issues for football:(
Today alone in the ADL Sunday Mail, I’ve glossed over the 10 WAYS TO SAVE THE A-LEAGUE[subtitled how to 'save' Soccer] article written by noted anti-football gonzo journalist Jai Bednall(the same idiot that blamed AUFCs finals demise in last season one one player[Andy Slory] – an absolute no-no in team sport any fool could tell you) first point in response from me Soccer DOES NOT NEED saving and nor does the A-League. things aren’t perfect and I would have preferred to see 10 WAYS TO “IMPROVE” THE A-LEAGUEas opposed to SAVE. The HAL needs a renovation, some polish and a lick of paint, but its hardly going to fall over and die. none other than Frank Lowy has pledged his entire fortune to ensure thatr will never happen. That being said, FFA and the clubs can learn a lot of lessons from MLS and hopefully this season we as a sport will show some improvement in a few KPIs (crowd averages, club profits) to give football fans some much needed ammunition when the next guffawing idiot gloats that the sport is dying. finally, please re-read my initial post on this thread for further reasons football fans ought to optimistic going forward. cheers.
June 26th 2011 @ 5:31pm
Ryan said | June 26th 2011 @ 5:31pm | Report comment
Kasey, thanks for that read. I’d just about given up on football fans having anything positive to say. I have banned myself from TWG website because it is so ridiculously negative (not constructive) that I can’t handle it any more! Let’s hope this season sees a change in attitude for the good
June 26th 2011 @ 8:47am
Fussball ist unser leben said | June 26th 2011 @ 8:47am | Report comment
Great piece, apaway … thanks for bringing a bit of levity – and rationality – to an issue that seems to polarise so many!
And, apaway is too modest to mention he is an ex-NSL player and, therefore, a member of that elite group of football people in Australia, who “straddles both sides of the mythical divide” and, in my opinion, is extremely well-qualified to speak on the issue.
June 26th 2011 @ 8:59am
Australian Football said | June 26th 2011 @ 8:59am | Report comment
It was the late Johnny Warren (Captain Socceroo) who instigated the name change for good reason. And it was Frank Lowy (Old Soccer) who took up the challenge to head up new Football with the first CEO John O’Neil (Rugby) paving the way for the name change. It was the late Johnny Warren realising that the tag Soccer is not the game in itself, but a label the game was forced to endure for far too long. The game is Football and we have always been Football. I can’t understand why anyone from the past or present in Australian Football would still want to be called Soccer—we are now Football Federation Australia (FFA). If anyone from ‘Old Soccer’ felt left out it was their choice. They are all still very welcome to join the revolution of new Football. And they are rightly doing so now.
June 26th 2011 @ 11:05am
Cugel said | June 26th 2011 @ 11:05am | Report comment
And Oceania has always been at war with Eastasia.
June 26th 2011 @ 12:07pm
Australian Football said | June 26th 2011 @ 12:07pm | Report comment
http://www.oceaniafootball.com/ofc/
No longer—they are now Oceania Football
June 26th 2011 @ 9:36am
The Cattery said | June 26th 2011 @ 9:36am | Report comment
Good article.
By the way, it’s spelled “Trimboli” with an “i” – he’s a good Xavier College lad.
June 26th 2011 @ 11:53am
Uncle Bob said | June 26th 2011 @ 11:53am | Report comment
Wasn’t Frank Lowy involved with creating the NSL back in 1977? Then again creating the A-League in 2005.
Funny now it has gone a little wobbly all the ‘old soccer’ mischief makers are slowly coming back out of the woodwork to sink the boot in. That was always the problem with soccer, it was always divided here.
Lowy has a book and they actually looked at a similar model to what the A-League became back in the 1970s. The inventors of the NSL including Lowy realised it was a lame duck project in the early 1980s with no widespread appeal.
They should have had district/city clubs from 1977. I could never bring myself to follow some ethnic teams social club side, which the NSL in essence was. I just followed the English leagues which was actually closer culturally to us than an Italian, Croatian, Dutch, Greek side.
June 26th 2011 @ 11:58am
jamesb said | June 26th 2011 @ 11:58am | Report comment
“old soccer”
“new football”
how ’bout “one football”
June 26th 2011 @ 12:57pm
con said | June 26th 2011 @ 12:57pm | Report comment
how about old football and new soccer. the nsl at least felt like a football experience. the a-league is that heavily over sanitized its a disgrace for a footballing experience. i know football people, people that love our game that simply refuse to go because its a complete joke. the standard isnt the problem its the way the matchday is run
June 26th 2011 @ 1:40pm
Fussball ist unser leben said | June 26th 2011 @ 1:40pm | Report comment
Hey con …
apaway played in the NSL … perhaps, he is best qualified to tell us about the things that are better &/or worse when comparing the NSL & HAL?
Whilst I played Amateur & Provisional league football during the 80s & 90s, I didn’t attend any NSL matches so I am not qualified to give any opinion on the quality of the NSL – on the park or in the stands.
In my opinion, the only people who can talk with authority and compare the NSL & HAL are those, who have been to significant number of games in BOTH competitions.
Oh, and I reckon anyone who is younger than 25 years couldn’t have formed any meaningful vies of the NSL.
June 26th 2011 @ 7:25pm
con said | June 26th 2011 @ 7:25pm | Report comment
used to be a member of both south melbourne and melbourne victory. played for a greek team (im not greek) so we used to goto the old hellas games all the time. tbh it was doomed because of the ethnic lines. if they changed that but allowed the fans freedom of expression then it wouldnt be in the same doldrums were in now. nsl wasnt as bad as some ppl make it out. the hal is better but the oversanitization of the matchday experience puts real football people off
June 26th 2011 @ 8:42pm
Realfootball said | June 26th 2011 @ 8:42pm | Report comment
I’m a real football person and it hasn’t put me off Suncorp.
If I’m not a “real” football person, I don’t know who is, Con. Lifelong fan, regular A-League attendee, former player, current coach of my boy’s under 14s.
You need to watch those sweeping over generalisations. Your experience does equal everyone else’s experience.
June 27th 2011 @ 8:49am
MelbCro said | June 27th 2011 @ 8:49am | Report comment
Con do you still go to hellas matches?
June 27th 2011 @ 4:30pm
con said | June 27th 2011 @ 4:30pm | Report comment
na na i goto vpl occasionally tho. bentleigh greens and oakleigh cannons are 5 minutes drive. its great fun as well
June 26th 2011 @ 1:39pm
apaway said | June 26th 2011 @ 1:39pm | Report comment
Con, I acknowledge the frustrations you have with the A-League. However, I have to say that on the whole, the A-League at least attempts a “match-day experience” whereas I can’t remember the NSL bothering with such a concept. A lot of games didn’t even produce a program or announce the starting line-ups over a PA.
June 26th 2011 @ 1:46pm
Kasey said | June 26th 2011 @ 1:46pm | Report comment
you mean that time I turned up at King Tom to be handed a hastily run off sheet from a photocopier of the line up between Sydney Croatia(Pumas) and Newcastle Breakers. the difference in professionalism is night and day, but Con for all of your passion(obviously a huge amount) can you recognise this as a step in the right direction or are you still too worked up because you cant do whatever you like at MVFC home games?
June 26th 2011 @ 7:35pm
con said | June 26th 2011 @ 7:35pm | Report comment
they did attempt it ie. announcement, matchday programs, old wogs playing flutes in the stands and a guy selling peanuts out the front. obviously its not UCL but it was still nice going. we need some of those old flute playing wogs and over passionate supporters to be a part of the HAL. the difference was, the nsl were family clubs with family ties. the hal is not and is governed by people that do not understand supporter culture.
but yes i am still angry because i cant do whatever i like (no i do not light flares but i have been to games overseas and i love the colour the bring to the game) or bring whoever i want. if you wanna know why i will always point to a simple fact. seasons 1 and 2, free home ends, no restriction on active fans and a vibrant experience = increasing and record crowds. season 3 this was changed and surprise surprise, season 3 is when attendances began to fall. i understand why this happened, because i (and there is noooooo doubt how much i love football) no longer felt compelled to attend.
June 26th 2011 @ 8:43pm
Realfootball said | June 26th 2011 @ 8:43pm | Report comment
“I am still angry because I can’t do whatever I like…” Are you serious? Is this really what your problem is? What is this? Kindergarten?
June 26th 2011 @ 11:04pm
con said | June 26th 2011 @ 11:04pm | Report comment
i was using it in the context of what i was responding to. in reference to the overpolicing and oversanitization of home ends. read before you comment
June 26th 2011 @ 4:59pm
Midfielder said | June 26th 2011 @ 4:59pm | Report comment
Con
Hang with me on this it hopefully have a point towards the end…
The father of modern football i.e. total football … his system was called TIPS… it stood for technical ability, intelligence, perversance & speed … he rated all as equally important for a modern day player….
What is said of Australian is we lack the technical aspect of this model…. I disagree … to explain technical skill is made up of touch and shape… by and large Australian sides hold their shape today… so when the touch improves we will be a top 15 nation… but we need to work on improving the touch side of things while at the same time not going backwards in the other areas…
FFA’s management, the fans & the media IMO are all getting to understand each other … hopefully the media will not be so constantly negative….. hopefully FFA will get better at media management… and over time the home ends / stadium management & FFA management will work out how to increase the Home End fans day … BUT not go backwards in the family friendly image the A-League generally enjoys …
Con I would love you to be part of the solution… and that means going to games and letting your tho’s be known … but maybe with a little less anger … but do love and respect your passion…
June 26th 2011 @ 7:29pm
con said | June 26th 2011 @ 7:29pm | Report comment
i wont stop going but its not the same as going a few years ago. in season 2 melbourne victory was the best thing that ever happened to me. i recall phoning my friend after the semi against adeliade and telling him how much more i love melbourne than spurs (my boyhood team), i lost that passion due to factors ive mentioned many times. take that aside, it frustrates me that out of my entire team, i am the only one who is a HAL fan. the rest say its the standard (cant do much there) whilst many cite the cr@p experience which i TOTALLY understand.
also in terms of the technical aspect, were getting there and i appluade the ffa for what they are doing in that respect. the systems in place now are better than what i played growing up
June 26th 2011 @ 11:12pm
apaway said | June 26th 2011 @ 11:12pm | Report comment
Con
I assume you’ve written or contacted the Victory with your frustrations about the match day experience. Did they respond, and if so, what did they say?
June 27th 2011 @ 4:32pm
con said | June 27th 2011 @ 4:32pm | Report comment
they said they have been bombarded with fans complaints for the past 4 years about home end memberships and overpolicing. the club agrees with the fans and wants things to return to how they were but they must follow ffa implementations. im surprised most of the HAL fans on here are’nt aware of the issues considering how much they have dropped our attendances
June 26th 2011 @ 5:05pm
Bondy said | June 26th 2011 @ 5:05pm | Report comment
Very interesting piece ,
http://www.smh.com.au/sport/football/feet-over-fists-for-young-waters-20110625-1gkkd.html .