A record breaking 87,508 fans walked through the turnstiles to support their team during round 3 of the 2011/12 A-League season but where precisely does the league stand since it’s foundation in 2004?
The inaugural A-League season commenced on August 26, 2005 when Adelaide United prevailed 1-0 over the Newcastle Jets courtesy of a Carl Veart goal at EnergyAustralia Stadium.
Since that night in the Hunter Valley, the football on display has persevered to prosper and blossom into some of the best Australia has witnessed throughout its history.
Season six in particular, is viewed as the best standard of football experienced during the evolution of the A-League and that’s due to the quality of players gracing our pitches.
Foreign trio Thomas Broich, Marcos Flores and Carlos Hernandez certainly played their role in enhancing the leagues standard, as have numerous other foreigners who have dazzled to the delight of many but their work with local talent has helped aid development and in return seen the level of football surge.
You only have to look at the number of Australians now based overseas to thoroughly appreciate what the A-league and foreigners have done to improve the situation.
Matthew Leckie (Borussia Monchengladbach, Bundesliga), Nikita Rukavytsya (Hertha Berlin, Bundesliga), Mitchell Langerak (Borussia Dortmund, Bundesliga), Mustafa Amini (Borussia Dortmund – On loan at Central Coast Mariners, Bundesliga), Robbie Kruse (Fortuna Dusseldorf, 2.Bundesliga), Kerem Bulut (Mlada Boleslav, Czech Liga), James Holland (AZ Alkmaar, Eredivisie), Michael Zullo/Adam Sarota/Tommy Oar (FC Utrecht, Eredivisie), Matt McKay (Rangers, Scottish Premier League), Mile Jedinak (Crystal Palace, English Premier League) are just some of the examples of how continued growth in the A-League has contributed to so many young Australians plying their trade abroad.
The most pleasing story out of that list of players is Robbie Kruse’s transfer to Fortuna Dusseldorf.
On the brink of exile at the Brisbane Roar, Kruse was thrown a lifeline by the Melbourne Victory following quite a few off-field incidents. Surrounded by the inspirational and iconic Melbourne Victory figure, Kevin Muscat, Robbie Kruse soon returned to the form that had him labeled as one of Australia’s brightest young talents.
His exploits for Victory did not go unnoticed with interest mounting throughout the 2010/11 season. The striker’s two-year transformation was officially complete when 2.Bundesliga side, Fortuna Dusseldorf, secured his services on a three-year deal.
Melbourne Victory will long be remembered for the role they played in not only his development on field but also the change in his attitude that rescued his promising career. Robbie Kruse will forever be grateful and appreciative of the support the received in Melbourne.
The advancement of the A-league has also seen many of its players make the transition into the National team and the most recent being Brisbane Roar hotshot, Mitch Nicholls. Another Brisbane product, Matt McKay, has taken the world by storm with his swift transition into the National side.
Not only is he a regular in the starting lineup, he is the current PFA Footballer of the Year, beating English Premier League stars Tim Cahill and Mark Schwarzer to highly coveted award.
With the league now boasting the likes of Harry Kewell and Brett Emerton within its ranks, we will now see an increase in the amount of A-League players regularly making the step up to the National Team.
Harry Kewell and Brett Emerton have returned to Australia as current Socceroos’ and with no plans of relinquishing their place in the national team. After Jason Culina, it’s the first time the league attracted current Socceroos and that speaks volumes of how far the A-League has come. With plenty to offer both on and off the field, it’s an ideal situation for football in this country. Their skills are now on show for all to see in the A-League and analysing the crowd numbers from the opening rounds, the figures seem promising.
The previous record for a single round crowd was 84,685 during the 2007/08 season but that record was eclipsed when a total crowd of 87,508 turned out to soak up round 3 action in the Hyundai A-League.
The news gets better with club memberships increased by 16% across the league, six clubs enjoying a crowd average of over 10,000 crowd averages up for eight of the ten clubs from last season and Fox Sports live average audience up 62% on last season.
The influx of foreign talent, development of local stars, and improved professionalism will only continue the A-Leagues rise against Australia’s elite sporting codes. Early signs in the 2011/12 campaign indicate it may just surpass the achievements of last season as we begin to believe we truly are football!
Follow me on Twitter: @Sachk0
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