They are winless after six rounds and up for sale, but Newcastle Jets CEO Robbie Middleby remains optimistic.
Optimistic the Jets can turn it around on the field and optimistic there will be a new owner “sooner rather than later”.
And he’s confident the former problem isn’t a result of the latter issue as Nathan Tinkler’s Hunter Sports Group seeks a buyer.
“The focus at the moment with the players is on the season and on this weekend’s game and they have all been very, very good and it hasn’t been an excuse,” Middleby said.
While Middleby hasn’t had a direct role in the negotiations he says they are ongoing.
“There are a lot of variables to go with (the ownership) so I won’t put a time frame on it,” he said.
“The Western Sydney sale took time, even the Manchester City acquisition of Melbourne took a year, but the sooner it is resolved the better it is for everyone involved, for the players, the club, the fans.
“We have looked at different options, with community (ownership) models but in the end there is a fee involved now.
“We’re looking at all options to make sure we do everything possible to make sure we have an A-League team representing our area and that’s the main thing.”
The Hunter region is a traditional football heartland and has enjoyed successful football clubs right back to the halcyon days of KB United, who had the then-record national league crowd of 18,367 in 1979 against Sydney Olympic, which was only broken after the inception of the A-League.
But it has also seen tales of woe. United went under despite good support, and successors the Breakers were a similar story.
As a local product, Middleby is acutely aware of that history.
He says there is sound reason for his optimism but he is also realistic.
“The support by the Newcastle faithful and members and local business has been incredible the last few years and to get that support where we are pushing 10,000 members is fabulous,” he said.
“What we have going on with the emerging Jets program, that was the blueprint for the A-League clubs, our relationship with our member federation in Northern NSW Football is stronger than ever.
“Looking at that the future is bright, but in the past you look at KB United that did have the support locally but they folded, then the Breakers were the same.”
So how do the Jets buck the trend?
They have to prove the market is viable – and having been in the A-League since inception, winning it once, they have a strong case for the future.
They are working with Football Federeation Australia on a solution.
“We have had tremendous support from the FFA,” he said.
“They look at the participation numbers in northern NSW and how the game is going and how important it is to have an area participate in the A-League like our area.
“But we can’t just expect the FFA to do it all for us, we have to do everything ourselves to maintain the club.”
What would help is a first win of the season over the Wanderers this weekend.
Middleby, has implored the players privately to show passion and pride in not just the jersey but the area when they play this weekend.
The hope is when things improve on the field, they will improve off it.
Success breeds success and the Jets need it in all forms.
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