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Gallop urges fans to stay interested

24th April, 2015
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How do fans maintain interest in soccer when it is rapidly becoming a 12-month sport?

During the last week of a marathon A-League campaign, FFA chief David Gallop is wondering this aloud.

There’s no dispute that 2015 has been a banner year for Australian soccer thanks to the success of Ange Postecoglou’s Socceroos on home soil in the Asian Cup.

But with crowds down in the domestic competition as it reaches a crescendo in the next four weeks, Gallop is urging fans to get behind the finals.

It’s easy to understand why local supporters might be weary.

The A-League kicked off an eternity ago in October, with a 27th and final round this weekend, breaking only for the Socceroos’ stunning Asian Cup win in January.

Even after the grand final is held on May 17, there will still be plenty of soccer through the off-season.

English Premier League giants Chelsea and Tottenham visit late May and June, with Spanish club Villarreal also touring.

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In July, Liverpool return to Australia as Manchester City, Real Madrid and Roma play in Melbourne.

August and September returns European-based Socceroos to club football while A-League sides return for the FFA Cup.

Throw in a few Socceroos matches in between and there’s barely a break for fans or players in a jam-packed Australian soccer schedule before the A-League begins again in October.

That’s all before you consider the impact of the Perth Glory salary cap scandal or other sports.

It’s little wonder Gallop is sounding the horn for one final charge.

“It’s been a long season, particularly with a break for the Asian Cup,” he said.

“We should acknowledge as the season has gone deeper into May than ever before, it has been difficult to maintain our television ratings and crowds to what we would have liked.

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“But there are a number of things that point to a healthy future for the A-League.

“The final six that we’ve ended up with augurs well for a spike in interest over the next month.”

Gallop reported healthy increases to digital and social media traffic as well as unprecedented club membership growth.

But the unavoidable truth is that finals should have already arrived.

“There’s no doubt it’s been an unusual year,” he said.

“We will definitely not be running as deep into May as we have this year.”

Gallop said he was planning for any Melbourne-hosted grand final, which is determined by the highest ranked grand finalist, to be played at AAMI Park.

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