Heed the J-League's philosophy of engagement

btw good article!

Sydney just need to engage the community. By playing more games around the city and making them regular fixture each year the club can build up attendances. For my mind.. SFS is just too big and too far away from the clubs would be supporters. Locking into a SFS contract was a bad baaad idea. A "reset" of the clubs approach is needed, not a "reset" of the club itself. Forming a new club is a baaad baaad idea.

Posted this elsewhere as well but putting here for the record only as good news story . http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/football/a-league/mariners-super-model-should-set-the-trend/2008/12/08/1228584743830.html … Mariners’ super model should set the trend Michael Cockerill December 9, 2008 WELL done Central Coast Mariners. Well done Peter Turnbull and Lyall Gorman for believing in the dream, and well done Kevin McCabe for sharing in it. It’s not often you get a good news story from every angle, but this is one. It wasn’t that long ago the Mariners were on life support. Now, after last week’s re-structuring of their ownership model, their future is assured. The Mariners are aiming to become the A-League’s version of the Green Bay Packers. A small club with big ideas putting itself ahead of the curve. The best houses always have the strongest foundations. At the start, the Mariners didn’t have money, but they did have enthusiasm, and determination. Because of that, they have become the role model of a community club - not through largesse but through sheer hard work. It is these foundations which last year encouraged Turnbull to move his money from Sydney FC, and which this year enticed McCabe, who owns his home-town club, Sheffield United, as well as sides in China, Hungary and the UAE. In these fraught economic times, it could be seen as folly to be spending instead of saving. But McCabe doesn’t see it that way. “Football is the world game and always will be,” he says. “Put it this way - I travel all the time, and I don’t see its popularity waning.” Instead, McCabe sees his latest investment in the Mariners as a smart one, not a risky one. He could be right. Having dug deep into the grassroots, where they can now access a database of 60,000 players across the Central Coast and northern Sydney, the Mariners have laid their foundations. Now they have to build the house. Which is where the newly formed Mariners Trust comes in. It is this trust, which has now assumed the majority stake in the Mariners and is owned by McCabe, Gorman and Turnbull, which will take the club to the next level. A state-of-the-art, $60 million training complex at Tuggerah is planned for starters. The first sod could be turned by this time next year. There is also the mooted swapping of talent - both playing and coaching - between McCabe’s worldwide network of clubs. Down the track, the trust would like to control the management rights to Bluetongue Stadium. But the first team won’t be neglected. The trust intends to make clever investments - primarily in property - to ensure there is sufficient cash flow to make the first team “perennially successful”. With the Mariners about to make their debut in the Asian Champions League, the restructure could hardly be better timed. “Think local, act global”. It’s not an original slogan, but one Gorman has taken on board with a vengeance. Just days after winning last season’s minor premiership - which secured passage to the ACL - the Mariners started brainstorming how they would make the most of the opportunity. They see Asia as the springboard, and intend to jump as high as they can. Both local and state government are already on board - last month, the Mariners addressed NSW Cabinet ministers after they met at the Mingara Club, outlining the possibilities. NSW tourism officials, for instance, are likely to take road shows to China, Japan and South Korea when the Mariners play in the ACL. When they’re playing in Gosford, there will be trade shows held around the ACL matches. It’s not rocket science, but it is proactive. And that’s what the restructure is ultimately about. One day, there might not be a salary cap in the A-League, and there aren’t too many Frank Lowys or Clive Palmers living on the Central Coast. It could be a jungle out there, and this is the Mariners’ way of making sure they can do better than survive

The Link - reality, people have been boasting about a 7% ratings increase - - as a positive, reality, that's a negative, firstly, does it adequately off-set what is now sitting at a 20% drop in attendances. secondly - 4 years in, with relatively low ratings figures, it's a huge slowing of growth - - and implies a relatively 'mature' product. There's probably a +/- annual fluctuation that is deemed normal variability. How much of the 7% would actually qualify as fair dinkum growth? The ONLY way HAL tv rights could challenge NRL would be Socceroos, combined with some decent FTA - nationally. There's big dollar FTA and then there's examples on SBS, ABC and the way basketball was sometimes presented on Ch.10. The notion of a huge up front pay out is optimistic - as, the product is untried on FTA - - and, there would be tremendous argument that a weekly full coverage of an EPL match of the round would do better business. How much the Socceroos can generate for the FFA and how much they can spare after that - will be critical. Good luck to them. And estimates made over 12 months ago probably assumed further growth in the HAL or at least a levelling - - not a drop and potential (as in J-League and MLS) 10 year period of 'hard yards'. Back 12 months or so ago, their was optimism that MVFC would be regularly topping 40K in sports mad Melbourne, and a 2nd team couldn't be got quickly enough..............whilst now, even a 2nd Melb team is looking dangerous as it might threaten the one team that has truely succeeded.

hazza, might want to be careful quoting someone who is clearly counting their chickens re Football TV rights. Socceroos rights will fetch a pretty penny, no question. HAL rights will not go near the NRL's if they continue down the same NSW / QLD based expansion path - why? Because Pay TV rights are generally based on subscription growth. Where is the HAL expanding to that will ensure subscription growth (i.e. no NRL/AFL team)? Gold Coast (Titans), NQ (Cowboys), Western Sydney (Panthers, Eeels, Dogs, Tigers), Wollongoing (Dragons), Canberra (Raiders), 2nd Melbourne Team (AFL / Storm). These are all generally saturated Pay TV markets. In the absense of subscription growth, then perhaps its more about ratings? Well NRL / AFL ratings dominate Pay TV, HAL not in the same ball park. 2013 is a while away, but its hard to see how HAL can fetch a deal equivalent to NRL on how things are currently playing out. Will an FTA deal get them over the line?

I don't know if you have seen the footage, but I was never the least bit worried about it - the official clearly handles Muskie when there was no need to, and he then tells him quite firmly not to. Pippi, I saw the footage and it was a disgraceful action with a total lack of respect for authority .. The linesman clearly just showing him off the field of play with a touch as light as a feather duster.. Muscat clutching his rosary beads in one hand and karate chopping the arm of the ref with the other; it was a total lack of respect.. He should be cited and reprimanded.. This is not acceptable in the HAL... ~~~~~~~~~ KB

Mid the two incidents are world's apart (but Vuka was harshly done by, especially in the context of SackWhackGate). I don't know if you have seen the footage, but I was never the least bit worried about it - the official clearly handles Muskie when there was no need to, and he then tells him quite firmly not to. The officials should worry about the game itself, especially the linesmen, who can't make a correct offside call if their lives depended on it. Interestingly, the foul count was Perth 23 Victory 8 (not that unusual a foul count for Victory games, where other teams push the envelop and yet people have this idea that the Victory are a dirty team). The records from last year show that whenever the foul count is of that order, the Victory inevitably lose (and it's the Victory that get the cards - go figure). This is the real story - everything else is bull shit.

Pip Danny touches a ref losses his Olympic spot (only once in a life time experience) and the chance to play in front of Europes talent scouts, losses his spot in the U 23 team 10 weeks out . Mr Clean himself its OK .... gotta love the Melbourne view of the world .. let me see one eyed, rose coloured glasses..

By the way, just noticed that Muskie was cleared of any wrong doing - and rightly so - the match officials the other day were absolutely hopeless and deserved an earful from Muskie. He was just telling them what they ought to hear from someone who knows. I'm wondering whether we will ever receive a correct offside call when we're attacking - ever.

You should all put far more store in what Dave has to say, who goes to all Victory home games. Before these two losses, we had two away wins against decent opposition (AU and Roar) - and Muskie was the key to winning both of those games - if you don't open your eyes and watch the game with a keen eye, you won't pick these sorts of things up.

I think the South Americans have a word that describe a Muscat type player Intelligent meathead.

I agree that Muscat is a very intelligent and skillful player. He's still a thug though and gets away with plenty.

Well said Hazza

Yes but HAL crowds have increased 50% over the past 3 years. INCREDIBLE ACHIEVEMENT DONT U THINK! We were bound to get a year where the crowds would plateau. Last year we average 15000. This year we will average 12000. SO WHAT.! I DONT SEE IT AS A PROBLEM! Memberships are up, Foxtel ratings are up. Everything is fine and going according to plan.

Despite the crowds being down this year, memberships are up 10% and tv ratings are up 7%. Advertising Guru Harold Mitchell said that footballs tv rights should rival NRLs as football grows its footprint nationally when they come for negotiation in 2012. In my estimation the rights will be worth between 80-100 million per year. Also the salary cap will be increased for next A LEAGUE football season by 350 000dollars to 2.25million per club.(Daily Telegraph 8.12).

KB Missed your post on the Mariners new facilities yes it is great news and targets the development of skill will in time make the Mariners a powe house. Just for this post off the Blue pills ... why don't SFC do this ??

KB After watching that game l'm certainly not laughing??? Bad as we have been in the last 2 weeks at least we are still second ;) Unfortunately the 'Scottish One' has obviously forgotten to take his medication...how else could one leave the 'Jackal ' on the bench for so long??? There is no way 2 holding midfielders should be in the starting 11...plus fit again Berger wasn't even in the squad??? Okay starting to feel better now...

Muskat, should be cited and band for the rest of the season; for striking out at the referee .. What a disgraceful episode that was at half time. When the referee was trying to escort him to the dressing sheds as he could not remember where he was ... This is an outrage.. As we have had in the past that the poor CCM goalkeeper paying the price for striking out at the ref, and so should Muskat be punished .. If anyone needs my supply of medication it is Muskat. I shall be sending down the BIG V ..(Vincent Powders) I only hope he can get his memory back as soon as possible.. If no action is taken I can only presume his club has paid off the F*FFA.. If the F*FFA can't see the ramifications of this particular incident with this player in question we will have bedlam on our hands for the rest of the season.. That's right it's yet another conspiracy .. :D If this sort of favourable treatment continues to help keep Melb Vic in contention of the semis; I will be tearing up my imaginary paid up membership of my club SFC in protest... I'm disgusted, and Dave this is no laughing matter :D ~~~~~~~~ KB

Pippinu Interesting point. Exposure to senior football by kids. When we played in the back streets of Sheffield or indeed at times on bomb sites, the kick around games were only loosely based on age. 11,12 year olds played against 16 year olds. Sometimes a passing adult would join in from the neighbourhood. This not only taught us the skills it toughened us up. I remember once playing on top of a graveyard in a church with a lad probably 6 years older & marvelling at his tight dribbling skills. To get out of the grime of central Sheffield we often cycled a couple of kms to a park where impromtu football games took place. Here you had a range of ages playing each other but also different degrees of seriousness about the approach to the sport. Us Townies wore our usual jeans & sneakers but some of the more suburban types were kitted in full gear. So we Townies had to learn to step lightly & quickly when on the ball or a size 12 clog like football boot sometimes with nails sticking out of the studs,would crunch your puny sneaker covered foot. Of course you cant replicate this natural evolution of your footballing ability here but there are ways & means of the more talented players"stepping up" early & being challenged as you say. Luke de Vere is learning heaps from Craig Moore & in this respect I laud Frank Farina for bringing in youngsters.

Dave Where to you and Pip go for your stuff don't keep it a secret.