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The series of events that has led to Perth Glory’s fall from grace are well-known. Once confined to a goldfish tank, the West Australian club found itself in a pool of sharks when the A-League arose from the NSL ashes.
It has fought for survival on and off the field in a crowded sporting marketplace ever since.
The club’s biggest downfall has been the drying up of its success.
Forget about the varying standards of leagues, sports fans like winning trophies no matter what. But clubs cannot afford to rely on something that cannot be guaranteed.
The last four years have far and away been Perth Glory’s lowest ebb, with former co-owner Brett McKeon’s departure the latest disappointment.
Or is it? Are there exciting times on the horizon? Quite possibly.
Now, more than ever for these two individuals, is the time for club owner Tony Sage and recently re-signed coach Dave Mitchell to get the job done.
They both have what they want: Sage a club of his own and Mitchell the chance to shape his own squad.
The club only has nine players signed for next season. But Sage has publicly guaranteed his support for the full use of the salary cap and a marquee signing, should the ‘right player’ become available.
There are no excuses left for either man. Perth needs a squad that will reach the finals in 2010 and a marquee player to keep the club’s head above water.
Less glamorous than thoughts of current Australian international Mile Sterjovski hammering in 25m screamers at Members Equity Stadium, but perhaps just as exciting to the diehard fan, is Sage’s remodeled board.
The self-styled ‘Sagey’ has brought in men with solid backgrounds in areas that the club has been severely lacking: marketing, public relations and media.
While he needs to start spending serious money on the football department, he also needs to focus on the Perth Glory image for the sake of the club and the game in this State.
The economic hard times should not be a worry, let alone an excuse, for Sage. In his own words: “I do alright, look, my mining business is doing very well … I cashed up at the right time in my companies and we’re sitting pretty.”
The carrots are still being dangled in front of fans without any results. It’s time to deliver our dose of vitamins in the form of Everton, Sterjovski and finals football.
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