To the uninformed outsider, the state of football in Victoria might look particularly rosy at the moment. It’s an easy mistake to make. The state boasts the most successful team in the A-League’s short history, and there’s another team on the way, ushering in what will be an enthralling rivalry.
Melbourne’s favourite son, Mark Viduka, is rumoured to be on his way back home, while the likes of Vinnie Grella, Scott McDonald and Josh Kennedy continue to do the state proud.
But ill-feeling at the game’s state level has been simmering for some time now. And the pot finally ran over last week.
In a letter sent to Football Federation Victoria and circulated to the media, the Victorian Premier League men’s standing committee voiced its disillusionment with the current hierarchy of the state’s governing body.
Among a list of eight resolutions, the letter outlined a complete lack of confidence in FFV chief executive Mark Rendell.
The letter claims to have the support of all VPL clubs.
And while the extent of the sustenance may vary from club to club, that they have banded together speaks volumes itself.
Most clubs widely think that FFV has a hidden agenda to eventually force them out of business.
It’s a heady accusation, but it’s one that club chiefs, such as charismatic Melbourne Knights’ chairman Matt Tomas, firmly believe.
“Many of these clubs have been involved the whole time, and (the FFV want to) sweep them under the carpet like they never existed,” Tomas told Leader Newspapers this week.
Owners and chairmen point to a new fines system and the FFA ruling compensating them with just $3000 when losing talented players to A-League clubs as proof.
The proposed introduction of a senior men’s summer zone competition is vehemently opposed by clubs, who believe it will be established as an eventual replacement for the VPL.
FFV has launched an independent investigation, headed by Ken Jacobs, to probe the state of the game in Victoria.
Clubs, believing they smell a rat, have refused to deal with him.
FFV’s relationship with its member clubs has been testy for some time now. But the letter indicates that things could be coming to a dramatic head.
Like others around the country’s various state leagues, VPL clubs maintain strong links with their ethnic backgrounds.
They believe they have the violence and crowd control issues that plagued the former NSL in check, but are still being punished for them.
Feeling like captive tigers, these proud clubs have been edged and prodded further backwards into a corner.
But they won’t be giving in easily, as Hume City owner and chairman Steve Kaya stated to the Leader: “What gets me is that instead of the FFV being proud of the VPL clubs and trying to keep them alive… they are going straight for the jugular,” he said.
“The FFV is standing over and hoping the club will buckle. I’m not going to buckle. No way.”
Stay tuned.
David V.
Guest
Because certain groups feel the need to carry on the flames of nationalistic hatred, even though the "mother" countries- especially in the Balkans- have tried to move on from it. And promoting ethnic division will render a country ungovernable, just look at Belgium and Canada.
zach
Guest
totally disagree with the opportunities for youngsters today than yesterday.. from what some saw as nationalistic in the past has now become totally elitist... Its a sad reflection than when melbourne heart enter to competition they will also look at ageing returning Aussies, which is not a bad idea, but they will also bring with them the ageing or 3rd and 4th tier foriegn players.. taking away opportunities... there is so much talent here its simply sad that it goes to waste.... getting back to the original point the 3k is a disgrace
Savvas Tzionis
Guest
Whats the difference between Nationalism and retaining your cultural identity? You must realise that each ethnically backed club, even if they were not Nationalistic, may still feel unwelcoming to many people not because they are pushing a (foreign) national agenda, but simply because as a culture, they are different from 'mainstream' Australia. If you do not like it...tough. Form a club and enter the VPL and prove you can be better than these clubs!!
David V.
Guest
Because many of these clubs haven't moved on with the times and some continue to serve as vehicles for nationalism that has nothing to do with Australia. Not all ethnic clubs are in this category though.
MVDave
Roar Rookie
The FFV certainly want control of the best Juniors taken away from the clubs, hence the Summer League for Juniors. Lots of teething problems with the new league. The Mens Summer League was actually supposed to start in 2008-09 but was dropped at the last minute...really it had no chance of going ahead anyway. The VPL clubs still have the power at this stage but the FFV is slowly chipping away. It is a power struggle which will define the future of state football in Victoria so whoever wins had better have the big picture in mind. The pathway for up and coming footballers is a lot better than it used to be and with a new Victorian HAL team commencing in 2010 there will be twice as many opportunites. Also the VIS and AIS take the best players for their programs.
Los Oso
Guest
The letter referred to in the article is supported by 10 of the 12 VPL clubs. The FFA implemented the $3000 transfer fee rule and only they can alter it - there is nothing the FFV can do about it other than complain about it to them like all the state federation do already. The Men's Summer League is extremely unlikely to go ahead now.
NUFCMVFC
Guest
Nice article The $3k thing does need to be reformed, the the clubs of our hsitory for better or for worse need to be shown a bit more respect
zach
Guest
oops forgot to mention.. just on the ethnic tag and violence that keeps being muted... have been to quite a few ex nsl games quite a few vpl games and my fair share of hal... in all the violence that the old nsl was tagged with i never once saw or heard of SOG teams being deployed... sadly on two occasions that i was at the old dome.. there they were.... sad....
Savvas Tzionis
Guest
Why should these clubs 'open' themselves to the mainstream? Isn't that what the Victory is there for? Why doesn't the 'mainstream' go along to a VPL game and enjoy it for what it is? I used to go often to watch Bulleen on Monday Nights at Veneto club in Melbourne even though I am NOT Italian background. This country may be multicultural, but a large part of the populace (as evidenced by comments above) still expect 'migrants' to 'assimilate'.
zach
Guest
the 3 k is a disgrace, the fact that it was agreed to for a two year period and still remains speaks volumes of the respect shows to the game and its players..... the fact that generations have past with regards to "ethnic clubs" should allude to those very same clubs being seen as Australian, there is still some issues no doubt about that.. Most of the larger clubs (ex nsl) have reached 50 years...we should celebrate this.. i guess we could also ask Milan to change their name to Milano, it smacks of hyprocracy a little doesn't it... celebrate these achievements, if these clubs fail to survive then they do, the fact is they serve a purpose and if they grow nad reach the bar for inclusion then every chance should be given to them... The fact that we shunned the most successful of them all, even though there was an attempt to stay with the big boys speaks volumes for grass roots football... my boy plays at State 3 level, his goal is to get to the South Melbournes / Melbourne Knights of the world, then O/S if lucky, Melbourne Victory is simply not an option they make lots of noise of being involved other than the odd free tickets, there is no real pathway for youngsters to get there.... frustrated...
Sampson
Guest
You would think the ffv could promote the vpl a little better considering the affiliation fees that are paid and the fines they seem to dish out every week....apparently the melbourne knights chairman was fined $10,000 for smokin on the bench a few weeks back, sometimes the scores dont even get published in the major newspapers, thats a fairly big drop considering 3-4 years ago the vpl was getting match previews/reviews in these same papers. Rumour has it the ffa have had enough of the way the ffv is running the sport in Vic, i'd expect some resignations soon.
Jim of Altona East
Guest
Surely FFV chief executive Mark Rendell won't last much longer, if we go by the comments above?
Pippinu
Roar Guru
Paddy thanks - that's starting to make sense. I too have sympathy for the traditional clubs, who quite rightly feel they are continually sidelined when they have carried the game for decades. I add: 1. some traditional clubs have made huge efforts to water down their original affiliations and reach a wider community - like Sunshine's name change (as just one example); and 2. if anyone thinks they can create a successful comp based on plonking made up teams according to geography - they've got rocks in their head.
Art Sapphire
Guest
The answer to solving the transfer issue: When a player comes goes to HAL from a State Side. The state side should be paid a fixed amount e.g 5k to begin with. Once the player reaches 50 HAL games another 10k has to be paid to the state side. Once the player reaches 100 HAL games another 10k has to be paid. This way the club is rewarded for developing A-league player. If that player is signed to an overseas club from HAL. The state side should receive 10% of the transfer fee. Again, a reward for developing an international standard player. This is so logical it should implemented by the FFA asap. Paddy - I agree with tenor of the piece and the sentiments expressed by the old clubs. It smacks of disrespect.
whiskeymac
Guest
I agree, the lack of a decent transfer system is a bit ludicrous, but also affects HAL clubs - didn't Carney cost the blades 50K or something ridiculous. and even when a club, say Adelaide, does get some transfer money for their players (djite, burns and Oggo) it still doesn't stop them experiencing financial problems because of the higher overheads.
Coach
Guest
Im also completely removed from the VPL, I am a self-admitted band wagon jumper when it comes to soccer, I'm there when its all good, or if there is beer involved ha ha. But the thing that really stuck out at me in this article was the clubs only getting $3000 for having a player picked up by an A League club! The Victory have the money so why not reward the clubs for the development! AFL has a lot of flaws atm but they at least reward the TAC cups teams as well as the players junior team when they are drafted!
Paddy Higgs
Guest
Pip, The summer comp actually started over the summer just past, involving a range of age groups representing specific zones eg. Northern, Goulburn-North East, South-East etc. It achieved FFV's purpose of identifying talent at a local level. But VPL clubs believe that the creation of an open men's section representing those geographic zones is aimed at slowly winding down the winter comp. They think it will lead to them being replaced by regional sides under the auspices of FFV. Hope that helps. Paddy
Pippinu
Roar Guru
I'm a bit removed from the goings on of VPL clubs - but wouldn't a move to a Summer comp have a lot to recommend it? Why would such a move be seen as forcing out old ethnic clubs?
MVDave
Roar Rookie
Fair summary Paddy. It has been brewing for a while. There is little doubt that the FFV want to follow the FFA and sweep out 'old soccer' and bring in new football. However at the state level this may be going over the top. The VPL clubs have made some efforts to become more mainstream and not be just representative of a single ethnic group. The die hards will not change however and l think the introduction of the Mens Summer League could be a disaster in waiting...setting up regions to act as clubs with no support will lead to major financial and logistical problems. l believe greater effort should be made by FFV to help the VPL clubs become more accessible to the mainstream, not working to kill them off. l have a son playing at one of the bigger VPL clubs and l believe they have worked hard to modernise their image. Most games attract 500 - 2,000 spectators with some getting more but financially the clubs are struggling and this could be the last straw for many which may have to become amateur to continue.