Liverpool’s Robbie Fowler celebrates scoring the third goal against 1. FC Kosice during the UEFA Cup, first round, second match at Liverpool’s Anfield stadium Tuesday Sept. 29, 1998. AP Photo/Adam Butle
They say the Sydney sporting market is one of the most competitive in the world. Rather, it’s one of the most fickle sporting markets, with such incredible fluctuations in crowd figures across all codes.
But, aside from form, the presence of a star name is the only guarantee of increasing, or at least stabilising crowds, no matter the code.
The Sydney Swans have been great proponents of this, bringing in established names such as Warwick Capper, Tony Lockett, Dermott Brereton and Barry Hall to help increase the profile of the Swans in Rugby’s heartland.
Sydney FC’s decision to sign Dwight Yorke as their first marquee player was an inspired decision that reaped enormous benefits to the franchise, on and off the field.
It’s no surprise that Sydney FC’s biggest crowd of this season was against North Queensland Fury, despite the fact the A-League debutants were floundering at the bottom of the ladder.
It was Robbie Fowler that drew the crowd – over 6,000 more than the ‘derby’ against Newcastle the following week; such is the power of a star name in Sydney.
It is partly the reason why Sydney FC’s crowd has somewhat gone missing compared to Yorke’s days.
John Aloisi will forever be recognised in Australian sporting folklore for THAT penalty against Uruguay, but he doesn’t have the pulling power to attract casual supporters, especially those who prefer their European football.
But how will the western Sydney franchises, in both the AFL and A-League, learn from and adopt this lesson when building their clubs?
Both took enormous steps in their infantile stages last week with the ‘Sydney Rovers’ granted the twelfth franchise in the A-League for 2011 and the AFL’s Western Sydney joining the TAC Cup under 18 competition next season.
It will be difficult for the pair to distinguish themselves from Sydney FC and the Sydney Swans, and with all the doubts about the potential for franchises in the west of the city, it’s interesting that the reported name and branding for the A-League franchise – Sydney Rovers – avoids the mention of ‘West’ or ‘Western’.
While the huge population geographical area of western Sydney gives the second Sydney franchises a distinct advantage over Melbourne’s second A-League franchise, for example, the negative perceptions which have been labelled against the potential of the region to sustain these clubs could be impacting how they are branded.
They will be hoping this generic Sydney branding will help them entice disgruntled fans from the original Sydney franchises, but the western franchises need to find something big to differentiate themselves.
At a minimum, they need a star name that will make such a difference in the NSW market.
The problem is western Sydney doesn’t exactly have the glitz, glamour and appeal of a Surfers Paradise, for example.
Without huge financial incentives, what will attract established stars to west Sydney?
Gold Coast, and the AFL for that matter, should be applauded for their vision in snaring Karmichael Hunt from the NRL; an established star name in the state guaranteed to command headlines.
Jarryd Hayne may have signed on for an extra four years at the Parramatta Eels, but will West Sydney, and the AFL, follow the same path as the Gold Coast and look to the NRL?
A Gary Ablett, Chris Judd or the like may signal the franchise’s intentions, but their impact may be limited in a region that doesn’t appreciate their true status within the game.
West Sydney may be a long-term work in progress for the AFL, but it needs to make some sort of an immediate impact.
As for the Sydney Rovers, thankfully they have the time until 2011 to start scouring the Socceroos ranks and European leagues for their marquee.
It’s a simple equation for clubs and codes of our nations most populous city. Open the chequebook and get yourself a star that shines brighter than the Opera House.
David V.
Guest
If this is the case, then we are not promoting a healthy football culture by feeding people's shallow and often moronic obsession with "names". Our football culture, whatever there is of it, looks like a laughing stock.
M1tch
Roar Guru
nope its not rugby league and rugby union are 2 very different sports.. if you say rugby..its rugby union league means rugby league
Pippinu
Roar Guru
megatron A combination of events occurred coincidentally that allowed the recruitment of Hunt - this is why it's not going ot be something that happens every day. I'm not saying never or impossible - I'm just saying don't expect it to occur too often.
megatron
Guest
Why couldn't they go for a Hayne type Nrl player? They have to pull something out of the hat like the GC did with Hunt
Pippinu
Roar Guru
It's very long odds that the Hunt situation will be replicated again - a lot of things have to fall into place. A possible scenario is that an NRL player who has grown up in Southern NSW and played both games since he was a kid, might be capable of making the switch - but he'd have to tick a lot of boxes before it became a reality.
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
I wouldn't hate them as long as the player wasn't from the Eels but it would stop me supporting them. People want a serious football team, not the harlem globe trotters.
Pippinu
Roar Guru
pp the bundesliga is a top 4 league (in the world), and may have already overtaken the Serie A on many indicators. The overseas players who come into the A-League appear to agree on one thing: you find a massive range of abilities, from those who would get a game in the Championship (or even the Premiership), to those who would struggle to get a game in League 2 (old 4th division).
prowling panther
Roar Rookie
poaching rl stars for these new west sydney teams is not a good idea. It instantly alienates much of any potential fan base. I for one would hate any such team with a passion. The new clubs have to take their place behind rugby league because they'd be mad to go up against it. PS I was watching some Bundesliga on ONE and I must say the way they play the game is pretty damn slick. Anyone now how the Aleague compares to the European leagues in terms of skills and entertainment?
Pippinu
Roar Guru
That's certainly true.
Robbos
Guest
Futhermore, I doubt the AFL would even come close to being able to afford Messi.
Pippinu
Roar Guru
I don't think the average Australian knows who Lionel Messi is. Furthermore, there is some doubt as to whether he can kick a footy.
Analogue Cheese
Guest
Lionel Messi as marquee for the WS AFL club's inaugural season. That's their only hope for a half decent crowd.
sam.gilbert
Roar Rookie
well the preceding paragraph was about afl. so was the one after it.
megatron
Guest
Very interesting stuff Adrian. I think the swans are in for some lean times and their thunder could be stolen if GWS can pull a big name coup. However IMO the Swans have enough of a fanbase now to survive tough times.
Freud of Football
Roar Guru
Obviously I'm talking about football. They wouldn't try and bring in AFL fans and convert them into their own fans would they now? Especially when there are so few?
Forgetmenot
Guest
Another great article Adrian. The idea of a 'Star' player is something that a couple of people in the media have been talking about in relation to Barry Hall leaving the Swans. They have basically been wondering who will be replacing Hall as the Swans 'Star' player. I for one feel that they need a player who has already established themselves a 'media whore'. But it also needs to be someone who grabs the headlines for the right reasons. A player from Sydney would be the obvious choice, but if that cannot happen, it would probably best be a player whose not from Victoria. Has anyone heard anymore on the Roy Masters created rumour of a second league player converting to football?
sam.gilbert
Roar Rookie
"The one advantage that West Sydney most definately has is the love and passion for the game in the area. It can’t be too difficult for the new franchise to (or should I say they’d have to screw it up pretty big to not) bring these people in and make them fans, if they play their cards right they should get a sell-out every week." are you talking about AFL or football here? if AFL, you're dead wrong. noone could give a toss about AFL ou this way. even rugby union isn't popular-the two worst clubs throughout colts and grade are penrith and parra- by a long shot. rugby league is by far the biggest sport, and then football because of the huge ethnic culture in some parts. but as for AFL, no chance. AFL is clearly trying to crack a big and potentially lucrative market by gicing west sydney a team, they are not giving a team to an AFL-loving area.
melbvictory87
Guest
ago74 what is the difference its the same thing pretty much
melbvictory87
Guest
harry is god!
The Bear
Roar Pro
Lots has changed over the last 10 to 15 years. As much as Brisbane could be viewed as a League town, and Queensland whole hearted support of SoO, the grass roots (especially in the secondary schooling system) is Rugby Union. Amateur Clubs create a link for young adolescents. Queensland Reds get reasonably good support, for a national league that competes head on with League season. Sydney is far more localised geographically from what i have gathered.