Lowy said the FFA were seeking a major sponsor for the competition, which would probably begin before the revised start of the A-League season and run until midway through the top flight campaign.
Australian football fans have been floating their proposals for a knockout-style cup competition for years, based on the English FA Cup format, so this announcement is music to their ears.
Lowy said the cup details are still being resolved, but it appears state league clubs would be involved, meaning it is the first time the FFA have actively sought to unite the A-League and the former NSL clubs. That’s great. And so is the prospect of the romantic knockout cup.
So the FFA’s stated commitment towards a cup competition is definitely an exciting prospect, but why now?
Since the creation of the A-League, the FFA have flirted with the idea of a cup competition but never committed to it. Now, they are publicly making it known they are after a sponsor to make it work.
It will be difficult to run both financially and logistically so the revelation comes at an interesting time given the A-League’s current stability issues and the FFA’s reported financial troubles.
But then again, the idea has plenty of novelty value. And reviving some novelty into Australian club football could be just what the local game needs at this point in time.
And getting a big sponsor on board and selling the TV rights could make it a money-spinner for the FFA too. Maybe. Maybe not, it could be a gamble.
Also it was interesting to note following yesterday’s press conference most media outlets ran the story about an ‘FFA Cup’ but what was slightly overlooked was Lowy raising the prospect of a deferred start to the A-League season next campaign.
In my opinion, the A-League should start in October after the major winter codes finish.
The publicity and media attention given to the Melbourne derby last week following the conclusion of the AFL and NRL seasons the weekend before certainly reinforces that argument, especially given the subdued start to this A-League term.
The argument against that is why should football let other codes dictate when the A-League season starts, but the code has got to be realistic about this and acknowledge Australia is a unique situation. Yes, it isn’t in sync with European leagues but then again you could argue the A-League’s March conclusion isn’t either, so why not defer the start and delay the finish.
Anyway, more to the point, reading between the lines from Lowy’s comments yesterday he may see a cup competition as something which could help fill the gap.
Perhaps not the sizeable gap which could be August to October, but the first few playoffs and rounds would give the devoted football public something in the meantime, as well as keeping the players active.
The FFA also floated the idea of reducing the A-League regular season which caught me by surprise and at a loss to explain why!
Returning to the point, though, why an ‘FFA Cup’ has suddenly been put on the agenda is an interesting question to ponder, especially at this point in time given the current climate of the A-League, but whatever the reason I’m sure devoted football fans won’t mind.
There does appear to be an appetite for such a competition and it would be great for the FFA to link up old and new football.
Then, of course, there’s opportunities opening up for state league players to impress on the big stage, as well as fringe A-League players.
The question, though, is can the FFA find their sponsor to make it work.
And then, of course, is the public’s thirst for an “FFA Cup” going to turn into bums on seats. We’ll wait and see.
bryson
Guest
this is good because obviously a league teams r in and they will continue 2 be in but once we get1 div with 20 teams then we can make a second div with the state league teams in that league who have already had experience in ffa cup so with them in 2nd div then we can have relegations and promotions and they can stay in ffa cup and try and do better by gettin in the hyandai aleague so hyandai a leugue and say 2nd div can be hyandai aleugue b div
apaway
Guest
Goalkeeper. I "officially" retired in 2001 but like any fool, keep on tempting fate with an ageing body when the State League side I coach has a bad run of keeper injuries.
Midfielder
Guest
LOL the club joke... that is some impressive sides there mate what position did you play and are you still playing
james
Guest
If the FFA Cup creates new revenue in sponsorship and tv rights deal then why not. If the FFA Cup were to make an appearance on FTA, then it would a test case as far as ratings goes and would give an indication if FTA A-league does have a future. If its a 12 team comp next year I would have it 27 rounds, play each twice then in your own conference play a team a third time round(derbies,grudge matches etc.) plus 4 week final series. Eventually if we had a 14 team comp, in say 5 or 6 years which would include wollongong, canberra or tassie, you would have the traditional 26 rounds home and away plus the 27th round which would be a derby or grudge match blockbuster The FFA cup could be a knockout comp with a-league clubs involved in round of 32, or have a 32 team comp similar to champions league. Personally I like the A-league to start in early september and finish in late april. In other words start the season when NRL/AFL have finals, and then have the A-league finals start when the NRL/AFL seasons commence. I like the FFA to get revenue frrom FTA tv rights, Pay tv rights and online riights via an FFA Channel perhaps from You tube. (especially with the NBN into vogue).
apaway
Guest
St George, Manly, Newcastle, Rockdale, Ryde City. More clubs than Jack Nicklaus! (And they were just my State league clubs...)
beaver fever
Guest
Yep, getting it mixed up with Avco finance for some reason.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Escort was, ideed, a brand of cigarettes. In the 70s - when cigarette advertising was allowed on TV and the Marlboro Man was king of the range - Escort had a tv ad with the jingle "42 cents and you're a member ... come on and join the Escort Club". How times have changed ... several of the Marlboro Men died of lung cancer and, whilst I've never smoked, I know that a pack of ciggies certainly costs more than 42 cents!
Don
Guest
OOOOOOOO-LYYYYYM-PIIIIC
Mister Football
Guest
was it a brand of ciggies?
beaver fever
Guest
Yes a good but rehashed idea for Australian football, the Escort cup was played during the 80,s on a wednesday night, so if foxtel are planning this then it will not interfere with there new expected monday night football. From memory the Escort cup included AFL (then VFL ) teams, this time no AFL teams will be in it. Escort i think were a finance company, have not heard of them for ages.
Pete
Guest
That is a dumb statement. You make it sound as if every second match in Europe is wracked by etnic violence. What a load of cobblers. Guilt by association? Get a grip on yourself - please!
Pete
Guest
Why? Because the FFA is finally trying to repair some of the wanton, stupid damage it inflicted on itself and provide another avenue - apart from sheer dislike and hate - for so-called "old" football's followers for at least minimal involvement with the game. That's why!
Art Sapphire
Guest
He's ex-VIS.
Mister Football
Guest
Did he attend the AIS as a scholarship holder?
Art Sapphire
Guest
He's playing in the VPL.
Mister Football
Guest
Why has the FFA cup suddenly been put on the agenda? Well, it has been mooted on and off for a while, and pundits have mentioned it since day one. I can remember it being discussed four years ago on The Flog (around Sept 2006), the now defunct SMH soccer blog. But here is another intereting development - and this one is right out of the blue. The AFL is organising its own cup comp to feature the state league grand finalists (VFL, SANFL, WAFL, ACTAFL, QAFL, etc but not AFL teams). The suggestion has come directly from Fox who want to fund it 100%. They've noticed that the local ABCs get ratings of up to 250,000 for the state comps, and Fox wants a slice of it. Really interesting proposal, and not an new idea for aussie rules - we've had similar comps during the 70s and 80s. Here's a link to the story: http://www.sportsnewsfirst.com.au/articles/2010/10/14/interstate-series-on-cards/
Mister Football
Guest
Yes - but whatever happened to that kid - Alex Tabor- the one who scored from the glancing header right at the end???
Rellum
Roar Guru
Cricket on the brain :)
Art Sapphire
Guest
I was also there Jack - don't know about the crowd being 8k but it was still a great turnout for what was a pre-season game on a very cold night. Here is a vid of the goals. Includes a goal by Archie which I remember quite well. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khHiaAKmxI8
Mister Football
Guest
Also - it's fair to say that finals generate their own interest of themselves, and that that will match whatever is happening in the sporting world.