When we hear A-League fans say that they’ve tried to get their friends who follow and wear Manchester United, Arsenal or Barcelona jerseys to local matches, they mostly say: “No, it is rubbish!”
Or if they do turn up (European fans, that is. For example, 23,000 in season 1, Roar vs SFC) they are attracted by the likes of Dwight Yorke. What does it mean?
My own opinion is that what they are saying is essentially correct, if taken literally. Compared to the atmosphere, the quality of football in the A-League has been mostly rubbish.
So when they turn up to see Dwight or Robbie Fowler (at least until they saw the reality that age dictates), they’re yearning for a glimpse or even a dash of that European football brought over here.
Some A-League fans argue that it is not as good as the golden fields of Europe, but it is ours, and as football fans, you should follow it if you want it to improve.
More support means bigger and noisier crowds and no excuses for the media to ignore the A-League.
Unfortunately, it is not that simple.
You’re asking football fans to forsake eating caviar at the Ritz and to get down to the local transport cafe to savour their baked beans on toast.
Not only that, but they’ve been dining at the Ritz for many more years (albeit on TV) than the number of local transport cafes have been open. They need some convincing to change that loyalty.
But what if the transport cafe improves the quality of food?
Sure it doesn’t have the impressive foyer of the Ritz, the shining chandeliers, the doorman and staff in flashy uniforms, but it is the food and only the food that pulls you back to the restaurant anyway.
Then it starts to stand a chance of competing with the glitz, glamour and nostalgia of the Ritz.
During the first five seasons, we saw a glimpse of our future when Adelaide played Gamba Osaka in the ACL.
Gamba was clearly a cut above Adelaide. Crisp accurate passing and attacking football, intelligent use of space, and combining to create a fluid spectacle were on display.
Fast forward to this season and the Roar. As a season ticket-holder, I have eaten the baked beans and listened to the “Ritz mob” from the start as they puked alongside me and out of the ground.
Not so this season. Last Saturday was as good as anything you will get in Europe in terms of football, without the bells and whistles. Any European follower who says different is churlish, to say the least.
Now, like the Japanese, we need to maintain this level of football and improve it into the future for real long term success.
Roarchild
Roar Guru
Ben, that's no fun as we may actually have to play those teams . Better we have arguments where no one can be wrong :)
Robbie
Guest
Dude, you obviously have no interest in the concept of 'team support'. If everyone thought like you, then no-one would support lower-division teams... "Why would I go and support Southampton, my team, this saturday, when Man United are clearly a better team? I'm off to Old Trafford even though I hate the bastards...!" No. I support Sydney because they're the FRIGGIN BEST. Not because I think they'd beat Barcelona if they played them this week, but: Because they're NOT MAN UNITED (wankers) Because they're not Barcelona (stuck up Euro dicks) Because they're not Melbourne Victory (complete wankers) Because they're not Kashima Antlers (never been there, not interested..) You get the idea. You don't have to think [cue wanky voice] "The football I'm watching right now is technically the best product available to me globally right now" to choose who to watch or support. What about just- "I really love this club and they're mine for life." ?? Go Sydney.
BrisbaneBhoy
Guest
ah, while their is some truth in your statement, there could be a mindset that if not taken serious here by locals why should we waste money on something that we have no real connection to?
punter
Guest
You do really not know what you ar talking about.
UK Steve
Guest
I meant 3 world cup finals, but you already knew that. No need for theories, as the facts speak for themselves. Let’s take a look at Brazil then Fussball. Population of 190m but their top league has an average attendance of less than 18,000. I always thought that Brazilians were meant to be soccer mad. Obviously over-hyped as are most things soccer related.
Evan Askew
Guest
I would have to agree that the archtypical Euro Snob is someone born here or who has grown up here who only follows a European team and looks down on the A league. But of this despised catefory the most contemptible is the 4th, 5th, 5th and upwards generation Australian who has absolutely no link to a country in Europe who follows a European team (usually an EPL team from the big 4) who pours scorn on the A league. I can understand someone born in another country who follows their team. At least they have a link to that team but the former I have no respect for. And another type that p--ses me off is the typical whingeing Pom (I'm of pommy parentage myself) who constantly goes on about how the A league is inferior to his local pub league team.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
UK Steve is absolutely right! From the favelas of Rio, to the desert of the Sahara, to the Hills of Beverley ... all I hear is "we want Rugger, League and Aussie Rules"! Ok .. 5 hours sleep before Roma v Shaktar Donesk LIVE on SBSTV from the Stadio Olimpico in the Eternal City ... Oops ... I forgot ... football is not as popular around the world as the average Aussie thinks! Good night and good luck with that theory, UK Steve! PS: I think you'll find The Netherlands has been involved in more than 3 World Cups ... that's the problem when non-football people try to discuss football. :-)
UK Steve
Guest
Is the A League really that poorly attended? Most soccer leagues around the world struggle to get crowds. Take the Dutch league for example, with an average attendance less than 20,000. This from a country that has been in 3 world cups. The bottom line is that soccer is not as popular around the world as the average Aussie thinks.
stip
Guest
i was at the game at suncorp & ran into a croat who had free tickets to the game because of the floods to the local football team. He said that it was the only way that he would come to watch the game. i shook my head because his son will be probably playing for the roar in the future but without our support where will these kids go?my local junior football club is running a rugby league tipping comp.? that just says it all...
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
Been to Adelaide lately?
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
So, how do you know what is the standard of English League 1? I mean, it's been around 84 years since Arsenal played in the lower leagues of England, so, unless you're aged around 90, I guess you haven't watched the lower leagues in England .... so, how do you know the standard?
goonergerry
Guest
I've been living in London the past 7 years and go to arsenal matches regularly. Been to a few mariners games as well as i'm from the central coast. My views are very credible as I live and breath football and my stance hasn't changed. Will be at the incredible Emirates tonight! Fussball ist unser leben, ever been to a proper high quality european or premier league game, I go regularly clown, stick to Muscat
Betty B
Guest
Interesting article, and some truth no doubt. But to be honest, I think we need to work on our own sports journalists first, before the Eurosnobs. Most of our mainstream media still treat football and the HAL as if it is some third rate game not deserving of serious comment. Honestly, AFL and NRL are getting more coverage at present and they're just starting their pre-seasons. But yes - I love the A League, even without K Muscat.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
World Poverty I guess there's not much happening in your preferred sport ... as usual? So, you feel qualified to speak about the Beautiful Game? 1. What are you saying ... Leeds United, Notts Forest, Milwall, Southampton supporters start following Man United, Liverpool, Arsenal or some EPL team when their team got relegated? Or, perhaps, they moved over to follow a European club ... Barca, Schalke, Juve? I laughed and I laughed 2. Football fans watch all football ... I'll be up tomorrow at 645 a.m. to watch Roma v Shaktar Donesk ... couldn't care less who wins. 3. See Point 1 above. 4. Check out the crowds for Galatasaray, Besiiktas, PSG, PSV, FCK, etc. they don't have the cream of football talent but they still get capacity crowds. Perhaps, in non-football codes it is de rigeur to change clubs depending on the success ... fro real football fans, I'm afraid ... it's one club till they take you out in the wooden box.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
The real question, indeed the only question, is how we stack up against clubs from Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Uzbekistan, China etc. This matters.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
hang in their, Mick. Glory need you.
World Poverty
Guest
"But, it’s the biggest myth that people only want to see the best play sport! And, it’s the only argument that is available to AFL, NRL & ARU to hide inherent inadequacies in their sport. It is simply NOT TRUE that loss of the top players affects any football league anywhere in the world." Really??? 1. Look at the attendances at the different grounds in the top four leagues in England. 2. Why did Sky get permission recently to re-schedule Man U/Chelsea/Arsenal on Monday nights rather than the Wolves v Wigan that was being dished up every Monday night to bugger-all ratings? 3. Look back at when Leeds was relegated or Notts Forest or Leyton Orient... I've never read such a crock! No one goes to watch A-League full stop. Will there be another reincarnation of a national soccer league after Sagey pulls the pin and the Fury go under. And when the Heart loses $3.5M next year when the novelty has worn off.
matt
Guest
It is all down to the supporters and if they are not going to get into it, or put in the effort, they have noone to blame but themselves. I come from Canada, a place where nothing can ever touch the place hockey has in the publics hearts. Yet, take a look at the atmosphere created at Toronto F.C games. It rivals that of European clubs!! Type Toronto FC in google images and see what you get. And this is in a town that has top tier MLB, NBA and NHL teams, not to mention an american football team competing in the CFL so don't tell me it has to do with other leagues. Truth is, Aussies don't really care enough about football to make it anything other than an also ran and the sooner people accept that, the better.
David V.
Guest
I support my club no matter where I live.
Hk47
Guest
Compared to the Scottish league: Celtic, Rangers and hearts would beat any a-league side. I'ld back a full strength a-league top 5 team to beat anyone else. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.