I know that with the current demise of the Fury, everyone is coming up with solutions for how the A-League should expand. I have a simple solution that should alleviate a number of problems, whilst still allowing the A-League to expand.
In the past, I wrote an article on this site about getting neighbouring State League clubs to merge.
This will help create almost “Super Clubs,” with the resources from all clubs and fan-bases already established, and the clubs would have a head-start in their chosen market.
Needless to say, it was met with less optimism than expected.
My new proposal, however, will require some vision and forward planning from the FFA, which at this stage, I don’t think they are capable of.
It’s really quite simple: you have your consortium who win their bid. I’ll use Western Sydney as an example (let’s call them Western Sydney United).
They are not to be admitted until, say, around 2015, along with the other bidder. Until then, the A-League remains the same in terms of numbers.
In 2012, they begin by starting their club out at park-level under their name of Western Sydney United.
This can be done in two ways: the first is their club is present in every single district of their catchment (such as Blacktown district, Parramatta district, and so on) or they could choose one area in one district only, such as Cecil Hills (which has its obvious disadvantages, but they are able to create a stronger identity within that one region), with teams from ages under eights until under 18s.
In 2013, they admit a team in the national youth league, hopefully with a handful of players that currently play with the club.
In 2014, the club now has moved up to the State League, with some graduating youth players as well as some future fringe players already present.
In 2015, they are admitted to the A-League.
Their clubs at park level change their name to Western Sydney United Juniors. The club has now got a catchment ranging from under eights to the A-League, including a State League club for their reserves to play in.
They will have strong links with the local community because it’s a club that is in the face of the locals every day. The people will be able to say, “I have played for Western Sydney,” despite their playing ability.
In addition to all this, they will have five years to gather sponsors from when they are admitted to the A-League.
The main point about all this is 50 percent ownership of the club will be through fans, in a similar way to Ebbsfleet United is, where fans can buy shares in the club and elect a representative for the board.
The fans will vote on all decisions in relation to the club.
The other 50 percent ownership will be divided into two, where you will have two owners who own 25 percent each.
At no point in time is there to be any less than two owners (there can be more), so as to give fans the controlling stake but the financial clout and contracts to the owners.
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
Initially, it was ruled a penalty after Jordan Courtney-Perkins was taken down by Kealey Adamson. But on review, it was found that the infringement…
Greek side Olympiacos scored two second-half goals after Villa clawed back from two goals down to win 4-2 to take the advantage after the…
Tammy Abraham came on in stoppage time of Roma's 2-nil loss to Bayer Leverkusen, but should have had a consolation goal.
And so the reigning champions claim the Premiers Plate and now line up for consecutive championships. With their win last night, Central Coast is…
There have been a seemingly endless number of negative, doom-and-gloom articles about the A-Leagues, most of them related to the APL’s mismanagement. This article…
Nestory Irankunda was denied a parting gift in his final A-League appearance before heading overseas, with Central Coast's Danny Vukovic pulling off a spectacular…
