Perth Glory owner Tony Sage may not quit the struggling A-League club despite his stated intention. Sage shocked Glory officials and fans when he told the Perth newspaper he intended to hand back the club’s licence to Football Federation Australia at the end of the season.
The mining entrepreneur, who has poured millions of dollars into the Glory since taking over in 2007, was upset by abuse he copped from fans following Saturday night’s 2-1 home loss to Melbourne Heart.
He also questioned the club’s viability amid dwindling crowd figures and rising costs.
“I’ve never been abused that much since day one. It sort of makes up your mind. This will be my last season in charge of Perth Glory,” Sage said in an interview on Sunday afternoon.
“I just can’t sit there and cop abuse and my family cop abuse.
“No one is really interested in coming to Perth Glory games and the fans don’t want me to be in control.
“It’s very obvious A-League football in Perth is not warranted.”
Sage could not be contacted on Monday to clarify his position, while Glory officials also remained strangely silent on the issue.
But it seems Sage has had a change of heart, with FFA quietly confident the Glory owner will reverse his decision.
“We’ve spoken to Tony Sage today and now understand that the comments came in the aftermath of a frustrating loss,” A-League boss Lyall Gorman said in a short statement.
“Like many football fans he wears his heart on his sleeve and showed some emotion following Saturday night’s result.
“But we are sure that Perth Glory, with Tony Sage at the helm, will remain a big part of the A-League.”
After helping coach Ian Ferguson compile a star-studded squad, Sage had high hopes the Glory could attract around 10,000 people per game this season and qualify for the lucrative Asian Champions League.
Instead, the average crowd has been just 7947, while Perth sit a lowly eighth on the table following six losses from their past eight games.
Should Sage remain as owner it would be good news for cash-strapped FFA.
Just last month, FFA chairman Frank Lowy said the governing body would no longer bail out financially-embattled clubs that were not viable.
However, with Perth representing a key market and also being a foundation A-League club, FFA would almost certainly step in to save it from folding.
Perth host ladder-leaders Central Coast on Friday night, when Glory fans will have a chance to voice their opinions about Sage’s ownership.
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
Tony Sage to stay on and will continue his commitment to the club. The Iron Ore Trophy is to be defended ;) http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/1086289/Sage-U-turn-a-relief-for-Glory
Midfielder
Guest
Can certainly understand how he felt ... Pathetic.treatment by the PG fans....... I despise this kind of self righteous fan entitlement behaviour. Always have. Always will. There's no excuse for it. .....Power lies in belief and positivity. To this end about being positive ..... there is a little positive club on the east coast who could do with his dollars ... the fans would clap and cheer him .. I can even see the Yellow army hoist him on their shoulders an he marched around the stadium to the clapping of the crowd....
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
Good on you Tony Sage you are one of the true Australian Football owners who deserves all the respect from the club supporters. For those who claim to be Glory supporters who abused you and your family, they have disgraced themselves and should hang their heads in shame. A banner at your next home game should be erected that illustrates an apology to you Tony and your family.