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Perth owner Tony Sage has apologised to the club’s fans for his threat to quit last week, using an open letter to re-affirm his commitment to the Glory beyond this A-League season.
But the mining entrepreneur has warned fans that he can’t bankroll the club forever, labelling the current ownership structure as unsustainable.
Last Sunday, Sage stated his intention to walk away at the end of the season due to dwindling home crowds, saying the personal abuse he copped following the 2-1 home loss to Melbourne Heart played a part in his decision.
But Sage says he now regrets the comments and remains committed to the club for the near future.
“Recently I made some comments in an interview which I now regret … and I wish to affirm my intention of remaining the owner of Perth Glory,” Sage wrote in the letter to members, which was also posted on the club’s website.
“I regret suggesting that I intended to depart the club, and I apologise to any members, supporters and sponsors who may have been distressed by these comments.”
Sage has poured more than $10 million into the club since taking the reins in 2007, and is set to lose more than $3 million this season.
It’s a situation that Sage said he simply can’t maintain in the long run.
“The club can’t rely on me to fund its activities indefinitely and, sadly, I don’t have an inexhaustible supply of money to spend on the Perth Glory,” Sage wrote.
“The Hatt Review published earlier this year specifically stated that reliance on a sole benefactor to bankroll a professional football team is not a sustainable business model for Perth Glory.
“I strongly agree with this view and I share a belief that Perth Glory should ideally be run by a competent, independent and experienced board and professional management team that are accountable to the members and operating a profitable and sustainable business.”
Sage also used the letter to throw his support behind under-fire coach Ian Ferguson, who has guided his side to just one win in the past eight games.
Eighth-placed Glory, who are now two points adrift of the top-six, take on ladder-leaders Central Coast in Perth on Friday night.
“Ian, in my view, is a coach who, together with his coaching staff, is doing his utmost to bring success to Perth Glory,” Sage said.
Sage said the Glory needed to either revamp its current stadium deal with nib Stadium, or look for an alternative venue to play their home games in order to stem the club’s current financial losses.
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