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If the A-League is to grow in a sustainable way the FFA must get serious about club management issues. Nathan Tinker and the Hunter Sports Group giving back their license due to communication issues with the FFA is totally unacceptable.
That the A-League has lost the Hunter Sports Group’s backing is a terrible development. The progress and changes Tinkler had made at Newcastle are brilliant.
Their club is one that all should follow in terms of garnering community and grassroots engagement. Whilst crowds were not huge they were notably improved and the model that was put in place was definitely destined for continued growth.
Unlike Clive Palmer at Gold Coast United, Tinkler did not simply wish to pump in copious amounts of cash with a view to have state of the art facilities and conditions.
Anyone can upgrade equipment and staff, Tinkler chose to employ time and effort into figuring out ways to engage with people and build a club identity that fans could relate to, with more than 10,000 members tribute to that.
It is a shame that disputes with the FFA have brought about this event. It is also a shame the Hunter Sports Group are losing millions and have no real monetary incentive to continue to run the club.
The exorbitant $5 million license fee he paid when joining the club incensed Tinkler. The club have continually tried to discuss this issue and a myriad of others with the FFA regarding alternative franchise and governing structures yet appear have been unable to gain a workable forum with those who run the sport.
What will fans sa now? Buckley and Gorman along with other FFA executives are perceived to be over-paid and under-engaged bosses of a league still in infancy. I and many other football fans feel they are not open enough to voices advocating alternative ways of governance and decision-making.
Craig Foster believes there are too few football people charged with running our game and therefore situation, like the case of the Fury, Gold Coast and now the Jets, occur which eat at the fabric of the sport.
More money needs to be put into running the clubs, into persisting with the clubs. More time and effort needs to be put into listening to people like Tinkler, who pour millions out there pockets to run clubs rather than disengagement which ultimately will always drive them away.
The FFA need to save the Jets. Tinkler actually ran the part of the game he was responsible for well. The FFA don’t.
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.