It was not meant to be like this for the Newcastle Jets: a new owner with deep pockets and willingness to invest and a commitment to engage with the local community had finally arrived.
However, fans, players and staff of the Hunter club have been plunged into uncertainty just as a bright future for football in the region beckoned.
Having endured a far from smooth ride under the ownership of Con Constantine, football in Newcastle looked set to fulfil its undoubted potential when Football Federation Australia handed the Jets’ licence over to mining magnate Nathan Tinkler and his Hunter Sports Group.
Fast forward 18 months and the future of the club is on the line, with Tinkler handing back his licence despite being legally bound to run the club until 2020.
When announcing their decision to hand back the licence, HSG said it was the result of the breakdown of relations with the FFA and a lack of confidence in the governing body.
HSG’s chief gripe is the fee they paid when they took over the ailing club, which is believed to have been much higher than that paid in other ownership transfers.
HSG’s concerns have basis and are yet another example of the governing body’s struggles with transparency.
However, this is not to place all the blame at the feet of the FFA, as club owners have a responsibility to fans, players and staff to act in their best interests.
Effectively closing the club is far from doing so.
Whilst the job of apportioning blame is already well under way, something that is much less debatable is the impact this will have on the increasingly weary Hunter football community. Having endured a tumultuous past in both the National Soccer League and in the A-League, the region has sadly become accustomed to drama surrounding its leading club.
Whilst this may be nothing new to the region’s football fans, it has the potential to be by far the most serious threat to the sport because these days were meant to be a thing of the past.
In the hands of HSG, the club’s financial future appeared secured, community engagement had made massive strides, and the public appeared to be right behind the club with very healthy attendances throughout the season.
All these positive steps appear to have been for nothing and a region that has given much to football in this country is starring down the prospect of losing its top flight football club.
Whilst the demise of the Gold Coast and North Queensland dented the game, this would represent the biggest blow yet to the A-League.
Novocastrians are amongst the most passionate fans in the competition and have a very strong and unique local identity. Would they continue to support the sport without being able to go and cheer on their hometown team every second week?
It is very doubtful.
Football can ill afford this as few other markets offer the same opportunity to harness such a well established local identity.
Even if the club remains in the competition, many will be wary of investing too much of their time in a sport that seems tied to drama and uncertainty. And who could blame them.
Football offers enough highs and lows without constantly having to worry whether your club is going to be around next season.
The need for finance in the sport is well known, and those who are willing to invest their own money in the game should be welcomed to contribute.
However, the cost of securing finance cannot be the good of football. The sport must not be taken away from its life blood, the fans, as without them, there is little worth protecting.
Follow me on Twitter @beaubusch
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