Support for football in Australia has always suffered from the cultural cringe. The relative strength of overseas leagues has proven far more alluring than the domestic competition.
And in a multicultural country like Australia, the crimson threads of kinship have often drawn football fans back to their ‘homeland’ clubs in South America, Britain, or the Continent.
In some respects, this preoccupation with overseas competitions is one of football’s great strengths. As a child watching World Cups and Italian and English football on SBS, I learnt a great deal about the world.
To borrow a line from French existential philosopher Albert Camus, ‘all that I know most surely about the morality and obligations of man, I owe to football’.
However, this antipodean view plagued the National Soccer League clubs for most of their history, and entrenched a self-fulfilling prophecy that Australian football is poor because overseas football is better.
And as the talent drain became more pronounced during the 1990s, our best football talent was playing in Europe, not Australia.
This cultural cringe remains a significant challenge for the domestic competition. Turning the so-called ‘eurosnobs’ into passionate supporters of their local side can be an uphill battle.
One of the common charges against the A-League is that the standard is not as high as in Europe. It is folly to argue with such an assertion, the point is self-evident.
You win no points for such an obvious statement.
However, are quality and entertainment really why we watch football?
Nick Hornby wrote in Fever Pitch that “the natural state of a football fan is bitter disappointment, no matter what the score”. To Hornby, football is ritual, commitment and belonging.
With this in mind, I agree that watching Barcelona FC play is certainly entertaining and the quality of football is clearly exceptional.
Yet at 4am, thousands of kilometres away from the action, Barca’s pretty ‘passing carousel’ actually means very little.
It is possible for us to get a thrill from wearing our Barcelona replica shirts, doing the silent fist-pumps so as to not wake the housemates, in the illusion that we are a part of the action – a transplanted culé.
However, it is, in the end, wishful thinking. We are little more than oglers and on-lookers of Barcelona, AC Milan, or Celtic.
Nothing can replicate the experience of being at the ground, among familiar faces who have been there through the highs and lows. And in the A-League, there are indeed plenty of lows.
Watching many of the A-League sides play is often more frustrating than it is fun, more aggravating than artistic.
In the end, however, it is in these lows, and in this physical engagement, where the essence of football support exists.
While everybody welcomes the rising standard of play in Australia, and the arrival of marquee players, it is the A-League’s idiosyncrasies that I find most appealing.
In a salary capped league with restrictions on foreign players, the quality of the A-League perhaps has its limits. It is, essentially, a feeder league. However, is this such a bad thing?
I love the salary cap. In truth, the concentration of wealth in Europe’s big leagues has turned many ‘competitions’ into a farce. Money dictates results, to the point where being a fan of Hereford United or Deportivo La Coruña can be an exercise in self-flagellation.
Winning the league is simply not an option for humble clubs like these.
Moreover, international club tournaments have been reduced to a circle-jerk for the biggest, richest clubs. Gone are the days when Red Star Belgrade or Steaua Bucharest could actually win the European Cup.
These days, Serbian and Romanian clubs are lucky to be fillers for the group stages of the rebranded Champions League.
By contrast, the cap on spending in Australia allows each club a genuine stake in the title race.
I love the restrictions on foreign players. The fact that there is an element of risk in purchasing a silky Argentine midfielder or a stoic Dutch journeyman defender adds to their mystique.
Moreover, it is a test of the coaches’ recruitment, with the need to maximise the output of those five allocated spots on the roster. When coaches get it right with a player like Marcos Flores or Patrick Zwaanswijk, their presence is extra special.
Indeed, I love that the A-League provides an opportunity for young Australian coaches and players. They might have their sights firmly set on a bigger and better future abroad, but this should be considered a credit to the league, rather than a downfall.
That the A-League can provide a platform for Australian coaches and players to lift their gaze to the world benefits the game as a whole.
There are of course several key issues which need to be addressed. The league’s visibility needs to be increased through a greater free-to-air presence, and clubs need more autonomy and involvement in the direction of the game, as do the fans.
The expansion failures have been embarrassing, especially when compared to the success of the AFL in broadening their base.
Nevertheless, the A-League provides what the English Premier League or La Liga cannot – a tangible club to physically support, in a competition that is as fair and equal as any in the world.
While UEFA and FIFA dithers on fair-play rules and remains beholden to moneyed interests, the A-League provides a much-needed respite. It has it’s own rich clubs and small clubs, and it’s fair share of mining and industry tycoons.
However, there are regulatory barriers to them using their wealth to dominate the league.
The fact that the Central Coast Mariners have succeeded on a shoe-string budget with a mostly home-grown squad is a rarity in world football that we shouldn’t take for granted.
Ironically, it may be that these restrictions that actually hamper the overall quality of the A-League. There is an argument that removing squad and salary restrictions would allow clubs to hold on to their young talent and their imports.
However, Australian sporting competitions thrive on egalitarianism. Perhaps it is an institutional manifestation of our tall poppy syndrome and our support for the underdog?
In any event, it is the A-League’s greatest asset in an increasingly commercialised and economically unjust sport.
Kickass Koala
Guest
Elitist .... Thats all i have to say. "Look at me, i support old school teams that have been around for "insert years here" this long. So your a west sydney guy, there is a 2nd team in sydney dude. Ive been to olympic and other old nsl club matches, its kind of pathetic to be honest, and every player on your team is dying for an A-League contract ... ouch! yeah thats gotta hurt!
Realfootball
Guest
Can't you support both? I don't see the problem in supporting Olympic and an A League team.
Jerruy
Guest
As someone who has an 'effnik' background living in SW Sydney what conection would draw me to Sydney Effsee a team from the eastern suburbs?! I'm a proud Olympic supporter & my contributions to the club will never stop. Stick your Z-league try telling someone from east london he has to support Chelsea instead of Millwall or West Ham
mahonjt
Guest
I would say it is even more ordinary than that!
Realfootball
Guest
Great to see such a positive, well argued piece on the Roar. Funny thing the club/supporter relationship. We've been trekking up to Suncorp from Northern NSW since game 1 of the A-League, suffering through some pretty horrible stuff before AP arrived and transformed the club. When GCU arrived, we (my mate and I and our kids) thought we could switch - after all, 1 hour versus 2 hours each way is a big difference in travel time. SO we got memberships,and the team was much better than the Roar for some time, but despite everything, Suncorp felt like home and the Roar felt like our team. So back we all went, extra hour on the road and all, but it really was like coming home. And lo and behold the Gods smiled on us and delivered us AP and a Championship, and then another. Sadly, however, as we are seeing now, what the Gods give, the Gods can also take away. But Suncorp will always be home and Brisbane will always be our team, for better or for worse.
Realfootball
Guest
Absolutely - summer football is brilliant. I love Suncorp on a steamy summer night. sitting in shorts and a tee shirt, most people in thongs. I know the heat does create its problems (mainly due to Fox Sports scheduling of games way too early) but it never did the Brasilians anyharm, did it? I look at those Euro crowds in their Eskimo coats and beanies and I always think that there but for the grace of God...
apaway
Roar Guru
Spot on DaSilva, though the "snobs" aren't all "euro." My flat mate took a Brazilian fan to task (good-naturedly) who suggested the A-League was crap, bad football, no atmosphere etc. We've watched some of the Brazilian league on Setanta and apart from the top clubs the standard is very ordinary.
Joe Gorman
Expert
the mighty Perth Glory - the genesis of the A-League!
dasilva
Roar Guru
I don't really care much about europhiles In my mind people are allowed to enjoy whatever they want in their spare time and if they only get enjoyment watching UCL and EPL matches then that's fine. I'm not here to tell them that is wrong. However I despise eurosnobs (there is a difference between a europhile and a eurosnob) People who look down at you for enjoying the a-league. Who get condescending and insult the standard of the league and say stuff like "why would anyone watch this league" "this is not the a-league it's the z-league" and when you admit you like the a-league they give out a chuckle or a laugh. All I say is that if they say go on about how crap a team and a league and the standard of competition to a fan of any lower division team in europe you probably get bashed. Imagine telling let say a millwall supporter that why do you enjoy watching the team. The english championship is no where near EPL and UCL standard. Your team don't play as entertaining style of football as Barcalona.
Kasey
Guest
I particularly like the idea that out of Cricket, Football, Rugby and Rugby League. One of the chief arguments against football is that Sokkah is the 'foreign' sport! Somehow it's more foreign than the others, or just played by more foreigners around the world?
Kickass Koala
Guest
One other thing to look at too is to remember, alot of those fans of Big League teams more than likely have a smaller team locally they follow in a lower division in there country, ie) a Man Utd fan may also be a fan of a Division 3 team down the road from them. So no reason people cant follow an A League team and still keep up to date with whichever euro club they follow too after all it happens even with those living in europe! :) Many of which probably have more passion for Leyton Orient more so than there love of Arsenal and go to more Orient games than Arse games.
Kickass Koala
Guest
Id agree with this. Im a Bolton Wanderers supporter and the ammount of times i get weird looks or asked why on earth id support a team like that. I always replay with "Why? Because i like the uncertanty week to week, not expecting to only loose 3 - 6 games a season"
bryan
Guest
Enjoyment of the game is not all about watching the best players. Back in 1971 when I spent a while in Southampton ,UK,all my English mates would troop off to the "Dell" regularly,to see the Saints get their bums kicked. I wasn't all that interested in sport at the time,so I didn't ever go--wish I had! But these guys went,supported their team,& had a great time,even with the team being pretty lousy. I don't know the figures for attendance,but when they played at home,they made a serious bit of noise! Perhaps they could have switched to one of the top teams of that period,but very few did. They were eternally optimistic,and eventually were rewarded--many years on! Back in West Oz,until the AFL was formed & the Eagles joined the competition,not many people cared enough about a "higher quality"game to watch the VFL on TV. The WAFL (earlier WANFL) was king! A lot of people followed the NBL in their boom,but not near as many sat up & watched the NBA. My son is an exception,he sits up at night,watches West Ham,the NBA,& NFL,as well as being a mad Glory & Dockers fan. I only follow the last two,but if I was in England,I would definitely follow West Ham!.
fadida
Guest
Like Fuss I now prefer the A-League and only selectively watch other leagues that once I saturated myself on. On the subject of bench expansion, having 7 subs to choose from allows fringe young players 15 minutes in a game they may not have otherwise been involved in. Eg if you're winning 3-0 , game over (assuming you aren't SFC) you may bring on a promising kid as the last sub, and possibly uncover a Rogic or Nabbout who otherwise may have rotted away in the youth team.
asanchez
Roar Guru
Great article Joe. Good stuff. As has been said, most leagues in the world are feeder leagues, there is a big misconception out there that because were not watching the best in the world play in the A-league, that the football on show isn't worth watching. Eurosnobs mentality. The great thing about the world game is that there are so many good players, on so many levels and leagues throughout the world. In the A-league right now, there's a few young guns coming through (Mooy, Rogic, Behich, Ryan), playing alongside plenty of decent A-league level players. We also have and had players that could play in better leagues today, but love playing in Australia. Some of these would be Smeltz, Berisha, Broich, Hernandez, Garcia and Flores, who believe it or not was plucked out of the Chilean 2nd division. And of course the 3 stooges of ADP, Heskey and Ono who show the football world that our league has credibility. It's great watching this league in the stands week in week out, sure it's not EPL standard, but it has quality and drama that makes for very good viewing. Long may it continue.
Jupiter53
Guest
Totally agree. The competition has to be financially sustainable. With the salary cap making things relatively even there are rewards for clubs that develop players from their youth ranks, or find players with potential in lower leagues. There are also rewards for good coaching, for making the most of the players that they have rather than being able to buy a superstar. And even when the competition grows I am in favour of keeping finances even; so TV money must be evenly spread between clubs [not like the Primera Liga or Serie A where the big clubs get most of the money]. That way there will be a basic equality rather than entrenched inequality. I don't want an Australian equivalent of Real Madrid if it means that our Getafe can never hope for more than not being relegated.
Joe Gorman
Expert
Hi JB, thanks for the comment. I've spent most of this year looking at the Green Paper in the State Library, its still the best football newspaper by a long shot. Andrew Dettre is a legend, loved his articles and editorials. Get into contact with me via email if you like, I'd love to have a chat joegsnail@gmail.com
jbinnie
Guest
Joe - An excellent offering that appears to have pleased most of the punters and that is a big plus. You made me smile a little with your reference to how long it took for "summer soccer" to be introduced and some of the reasons I have read since makes me smile even more,for,when writing reports & articles for the Sydney Green Paper around 1979/81,the editor,Andrew Dettre and I had some great discussions on the benefits to be had from such a move.We both agreed it would be beneficial for our national,semi-pro league to be played in summer, while all the other grades of football would be played in winter thus releasing a huge market of already "potential soccer fans" to be aimed at by the clubs. You are right, 9 years it took, but the masters of the game at that time finally "gave in". That was how the code was run at that time. Back to the future Joe and I have written elsewhere in the columns today of a situation that exists at present in our top league that has to be fixed soon for it is a breeding ground for one of the troubles you mention and discuss in your article.I refer of course to the differential in crowd numbers and it is to be hoped that Gallop will address this problem sooner rather than later for our clubs have to remain equitable in income if our league is to flourish in the long term. Keep up the very,very, good work Joe, we need discussion the likes of which you have provided to us. jb
Joe Gorman
Expert
I'm sure we can all agree upon that. Seeing Nicky Carle leave for a club in the UAE based on money alone broke my heart. But its one step at a time at the moment. When the clubs start to become economically self-sufficient, there is a case for raising the cap. Right now, it doesn't seem to financially viable. The A-League may one day become the biggest in Asia, but prematurely rushing it won't do the competition any good in the long term. We need to be patient, and appreciate what we've got.
sheek
Roar Guru
Thanks for the correction Kasey.