It’s been largely ignored or forgotten about, but this month marks ten years since the publication of the Crawford Report, which set football in this country in a fundamentally new direction.
The fact that it has been so overlooked says a lot. Instead of fretting about the still yet to be completed aspects of the report, we were instead caught up in a gripping conclusion to the A-League season.
Which is not to say that the unfinished business is best left forgotten.
For one, the A-League is still owned and operated by the governing body, a decade after the Crawford Report and the NSL Task Force – which included NSL directors Stefan Kamasz, Remo Nogarotto and Andrew Kemeny, not to mention former Socceroos Johnny Warren, Jack Reilly and Charlie Yankos – recommended that it be operated as a separate entity.
There have been rumblings from club owners for a while now, but it seems unlikely that the FFA will loosen its grip on the A-League, and allow it to be run as a separate and independent entity.
Still, those rumblings have quietened this season, and so the issues have been put aside for a rainy day. Not the greatest strategy, but also no reason for football fans to be overwhelmed with negativity about the state of the game.
Indeed, there have been several profound changes in the game which are cause for some celebration.
Fortune, so it is said, favours the brave. After years of flat-lining, the A-League has been rewarded for several high-stakes ventures. And even the most cynical of football fans among us would have to concede that the FFA and many A-League clubs actually deserve the credit for driving this success.
Firstly, the courage of clubs to prioritise local players and coaches has been far better than in previous years. They may not all have succeeded straight away, but the fact that up and coming coaches like John Alosi, Tony Popovic and Alistair Edwards were at least given a fair go is indicative of the seachange.
Secondly, there has been a resurgence of the marquee concept. Sydney FC’s foresight and initiative looks likely to be a good piece of business, but more importantly it has won kudos from fans and widened the horizons of the rest of the competition.
Sydney now have to spend the off-season turning their seven figure gamble into a seven figure swagger.
And of course, the FFA’s foray into the most important sporting market in the country, western Sydney, has been exceptional.
After the bungled attempts at expansion, there were grave concerns that the governing body was rushing headlong into another disaster.
But as the Wanderers started winning games and people from all over western Sydney bought into the project, there was a collective sigh of relief among football fans, regardless of club colours.
The Wanderers have succeeded in creating a coherent narrative to explain their existence. Using phrases like “football comes home” and “the newest oldest club” might annoy some, but the symbolism hasn’t been lost on their legion of supporters.
They’ve got everybody convinced that they are the only club in town with community engagment programs.
It’s the power of good PR and a consistent narrative. Perception becomes reality.
In fact, this narrative has been an important part of the way we’ve discussed both the A-League and football in general this season. Intentionally or not, fans, columnists and commentators around the country are increasingly recognising the game’s history.
Take, for example, Michael Cockerill, who after almost three decades of reporting for the Sydney Morning Herald, now spends his time reminding (or educating) us about great players, coaches, clubs and moments of a bygone era.
Similarly, his colleague Andrew Howe is employed to provide us with facts and statistics that transcend league loyalties.
And all this on the FFA’s website. It would have been unfathomable in the early years of ‘new football.’
It’s an important change, with far reaching effects. Recognising the good, the bad and the ugly of our game’s history is essential to a mature football culture.
The next step is to match the symbolism with practical and tangible change, and further reach out to new frontiers.
On and off the field, football in this country is far from perfect. At the grassroots, parents still don’t get nearly enough bang for their buck, while at the pointy end, there is a World Cup bidding scandal that the FFA will have to answer for sooner or later.
Melbourne Heart are in the throes of an existential crisis, the Central Coast Mariners can’t even afford to pay their players on time and nobody has any faith in the board at Adelaide United. The Socceroos are in serious danger of not qualifying for the next World Cup, and even if they do, watching them play is about as enjoyable as pulling teeth.
Still, uneven development aside, the competition will be more visible than ever next season thanks to a new television deal and the success of this so-called ‘breakthrough season.’ I’m not sure that you can measure the legacy of a season so soon after it’s finished, but the sentiment is clear.
Despite the many problems facing the game, few could have expected football to be where it is at the moment when the Crawford Report was published a decade ago.
To properly tackle the challenges ahead, football fans and administrators deserve a brief moment to relax, celebrate and recognise what went right.
NUFCMVFC
Guest
Costs of renting AAMI Park
NUFCMVFC
Guest
Well actually you poor financials are only swept under the rug by one-off player sales Not to mention you still don't represent anything
West
Roar Pro
The AFL, NRL and Super Rugby are run by the governing bodies and will never be independently owned and run, naive to think they ever will. The FFA has answered all it can about the fateful WC bid, everyone knows its corrupt and who the criminals are, but FIFA is structured so that no one ever gets caught. The FFA have also lifted their game significantly, have resolved their major issues satisfactorily and appointed a competent CEO to get things moving. Sure there are still lots of improvements to be had, but we are light years ahead of what we had before the FFA was formed. The FFA is not responsible for high registration costs. Out of a $230 rego fee, the FFA will only get $12. The vast majority of the fee goes to the insurers and the football club, who charges whatever they can get away with or need to charge.
j binnie
Guest
melange -Not so, I simply use crowd figures to present an actual part of the cash flow generated by 2 clubs over a season. That differential is over $5,000,000 between the top and bottom clubs and what it does indicate is a potential ready made market in which they can aim their marketing strategies. I know I would rather have a potential return from 22,000 people rather than the potential return from 7000 that being the figures as they stand.So the solvency of a club was never mentioned in relation to crowd figures only the potential for disaster if the imbalance is allowed to go on unchecked. ok.jb
Melange
Guest
jb - I'm not a genuis financially but I think from what I've read elsewhere, you're overemphasizing crowd figures to measure the potential solvency of clubs. Far more crucial in the current climate is revenue from the media and digital platforms and, something FFA really need to look at based on figures presented here yesterday responding to the Fin Review article, merchandise sales. With the growth in television audiences for the ALeague and a substantially larger media deal reached recently, I'm very optimistic about the potential solvency of clubs if they get a fair cut of the media revenues. Btw Mr Charlesworth (I know your're reading this) - $140 to buy my son a Mariner's shirt that he'll only fit into for the next year or so? Ridiculous. For that price he opted for a Barcelona shirt WITH Messi's name on it.
j binnie
Guest
nearpost - You don't have to spell out to me the physiological & psychological restraints that have been placed across the board on that magical 11-13 age group. I was proving that to myself back in 1974 when running a club with 19 junior clubs. That's when small sided games were first introduced into coaching curriculums in this country.,yes 1974, not 20, but 40, years ago. If you don't believe me I have written proof. As you say the SSG's were designed to improve technique (if used properly) and I have no argument with that. What we were discussing was that an OUTSTANDING youngster at 12, cannot (according to my friend) be moved up today because of an edict put down by someone at FFA headquarters. That to me is stopping that same OUTSTANDING youngster from gaining an early introduction into the next phase of his football education,the area of tactics & team work. It does not mean HIM being moved up (as you put it) to play with these "mythical giants" that have suddenly sprouted inside 12 months. OK? jb.
nearpost
Guest
JBinnie soo many kids play up and play up in age for years and the quality of their technique doesn't improve. You improve technique by touching the ball over and over....surely kids will touch the ball much more in their own age group,..then they'll get better...than they ever would by playing up. Kids can play, at U12, in defence in midfield, all over the park if they are so good...I'm sure they'll still have a lot to learn about positions and skills at this age. Most kids who play up are placed on the wings for their protection from bigger boys/girls...unless of course the whole league is full of players playing up. It was becoming ridiculous with the whole country seeing U12s playing U14 or U14 playing U19 because they were just soooo good. The truly strong kids will be in the SAP programs etc and they'll get plenty of opportunities to play up in a learning environment. Parents, kids and coaches want everyone to play up - but does a kid's technique improve..Messi's technique maybe but ain't seen a Messi in my twenty odd years around Aussie grounds. Improve their technique...in age..and watch em fly when they play up later.
1860melbourne
Guest
Football does have alot of advantages over other sports in that the football industry doesnt stop. World Cups that come around every 4 years , interest, people taking up the game , tv ratings seem to explode around World Cup time. I think for that reason Football KPI s are difficult to measure. We dont know the effect Asia Cup 2015 will have on the A league except that it will be positive. If the National Team were to surprise and make last 16 in Brazil would create even more interest for the A league just like in 2006. An A league team making the final 4 of the ACL would be great ad for the A league. Football never stops.
pete4
Guest
On the flip-side in terms of profit this method isn't bad either... "Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan, part of the Abu Dhabi royal family, whose private investment group owns City, is ready to invest a $100 million "expansion fee" to create the 20th MLS team" Man City owners set for MLS franchise in New York http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/204867.html
Neil
Guest
I still love football!
Its the game stupid
Guest
great comment, the media attack will come 7 and 9 both have a lot to lose from the success of the A-laegue Look at he misreporting of Pim Verbeeks comment s, on the fornt pages of media outlet that would never cover football there before...... remember the way they behaved over Super League when a dollar was at stake ....
Towser
Guest
"Dreamin" definitely but for football reasons. Its unrealistic to expect the league here to have greater attendances, than the standard of football on the park. If it did it would buck the world trend. If it can reach the attendance level of similar Leagues(MLS,J League 15-20,000) then its would be cooking with gas. Even then in relation to the population of the USA & Japan it would be overachieving. Also what will hold the average attendance down in Australia is population size outside the Capital cities in other centres. Thats why its important that the Capital Cities clubs get the diverse football following population to attend the A-League & for it to become their major football focus. Average crowds under 10,000 in two capital cities last season are not acceptable & should be at least 15,000 average. Brisbane should be 15-20,000 & Sydney & Melbourne clubs(any) should be over 20,000. So far only Victory is in the right ball park
Its the game stupid
Guest
Got to be kidding this is the real world of football , every body execept maybe England players ( and most of them do a stint in another country ) go overseas . THIS IS STRENGTH OF FOOTBALL.. .. Its over 50% of all world sport ,,, your thinking is small scale AFL/NRL ..kick in the park stuff They lean overseas and it lead sto the extraordinary level of elitism football has in the A- league.. this is our advantage over the other codes .. We have over a million players to chose from and fewer teams with fewer players in each Both these factors leads to the the A-league being our most elite sporting comp ( before you throw in the imports) So stop complaining and lean to do the math......
Its the game stupid
Guest
Got to be kidding this is the real world of football , every body execept maybe England players ( and most of them do a stint in another country ) go overseas . THIS IS STRENGTH OF FOOTBALL.. .. Its over 50% of all world sport ,,, your thinking is small scale AFL/NRL ..kick in the park stuff They lean overseas and it lead sto the extraordinary level of elitism football has in the A- league.. this is our advantage over the other codes .. We have over a million players to chose from and fewer teams with fewer players in each Both these factors leads to the the A-league being our most elite sporting comp ( before you throw in the imports) So stop complaining and lean to do the math......
Stavros
Guest
As Darryl Kerrigan would say "Tell him he's dreaming". If you are right, just imagine what it will be like in 30 years! Wow, they will have to build 60k+ stadiums around the country to satiate the appetite of the fans.
Stevo
Guest
What are your ticket price by the way Jukes? Maybe it's got something to do wth us having to pay rent on a $200M stadium for an afternoon's football entertainment? Just thinking aloud. Cheers
Midfielder
Guest
Joe Enjoyed the article some very valid points.... My business background and training makes me focus on achievable goals ..... beyond that setting an overall plan with key measurement tools and targets along the way..... Lets take our present position crowds 12.6 K rating on pay TV 80K .... Products...Nine national teams, A-League, Youth League, W-League, ACL, Australia Cup [maybe].... Media Deal 40 million... FTA coming .... a new bunch of young players coming tho ... [just needs a coach] look at Robbie Kruse [yet he struggle to get picked]. The say 10 year plan would be to make football a strong number two in each state thereby making it the countries number one sport... Next bit is over to FFA they need to grow the game each year and be ready for the attack from the media.... but for reasons that need to be understood ...... Most media outlets are down sizing their reporting staff and running more national lines News & Fairfax are perfect examples of this... as is this site.... The people that currently work their are slowly being fired and not replaced .... meaning those that are left are from a bygone era when other codes had all the media.... and these folk have little skill and knowledge outside the code they played and have followed for years .... they are scared of Football because they don't know enough about it to keep a job if football reporting was done... and this goes right to the senior people as well...Meaning to protect their jobs it is in their interest to attack football .... it will be less than before but will IMO become very dirty... Steady growth will hand football over ten years a strong number two position in all states ... today we are number two in all states but a weak number two.... at 10% growth a number doubles every seven years ... assume football could grown by 10% per year on average...these would be our figures... BTW I understand new broadcast methods are coming but using existing to show what I mean... Current Crowds 12.6 PayTV ratings 80K At 10% Growth after 7 years ... this makes football a very strong number two in all states Crowds 25.2 K Ratings 160 K At 10% after 10 years..... this is what scares some folk is the low base we have and if we can grow like wow ... Crowds 33.5 K Ratings 212.5K
j binnie
Guest
Realfootball - I am not proposing a good 12 year old should play at under -16, level but not to move that same boy up 1 year to me is tatamount to telling the kid his development is on hold for 12 months, and the friend I mentioned did not disagree with me. Why not have a go at telling us the sound development and sports science principles that prove us to be wrong. I am genuinely interested. jb
j binnie
Guest
pete4 - The figures I quoted to you were from 14 home matches for each team, generated over a season and did not include final series monies. so the differential would show in each clubs books as income from home matches and remains a huge $ 5.25 million. On the other matter I did say a C of E was an excellent idea provided it was run properly and it is to be hoped it does make a substantial addition to the club's income stream.Mind you if you can raise a player from junior level to transfer standard of $1,000,000, then the "profit" would have to be measured, not in 20% or so but probably 220%, good business is it not???? jb
Towser
Guest
Realfootball Without reading a load of academic waffle it doesn't diminish skills it enhances them personal experience tells me so. Messi,Georgie Best,Dennis Law etc copped & coped with the physicality, overcame it, by constantly improving their skills. Playing against older opponents(within reason of course) overcoming physicality with ever improving skill finds out who amongst those fragile bodies has the mettle to go on to be a top class professional. Well remember a particular skinny lad with magical ball skills who made us look like donkeys & up till 15 coped with playing against older opponents. Then he left school & the men started to knock him around a bit on the park,slowly watched him lose interest. Thats what makes Messi etc the players they are,they can overcome this "knocking around" & get on with it