While most attention over the next week will centre on Melbourne Victory’s upcoming blockbuster clash with English giants Liverpool, it is some lesser-known local clubs which the A-League side is not playing that continues to leave some fans perplexed.
Since its first game of competitive football more than eight years ago, Victory has only played off once against either of Melbourne’s former football heavyweights, South Melbourne and Melbourne Knights.
The reason for the lack of fixtures stem from the Football Federation of Australia (FFA), who are hesitant to sign off on matches between Victory and the two historic clubs now battling it out in the Victorian Premier League.
It is likely this reluctance is driven out of a fear for the potential outbreak of crowd trouble and consequently, the damaging of the game’s so-called ‘brand’.
But, really, is this anxiety justified?
The only previous history between these clubs suggests the FFA may be missing out on a grand opportunity to bridge the current divide between ‘Old Soccer’ and ‘New Football’.
This Saturday will mark six years since that solitary occasion, when more than 9,000 turned out to witness former National Soccer League (NSL) powerhouses South Melbourne play host to the new boys in town, Victory.
That’s right – 9,000 spectators.
Oh, and did I mention it occurred at Bob Jane Stadium (now known as Lakeside Stadium) on a cold, wintry midweek evening?
The excitement surrounding the game at the time was palpable.
The queue to get in stretched dozens of metres outside. Articles about the game even surfaced in Melbourne’s major daily newspapers prior to kick-off.
For a moment, it was easy to forget this was a mere practice match against a state side featuring a vastly-depleted line-up.
Indeed, there were some minor disturbances on the evening that need mentioning: a scuffle began between some supporters that was quickly broken up by police; while a flare lobbed onto the pitch by Victory fans struck an unsuspecting South Melbourne defender in the back.
Although these occurrences sound far from pleasant, they are easily preventable with simple and effective security measures.
And if the authorities can get it right, what a spectacle we could be in for.
Imagine the atmosphere from the inevitable thousands that would turn out if Victory were to travel to Somers Street to take on four-time NSL premiers Melbourne Knights.
Moreover, envisage the cash that could be raised for these local Victorian clubs from gate and canteen sales.
It is worth noting Knights has hosted A-League competition before when it twice faced off against Melbourne Heart – once in 2011 and once last year.
A healthy crowd was attracted on both occasions, but it would be nothing on the turnout if the opponent was two-time A-League champions and the heavily-supported Victory.
With the prospect of an FFA Cup mooted for 2014, and even a second-tier “B-League” competition in the coming years, it appears inevitable that Victory will take to the pitch against South Melbourne or Knights sooner or later.
So, FFA, why not save us the hassle?
The time has come to be brave and finally gift us football fanatics the fixtures we have patiently been waiting for over the last eight years.
With the right planning, there should be little to worry about.
Franko
Guest
"this may be the most significant friendly ever played in Australia" I laughed when I read that also. Clearly it was written before European giants Wolverhampton Wolves played perrenial superweights North Queensland Fury in Perth.
c
Guest
hey mazz would that be Italian ethnic descent ?
Kasey
Guest
+1 combination of rose coloured rear-view glasses and complacency. The anti-sockah media types have been quiet recently, doesn't mean they aren't poised to leap on any hint of a reason to kick the game. They've had to swallow their bile as football has put some good runs on the board in recent times, but I don't for one second think they're ready to hang up the poison pen. I have anxiety for the FFA Cup.
Stevo
Guest
Ian, it's 6 years on from that night. Have your thoughts changed about the HAL? What about your comment "Tonight that truism is on hold because this may be the most significant friendly ever played in Australia." ? Did it change anything?
Ian Syson
Guest
Yes Rusty. This was the article in the Age - http://www.theage.com.au/news/soccer/a-chance-to-stick-it-to-new-football/2007/06/19/1182019118417.html
Mazzalenko
Guest
A pathetic comment MelbCro? If you are the MelbCro who used to be on the MVFC forum or still post on that forum then you should take your own advice son. Didn't realise so many NSL relics are getting touchy....for the record MelbCro, I saw footage recently on YouTube, of an NSL match in Sydney back in the 80's where the crowd invaded the pitch and play had to be stopped now please tell me a moment where this has occured since 2005 when A-League started? Being a football fan why would you compare the 'bad press' between A-League and NSL in any event like your trying to justify CRO AZIA CRO AZIA coming bak into the fold? The trouble A-League fans have supposedly caused is NOTHING compared to the 27 year history of NSL so please dont go there!
Mazzalenko
Guest
What hate am I spreading exactly Pete? oh and I stand corrected on the spelling...was writing my post at work yesterday making sure my manager was not around so I was in a rush. I'll read the thesauras next time before I post hey Shakespeare?
Mazzalenko
Guest
Rusty for the record I'm also of ethnic descent and being in my mid 30's I grew up with NSL but those days are over and I do not feel either club should be anywhere near the A-League. A large part of this is quite frankly I'm sick of South thinking they have some 'devine right' to be in the A-League because of their supposed history. With all due respect please be real and realise that as a code we have come a long way from the NSL in terms of crowd and play, if you chose to be an NSL relic then thats your perogative, but I have moved on.
Towser
Guest
Let me just add also this was the main problem with the early expansion ideology(personally dont think Buckley had a clue on this). GCU & NQF were a bit like the tin man from the Wizard of Oz,they were a bit hollow inside,didn't have a heart. Unfortunately neither did many of the founding clubs including SFC. Well they had one just didn't know where they'd put it. Maybe one of their many CEO's,coaches or chairmen left it on a train on the way to the Blue Mountains via Western Sydney
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
"both clubs will hope to be at around 15 000 by Round 1." MVFC is confident of being over 20k by R1.
Towser
Guest
The drive for any sport to push onwards & upwards comes from the heart. The proven heart of football in Australia( number of clubs/Socceroos produced etc) is Western Sydney. KIcked off right & continuous to do so. I will make a bold prediction if in 5 years this club WSW continuous its upward trajectory by continuing to get it right on & off the park the rest of the A-League will have followed,including most importantly SFC. A strong Sydney means a strong A-League.
AZ_RBB
Guest
not as easy as it sounds. most people with a genuine interest in membership found a Foundation Member to sign them up in the second round which closed on July 4. but hey who knows. these numbers are unprecedented.
striker
Guest
AZ RBB WSW will get the 15000 they want as the general public have yet to purchase them.
AZ_RBB
Guest
MVFC announced last night that they've hit 10 000 members. congrats WSW announced this morning they're just under 10 000. both clubs will hope to be at around 15 000 by Round 1.
kensington
Guest
I recall the last time MV played SM in a friendly. It turned out to be a marketing disaster. The game was showcased as old soka meets new. A few overzealous supporters lit a few flares and that was enough ammunition for ch 7 to run a headline propoganda story on soka hooliganism. It was a pr disaster for the FFA so I'm not surprised at all they at the FFA are still hesitant to risk giving the anti soka media more ammunition.
MelbCro
Guest
What a pathetic comment. A-League fans have caused more 'hooliganism' and bad press than my club has over the past decade.
Pete
Guest
It is HEAR, HEAR, not "here here", Mazzalenko, old son. If you want to spread hate in public and in writing, first learn to spell.
Rusty Woodger
Roar Pro
Thanks Peter, I am well aware of that, particularly as I was present at the match. Same with last week against Bentleigh and tonight against Port Melbourne. Despite the title of this piece, it is clearly directed towards the other, better-known "Old Soccer" clubs. Cheers.
Rusty Woodger
Roar Pro
Heartwarming to see the respect you hold for two of the most successful and historic sides this nation has seen. You know, the A-League has also had some history of crowd disturbances, but is that acceptable because we are supposedly not "ethnic"? Come on ... be real.
Mazzalenko
Guest
Here Here Alfed obviously Rusty Woodger has got rose coloured glasses on and as you point out ppl have become complacent especially with all the good our game is receiving over the last 12 months. Victory has played so far in this preseason Bentleigh, Richmond and will be playing Port Melbourne tonite but of course Rusty Woodger thinks those clubs a pesky little pimples on the ass of the FFV and Victory should be taking on the so called giants being Hellas and Croatia (yes their own fans chant these names). My answer is get stuffed....why should my club which is not ethnically aligned play against two teams whose fans have been the biggest trouble makers in the history of football in this state and risk getting bad publicity from the press??? Is anyone actually serious with such a request? To answer your question Rusty the anxiety is well and truly justified....let South and Knights vanquish in VPL (hopefully both also get relegated to lower leagues which is what occured to those other problem clubs being Preston Makedonia and Alexandria Warriors).