On the eve of the Western Sydney Wanderers semi-final tie with FC Seoul, it has been revealed that should the Wanderers make the final, which is played over two legs, Parramatta (Pirtek) Stadium will not meet certain AFC requirements.
With a capacity of around 22,000, it has already been suggested that ANZ be where the Wanderers home leg is played rather than at Parramatta Stadium. Required to accommodate a mass of officials, reporters and fans if the Wanderers do make the final, Parramatta Stadium’s limited size may well mean one of the team’s most important games will be played away from home.
Now don’t get me wrong, Homebush is still under the spectrum of Western Sydney, but this will be the Wanderers’ first competitive match in the venue meaning any sort of advantage gained by familiarity is lost.
But what is familiarity compared to the fans that fill the seats you say? Well in truth, I suspect a shift to ANZ will, rather than detract from the home crowds number, only enhance them to meteoritic levels.
With free public transport conveniently situated at Olympic Stadium, I can see no reason why 80,000 can’t show up donning red and black.
But regardless of the lift such a crowd will provide the Wanderers, won’t the team lose some of its advantage by playing on an unfamiliar pitch?
If this shift does happen, where should the Wanderers call home?
With a rapidly expanding fan-base, memberships for the forthcoming season have just tipped over the 15,500 mark. The Stadium may well struggle to met the growing demands of the football club.
Provided each member claims their allocated seat this season, very little seating remains for away fans and non-members.
This is a problem that can very easily be fixed however, by simply relocating roughly 15 kilometres up the road. ANZ Stadium, with a capacity of around 80,000 will be more than equipped to house every Wanderers fan and then some.
But such space is itself a problem. With an average attendance of 13,000 last season, I’d struggle to see – even with membership on the rise – 25,000 turning up for every Wanderers game.
This then leaves upwards of 50,000 vacant seats, a sight no-one likes to behold – particularly on television.
So it’s a choice between two evils. You can either have a packed stadium weekly, where fans are missing out. Or you can have a half-filled stadium that allows every football fan and his dog to attend.
Now this is a tough choice as there are two factors we must consider. First the Wanderers ties to Parramatta Stadium, having housed the Wanderers for what will be at least three seasons, can the Wanderers abandon their home for the allures of a mega-fortress in the form of ANZ?
But therein lies the problem. For this mega-fortress, in having such superior space may well mean the Wanderers play their home-leg of the Asian Champions League final, if they make it, away from their traditional home.
So that’s our second consideration, should we not familiarise ourself with the stadium we’ll be expected to play our big matches in?
Personally, I’m struggling to find answer to this question. Located within walking distance of Parramatta Stadium, I can see both the positives and negatives of a shift in venues.
NRL sides including the Parramatta Eels have struck a compromise in their search for an answer to the question by simply picking both. The Eels are contracted to a few games at ANZ each year, which allows for bigger crowds and players to familiarise themselves with the stadium without abandoning their traditional home.
Should the Wanderers do the same?
But with an upgrade to Parramatta Stadium seemingly on the horizon, is it best just to wait it out rather than even contemplate following in the NRL’s footsteps.
With talks in April of a $120 million upgrade that would see Parramatta Stadium rise to a capacity of 32,000, this appears to be an ideal solution to the Wanderers conundrum. But with talks of an upgrade previously scrapped in 2007 and 2010, I for one aren’t getting my hopes up.
As we await to see what emerges from these talks of an upgrade, can you feasibly see the Wanderers and it’s RBB in ANZ?
It is still Western Sydney after all. If they make it, it will be where the Wanderers will play one of their biggest games ever.
Kane Cassidy
Roar Guru
Funny, didn't see any of those either. Plenty of sky blue in St George though.
Josh
Guest
You keep bringing that up like WSW fans even care, after beating Guangzhou Nevergrande most WSW fans look forward not back. Keep it up though, the hatred of WSW makes it fun.
Josh
Guest
Are you saying that the FFA paid for him to go to Brisbane to the final ?
Kasey
Guest
Plastics! Real fans would risk pneumonia in winter to wear a short sleeve summer top in deepest winter just so they can rep their team. Of course those of us with a brain buy a team jacket and wear that:)
Kasey
Guest
Why are we even discussing this? IMO we get sucked in to the AFL fan mentality that crowd numbers are a direct correlation to a sport's worthiness as an endeavour. They get freakishly large crowds and use this to imply that other pursuits are less worthy of existing. Lovers of sports other than AFL rightly get defensive and so we constantly discuss crowd numbers. ANZ offers the possibility of a 50,000 club football crowd despite its flaws so those that have crowd figures in their eyes constantly bring ANZ stadium into the conversation. Those of us that believe in the game-day experience trumping the crowd figure d1ck measuring contest are constantly pointing out that the true fans want the boutique stadium and screw the bandwagoners.
Lachlan
Guest
Part of the appeal of playing at Parramatta is that the game day experience can start well before kickoff. People can go and get dinner, coffee or a beer at the local pubs and restaurants before the game (benefitting the local economy) and hang out with other fans. Then the RBB can match them to the stadium. In Europe, and even in the MLS, stadiums are often located close to the centre of town and are part of the charm of the experience. Western Sydney play in arguably the "capital" of western Sydney, in a central spot where fans can get to the stadium. In Adelaide, the AFL figured this out by moving games back to the Adelaide Oval, and have been rewarded by massively increased crowds. Moving Wanderers games to Homebush will destroy that culture and ground atmosphere that attracts so many fans - it could actually decrease crowds. The real solution is to get Parramatta stadium to 32,000 - that way The Wanderers (and the Parramatta Eels) can fill their own stadium with fans. Plus - Sydney FC fans like me can come to Parramatta and add to the spice of the occasion!
Sm6
Guest
I've seen Dicko parading in a MVFC jersey and a SFC jersey.But he now parades in a WSW jersey as a paid representative.He admitted he was approached by Lyall Gorman and was receiving payment in the same way Jim Wilson (a Queenslander who wouldn't piss on Sokkah a few years ago) is paid.The real fans are in the terraces riding their teams emotions at their own expense
Leonardo
Roar Guru
Why do people keep knocking the ANZ Stadium? Some of the best games I've ever seen there and the atmosphere is amazing. Its the people who make the atmosphere, not the concrete walls. If you fill a Stadium full of whingers, then the atmosphere won't be that great, will it?
AZ_RBB
Guest
I'm sure they're looking at it. The club is still very young. Just because we've won a few games doesn't mean every single aspect of the club is in perfect working order yet. Staying at Parra is a safe option for the time being while everything else is sorted out. Only the derbies would draw over 40k. Can't see Brisbane or MVFC clashes drawing over 40k unless it's very good timing.
Post hoc
Guest
yewonk, yea I know that is disappointing, I think what would be worse though is if he pushed through Penrith just because it is his local
Post hoc
Guest
Walked through the station yesterday saw a guy wearing one, Fridays see a few more for casual Fridays etc
Davo
Guest
Ok I have seen Dicko wearing a WSW jersey and parade around supporting with the RBB, never have I seenhim support the Swans... See now how idiotic your statement is now?
bitza
Guest
Why can't the WSW do what parramatta do and play 3-4 games a year at ANZ. Two sydney derbies this year should be played at Anz. And a grand final replay with Brisbane Roar. And maybe a game against Melbourne Victory. None of the above games should have a crowd of less than 40k. and it gives an opportunity for current fans who can't buy membership or can't afford a full year of them to buys a Membership pack of 3-4 games. either way a move will happen. NRL clubs and the NRL get paid to play at ANZ and the wanders nee owners are businessmen. they will are the move soon.
Leonardo
Roar Guru
No. That's not a stadium they're going to build near the M7 junction its the WestLink Connex Tunnel. I hate having to say this BR, but it annoys me - its "their own stadium" not "there own stadium". No wonder you lost the bid mate.
Justin Mahin
Guest
Melbourne play out of AAMI and Etihad (now always in rectangular mode). It's a brilliant arrangement for the club and given them tremendous flexibility via the fixture to maximise revenue and have their entire operation under one roof at AAMI. Wamderers would be mad not to consider something similar at the right price.
zutto
Guest
Upgrade Parra stadium. Upgrade everything in Parra, and you get twin city Sydney.
Josh
Guest
3 days ago I saw a black Bentley driving through Castle Hill with a WSW member sticker on the back window. At least 1 person thinks enough of the team to get on board.
Josh
Guest
No but she is a regular at restaurants on Church Street. It's only a matter of time until she sings for Wanderers.
ciudadmarron
Guest
And who do you support Ginge?
ciudadmarron
Guest
I would expect that anyone passing through a CBD area near the stadium for a short while would need to see at least 5. You're right AZ - time to move.