Reminiscent of their A-League debut more than two years ago, the Western Sydney Wanderers were again held to a goalless draw with the Mariners on Wednesday night.
In a game of passion and a vocal 14,000-strong crowd, I was reminded just how good it is calling Parramatta Stadium home.
On a summery November night, with a cool breeze enveloping the stadium and the echoing rumble of the RBB engulfing us all, Pirtek Stadium showed us all why the Wanderers have already found their perfect home.
After a prolonged absence from the warm embrace of a home game, the night was one of celebration and a collective sigh of relief as we snatched our first point of the season.
A much improved performance from the Wanderers – combined with the inspiring atmosphere of a stadium decked out in red and black – reminded everyone and all the joy of calling the Stadium home.
Walking home in a mixture of contentment and disappointment, I realised there is no need for the Wanderers to go wandering in search of a new home base. They have already found a perfect one, and much like a young bachelor opting for a lonely mansion rather than a homely apartment, a switch to ANZ would be beyond ludicrous.
While I agree accommodating larger crowds are a priority, a move away from the heart of Western Sydney would be, in my eyes, a monumental mistake. Although perhaps a few thousand short of optimum capacity, Parramatta is truly where the Wanderers belong.
Despite the most optimistic outlook, the A-League isn’t capable of decently filling a mammoth stadium such as ANZ. On Wednesday night we struggled to fill Pirtek to even three quarter capacity and even given that it was a mid-week game, such a turn-out doesn’t bode well for such a big upgrade that a move to ANZ would entail.
It is an upgrade of the much smaller kind that is needed. I am of course alluding to the highly sought after renovations to Pirtek Stadium. Initial talks of upgrading and or demolishing the stadium look to be pricey, with an estimated $400 million needed to fulfil such lofty ambitions.
But with thousands of die hard Western Sydney supporters who pay their taxes just like everyone else, such an investment seems more than appropriate and similarly necessary.
It was during the game on Wednesday night the ever-vocal RBB lent their proverbial voice to the issue with a “No to ANZ” banner met with plenty of cheers and nods of agreement from the fans clad in red and black. And although logistically more suitable, I can’t help but agree – ANZ is not where the Wanderers belong.
It was upon the Wanderers’ return home to Parramatta that my own and many other fans’ footballing passion once again started beating after a far too long absence.
P budd
Guest
Still, the average attendance to date is between 13 and 14000. Apart from the final, the attendance at ACL games wasn't particularly good. If you expand the stadium and draw the same crowds the place will feel empty whereas with the exception of visiting supporters area, the place looks fairly full so far this season. The South terrace is better populated than in the first two seasons and that helps the overall atmosphere.
ciudadmarron
Guest
They've just finally implemented a ticket buy back system whereby you can sell your ticket back to the club or pass it on to a mate. It hasn't been that well publicised though - I'm thinking things will improve over the season as use of this goes up. However, ticketmaster are still doing this thing where they hang on to tickets until GAMEDAY to release them. Everyone knows how hard it is to get a ticket - who is going to rock up to the stadium on gameday on the off chance they might get in? The 21000 figure includes all the corporate areas fill to the rafters. For A-league games, the north terrace is also undersold. So the capacity is actually a fair bit lower than that figure. The closest we've got is in the ACL, where those restrictions didn't apply and the corporate facilities were utilised a bit more.
P budd
Guest
Is it about time to take a reality check on the need rather than desire for stadium extensions for WSW? Much is made of the need for larger venues for the Sydney Derby but surely that is the exception and not the rule. Despite having declared membership numbers of over 18000, the numbers do not really stack up when it comes to bums on seats at games. The two games this week have provided crowds of just over 14000 and at a time when the team is on a high from the ACL campaign. There are plenty of comments made about lack of availability of tickets ...well maybe for the North terrace but 15000 appears to be about the norm; sometimes less and maybe a bit more on occasions although even the Derby has never actually seen 21000 inside the stadium so what is the truth and what is the real need.....I don't quite get it?
ken
Guest
That's an interesting question. The state government could lease it out long term to the private sector like they've done with ANZ. Who knows, Westfield might start getting into stadium infrastructure. Something tells me the contract might have covered that. It would need to be private investors on private land imo.
Ian
Guest
This was your team's first A-League home game after 6 weeks and you're worried about what other people comment, and talk about an FFA Cup game for another team and in that competition you were disposed of by a NPL team.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Yeah I noticed the lack of energy as well. But we were all really happy to be back home and watching the boys go round the park. The strong red hue of the crowd was a wonderful sight.
Matt
Guest
the club was actively asking local councils and private firms for submissions to build the Wanderers a 35,000 seat stadium with entertainment precinct as little as 2 months ago although from what ive heard recently they have cooled on the prospect of a move and will be pushing for an upgrade to Parra instead. Paul Lederer has publically stated he thinks Parra could be knocked down and rebuilt for as little as $180m. Considering Montreal Impact managed to build a 20,000 seat stadium for $50-odd million which was completed in 2011 this doesnt seem unrealistic. The hardest thing would be to secure funding Question for those who know more about it, but does the exclusivity contract that ANZ stadium have for the 20 or 30km radius only apply to upgrades funded by the government so that if you find a private backer to fund the upgrade it can go ahead without ANZ approving the upgrade?
ken
Guest
Care to elaborate on the "when" bit? I for one was a little greedy and wanted a site in Blacktown close to home but have realised nothing beats what we have now bar a few extra seats as Josh mentioned. Hopefully the owners realised from the day they bought the club that any decisions that go against the people will be meet with strong opposition, that's how passionate we have become. Either that or they will simply lose supporters. I will always love the club and although it will be hard I am willing to sacrifice my membership to make a point...hmmm... Ok so I won't be sacrificing my membership but I will be protesting damn hard
RBBAnonymous
Guest
I thought 14,500 thousand people for a midweek game was a fantastic turnout. I was expecting 12k. The crowd wasnt as energetic as usual though, hopefully that changes this Saturday against Newcastle where it should be filled to capacity and rocking.
AZ_RBB
Guest
A lot of passionate fans want a brand new stadium. I never want to move from this stadium. But this is all a business and whatever the owners see as most commercial will be final. It'll be a sad day when we move away from the current site.
Josh
Guest
It's funny that the ever-unhappy fans of certain other teams were the first to get stuck into 'only 14,000' people attended and yet conveniently forgot their crowd of 3500 a few weeks ago for an FFA cup semi final match.