A third Sydney A-League team based in the city’s south and in the Illawarra would not be stepping on the toes of Sydney FC, according to one of the key men involved in the push.
Football South Coast chairman Eddy de Gabriele has confirmed his association is involved in talks with the Sutherland Shire and St George associations – driven by Football Federation Australia (FFA) – to join forces and form a ‘super club’ to possibly replace Wellington next season in the A-League.
The plans have drawn the ire of Sydney FC chairman Scott Barlow, who says southern Sydney is a critical region for the club and that another team would effectively cut their market in half.
However, de Gabriele told AAP: “If it’s a Sutherland-Illawarra team, I don’t think it’s fair and reasonable to say we would be stepping on their toes.”
“Growth for the competition and for the game is as important for the preservation of the individual clubs.
“For the good of the game, you’ve got to be able to reach as far as you can into these communities.
“I think it’s a no-brainer, demographically.”
In a furious statement, issued Wednesday afternoon, Barlow said a new team would be a devastating blow since 25 per cent of Sydney FC members and 40 per cent of the club’s junior members live south of Mascot, while the Sky Blues also had more members from Sutherland than any other region of Sydney.
However, FFA believes the A-League has not properly tapped into the southern Sydney area, with David Gallop confirming on Wednesday they are looking carefully at introducing a new team if the Phoenix don’t take up a four-year licence extension.
It’s understood there are three separate forces at play attempting to bring A-League football in some capacity to the Illawarra region, the first being FFA’s preferred ‘super club’ model.
De Gabriele said Football South Coast was approached by FFA and the organisation had been present at every single meeting related to the formation of the new club.
Early indications are the club would split home games between Remondis Stadium in Cronulla and WIN Stadium in Wollongong.
Television mogul Bruce Gordon, long touted as a possible A-League investor, is considering an alternative bid for a standalone Wollongong team and has been in direct discussions with outgoing FFA chairman Frank Lowy.
Also in the mix is former NSL champions the Wollongong Wolves, who are thought to be unaffiliated with the other groups and a long way back in the running.
De Gabriele said Football South Coast had had no official contact with Gordon since around six months ago, when they were asked if they would support a Wollongong A-League bid.
De Gabriele told him they would – but that Football South Coast’s preference was to align themselves with FFA’s strategy surrounding a third Sydney club.
“At the end of the day, it’s FFA’s competition. The template is based on population bases – David Gallop has made that point clear,” he said.
“It’s in the best interests of Football South Coast to partner and foster with any group that has an A-League licence to operate in this region.”
RBBAnonymous
Guest
Nicholas I think some of your post is a little bit factually incorrect. For a start when the Wellington Phoenix joined the competition we were already in the Asian confederation. So we knew what we were getting ourselves in for when we asked them to join the competition. How can you also say they aren't contributing, they are part of the A-league just like every other team. They contribute as much and sometimes more than other teams. You would expect that as a team from NZ that most of the players would be New Zealanders, if people are asking that they should be developing Australian players well that's part of the problem that the FFA at the time should have been aware of. I think its a raw deal for the Phoenix who I think have been terrific for the A-league. The Wellington phoenix is being used as a scapegoat here and the FFA is using this as an opportunity to push for a 3rd Sydney team. A little unfair I might add. If you are going to bring up revenue or broadcasting rights then that is not their responsibility either just like it isn't for the other 9 teams in the A-league. That is the responsibility of the FFA. The FFA simply shouldn't award the rights to Sky NZ. The thing is both Fox and Sky sports are paying for a 10 team competition. I think that's what people are missing here. Its not a case of Fox supporting 9 teams and Sky supporting 1 team. Both Broadcasters are buying the rights for the whole A-league, that includes all the clubs.
144
Roar Guru
At the end of the day New Zealand is no longer apart of the same confederation as us and no other league in the world has a cross confederation league. So why should we now!? It now makes no sense to still have them in the league if they do not contribute 1. to the confederation as we are in 2. To the league and the franchise called the A-Legaue.
144
Roar Guru
But even then people are making the argument that they want more derbies. For example i remember someone saying on twitter, "They should put Auckland city in there because a kiwi derby would be huge" They wouldn't even fill a quarter of the stadium!
Rocco75
Guest
If the FFA continue on their path, then the FFA risks weakening an established A-League club in SFC at the expense of a new Sydney club as well as throwing out a club like Wellington that aren't a basket case at present. Stupid business decision in my opinion. FFA are going to screw this up, I can feel it. If I was Traktovenko I would pull the pin on owning SFC.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Criticise whomever you choose. Just be aware that no professional player, nor professional coach, of any repute would (should) give a stuff about your uneducated opinion. Just as I wouldn't give a stuff what you, or any outsider, thinks about the decisions I make in my job. If you have some experience in doing my job, for sure, I'll pay attention. Otherwise your view on how I conduct my business is worth FA.
Sydster
Roar Rookie
I live a cigarette smoke away from Pirtek, have been a member of Sydney FC since the inception of the A-League and had no thought whatsoever of changing allegiances to wsw when the new club was introduced into the competition a few years ago.Where the FFA completely stumbles over itself with the thought of a southern Sydney club is understanding fans bonds and a self belonging people have towards the club they support.Certainly there is a business proposition the FFA is examining in regards to the region considered, they risk more than fried egg or two magnetised to their faces by showing unparalled greed with their mission to introduce a manufactured southern Sydney club all in the name of additional derbies and supposed escalated revenue.All they will achieve is disenfranchising FC fans who won't fall over themselves to follow a new club, the same fans who will refuse to jump on a wanderer bandwagon. The changing of clubs can not be considered as simple as a change of underwear.The FFA has not learnt from their greedy, failed venture of introducing a 2nd Melb team which came into the competition far too soon and with no point of difference with the established club from that city.What assurances do the FFA have Sydney fans will jump ship, put 11 years of tears, joy and a rivalry with a club the opposite side of the city that is the envy of all football codes in this country that suddenly all is brushed under the carpet and emotionally connect with another club? Sydney FC was formed in the new era of football to represent the global identity of Sydney itself not to be carved up into battle axe blocks of land so the federation could profit through their small minded greed and thirst for profits.The FFA plays board games with Sydney at its own risk, maybe the possibility of a CEO change may facilitate the future of the league and not the demise of Wellongton and Sydney FC!!!
Mister Football
Roar Guru
And the year before, Inter-Monaro was pulling about 500 to a game (except when they had a derby with Olympic, and the numbers would swell to at least 1,000). A few years later, Morwell Falcons stumbled into the national league, and I suspect their pulling power was around the 1,000 mark.
Slim
Guest
Fish where the fish are, what is there to argue about? Sydney fc are a good club based in the city. They have No business in the South of Sydney. Fullstop!! Need a new team in a hurry infact.
pat malone
Guest
my favourite roar comment of all time. from what fuss says we shouldnt criticize players if you havent played A league or coaches unless we have coached
pat malone
Guest
but you are not a true believer and part of the fuss take no prisoners crew. you have to live and breathe football to comment her (and despise all others)
Realfootball
Guest
Fussball with yet another impression of a solipsistic pillock.
jbinnie
Guest
"Fish where the fish are" A statement of tremendous depth and meaning ,but of some substance? now that could be another story. Almost 30 years ago the ruling body of football in the ASF saw a great need to get some expansion started and what was in effect a poor copy of an American idea,two conferences,one North and one South were formed.. Just to add to this debate I have pulled up teams and figures from season 1986 when the Northern Conference contained 8 teams from Sydney,"where the fish are"' The teams were Syd.Utd,Apia,Syd Olympic, Sydney City,Marconi,Blacktown,Canterbury and St George To get a feeling as to how these teams were supported I picked at random 4 matches played on weeks 1,9,16 and 21. On week 1 Syd Utd drew 5,248,Apia drew 1,276,Syd Oly drew 5,841 and Syd City drew 1,508 On week 9 Syd City drew 1,027, Marconi drew 3,046,Blacktown drew 846, and Canterbury drew 1,271 On week 16 Syd Utd drew 10,679,Apia drew 1,847, Canterbury drew 300 and St George drew 1,027 On week 21 Marconi drew 2,973, Blacktown drew 1,102,Canterbury drew 3,274 and St George drew 1,550 Readers will note an extraordinary crowd pulled to a Syd Utd game (10,679) This of course was a "derby " of the time, in essence a game between the Croatian backed Utd, and the Greek backed Olympic. That gate apart it can be seen there are very few gates that compare well with the average of Phoenix which last year was 8,583. Just in case anyone wants to discuss populaton Sydney had a population of 3.8 millions in 1986. Hope this adds to the debate. Cheers jb
Bondy
Guest
Mo Its just another day at the office , we've been doing this for years . Lol ....
Realfootball
Guest
Agree 100%. Sydney FC will fight this tooth and nail, and I believe they will win. The team will be in the Gong.
Realfootball
Guest
By making a mess of it, I specifically meant the way he has handled this in the public arena. I don't disagree with this position. He has made it far too easy for all and sundry to champion the Phoenix cause. I'm not quite sure why he has adopted the wrecking ball approach.I'm sure there is a reason - but I don't think it was a wise choice of strategy.
Realfootball
Guest
YES! Absolutely, a ban on all suggestions of Tasmania. Ludicrous idea. An absolute impossibility. The place is our very own failed state (pun definitely intended). Nothing to add to your summation, Fad. Spot on in every respect. And I am a Tasmanian expat too, I should add, with family still there. I would say that it's a pretty place to grow old and die as my one positive comment, but it's too damned cold for that. I'll wait for the end in the subtropics where I am now, thanks.
Realfootball
Guest
Don't write off a Gong team, MF. Bruce Gordon is talking to Frank Lowy and for a man of 85, establishing an A League team in his beloved Illawarra would be one heck of a legacy. Also, don't disregard Barlow and Traktovenko's influence. They will push for a Wollongong team.
Paul Nicholls
Roar Guru
Is it good news? For some reason the term "Fan Engagement" turns me off. Can't we just watch a game of football anymore? I always say my best football experiences was standing on the sidelines watching my daughter play at the local park while chomping on a barbecued snag in a piece of soggy bread
Paul Nicholls
Roar Guru
I just caught up with this little Mr Football/Fuss/Bondy/AR exchange. I know it's serious but it's fantastically entertaining - made me laugh out loud. Keep it up lads!
Woodo
Guest
But not Rugby League.