How can we grow the A-League? Look inside, then look outside

Towser new author

Roar Rookie

15th February, 2016

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Fornaroli has been a consistent threat for Melbourne City. (AAP Image/Joe Castro)

Towser new author

Roar Rookie

15th February, 2016

Putting aside the learning curve distractions and the “Noddys” in the media (football journos or otherwise) who rattle the bell on their hats at the first sign of trouble in football, I have been pleased with the way this season has panned out.

No may have been no marquees, but there have been some solid football displays by most teams.

The fact that attendances this season are coming back in the latter half of the A-League season shows a solid core of support is being established.

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» FFA ratify new banning procedure
» Victory CEO says anti-social fans “are not welcome and we do not want them”
» Victory issued show-cause notice for flare up
» Flares are not a football problem, they’re a police problem

However I’m not happy, because I know, the game is still only showing the tip of the iceberg.

What’s needed to show the same progress the MLS has at 20 years?

The biggest mistake would be to try to emulate a country with 15 times the population of Australia, with one state, California, with a bigger population than our entire country. Of course they also have many big cities to establish a football team in. Yhe money generated in USA sports, in fact money in general there, can boggle the mind.

There is no doubt however we need more moolah in the game from whatever source, otherwise the growth I believe in will be stymied. But provided that is forthcoming the mantra is astute recruiting.

We have examples in our own A-League history of what needs to be done, by looking at players like Fornaroli, Broich, Carrusca and Berisha. These are guys who entertain and add to team play in spades – more please. With more money comes even better players.

Also in English football, I note a few things from this article in The Age about Leicester City. What we need is all A-League clubs on the same page as clubs like them and Bournemouth

First, they have richer owners than historically bigger football clubs in England (look North to Asia, in particular China). Secondly their recruiting is excellent, with managers who can pick quality players to fit in.

Australian football obviously can’t generate EPL-esque money, but we can take note of spreading TV money evenly across the A-League.

So the bottom line is that rich owners with money plus football nous, clever recruiting and an evening up of money available to all A-League clubs to recruit better players across the board = a better growth for the A-League.

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