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I’ve heard a lot of pontificating from various people of high regard about how we need a second division of the national league, and how we need it now.
They cite the FFA Cup as evidence. People talk about souvlaki and cevapi like they’ve only just been invented and we talk about our ethnic clubs like we didn’t shun them when the A-League took the place of the National Soccer League.
Get them all in, they say. Sydney Olympic, Marconi, Melbourne Knights, it’ll be just like the old days.
But it just can’t happen, which is why FFA is stonewalling on the issue of promotion and relegation and instead talking about expansion – they don’t want to break hearts.
Let me preface this by saying I’ve got a foot in both camps. I have been involved in the NSW state league since before it was the new-fangled “National Premier Leagues NSW” and I’ve seen first-hand how some of these clubs are run.
Some of my best friendships have come through my state league involvement and I hold APIA Leichhardt in particular close to my heart. They are, like all their NSW counterparts, a wholehearted and spirited club. I know the people involved there and at the other NPL NSW clubs are desperate to be involved in any second tier national competition.
But the vast majority of these clubs are run on a shoe-string, and they are held together by a small number of diehards, often volunteers.
Here’s a club tracksuit, thanks for your hard work, enjoy the off-season.
The players have day jobs. A lot of them are skilful and talented enough to be playing professionally for the existing A-League teams, indeed many hold out the hope of playing as professionals for their current clubs.
But where’s the money going to come from? Who is going to pay these guys a full-time wage so they don’t have to go back to teaching, labouring, or whatever else they do to put food on the table?
TV will fix it all, they say, just look at the FFA Cup.
Will it?
I covered the Sydney United 58 v Sydney FC match in the FFA Cup last season at Edensor Park. The old place was pumping. It was just like the old days, etc etc.
Australian-Croatian 20-somethings who’ve never been to King Tom in their life turned out in droves. It’s a boutique thing, y’know?
“I just hope some of them come back for the game this weekend,” a United veteran told me that night.
I was there the next weekend, when United played a run-of-the-mill NPL match at home. Away from the bright lights and television cameras. Nobody showed up.
Kingston Heath was heaving on Tuesday night for Bentleigh Greens against Melbourne Victory. Great souvlaki, apparently. But who of those fans were there when Bentleigh hosted Bulleen Lions, or Pascoe Vale?
There is absolutely no doubt about the clubs’ commitment to the idea. But externally? Is the interest really there?
If we showed an “A-League 2” match tomorrow between Melbourne Knights and Blacktown City, would anyone watch?
The FFA Cup is fantastic – but it’s not evidence these clubs can look after themselves in a second tier national competition.
There’s enough trouble in paradise as it is – the last thing we need to do now is to throw another 10 underfunded, understaffed clubs into the mix.
They’re not stupid over at FFA, despite what some may have you believe. That’s why they’re keeping counsel on any idea of a national second tier until we’re really ready.
For the record, I’m all for it, and I’d love it for my mates at APIA, United, Blacktown City and Rockdale.
But we’re just not ready.
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