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I must really be starting to age because I can clearly remember the opening of Parramatta Stadium.
At the time, it was perhaps the most modern and purpose built venue in rugby league. It was also much needed, after Parramatta fans had burnt down the existing grandstand at the previously named Cumberland Oval whilst celebrating their 1981 premiership success.
The stadium was constructed in 1985 and became an enjoyable place to watch sport. I have been lucky enough to experience the venue from all angles; high in the stands and feeling wet and soggy on the hill in the middle of winter.
As is the wont of administrators and architects, 2002 saw the stadium lose the green space behind the goal posts and become an all seated venue. It was, however, ageing quickly and in much need of invigoration.
When the Western Sydney Wanderers arrived on the scene in 2012, the new franchise was to fill around two thirds of the 21,000 available seats throughout their inaugural season. It was an undoubted shot in the arm for the stadium and its management, yet further exposed some of the outdated facilities in need of refurbishment.
The Wanderers did the unthinkable in Australian football, not only in winning the 2014 Asian Champions League but also by throwing up the ‘sell out’ sign for the home leg of the final.
The Wanderers meet their crowd (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)
Soon after, a rethink began around the long-term vision for the venue and its role in the two main codes played in the region. Much to-ing and fro-ing occurred with debate raging in New South Wales over a triad of Stadiums under the microscope.
Thankfully, the new Western Sydney Stadium was a no brainer and September 2015 saw the announcement by the State Government that a state-of-the-art, purpose-built stadium would be constructed.
Debate around the capacity required was rigorous, with some feeling that the figure eventually settled upon might not be enough to hold those keen to climb aboard a future powerhouse of the A-League.
It will certainly be some time before the Wanderers are jamming 30,000 people into their new home ground consistently, however, they will be the only regular tenant capable of achieving it.
The Parramatta Eels have had the Stadium bursting at the seams in the past, yet rarely filled the venue, even for semi-final matches when the club was travelling well.
The design and construction of the Wanderers’ new home is a landmark moment in Australian football. The steep grandstands, dimensions and facilities all indicate that the long-term future of the venue lies with football at its core.
The Eels will enjoy their new home as well. The failure to accommodate for the 22 metre in goal areas required for rugby union play reveals quite clearly the thinking behind the design.
Adopting the first thorough incarnation of safe standing policies in Australia and catering for the Red and Black Bloc with 1,000 seats allocated to active support is also ground breaking.
Western Sydney Wanderers fans. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins)
Since the epic A-League semi-final between the Wanderers and Brisbane Roar in April 2016, the Wanderers have looked somewhat lost. Their temporary home at Spotless Stadium in the Olympic precinct never really became home and the results at the venue had fans longing for a return to Parramatta.
It was somewhat untimely and unfortunate that Western Sydney was forced to search for new digs so early in its existence but something tells me that hindsight will see the hiatus as nothing more than a blip in the history books.
As the crow flies I am 4.8km from the, soon to be, best football stadium in the country and after seeing some images of the construction progress last week, I went down for a look.
If the images in social media were stunning, seeing it in person was spellbinding. As something of a stadium buff, my enthusiasm for the structure might mystify some yet I can assure you, the Wanderers fans will embrace it from day one.
It is big, bold and intimidating, just like the Wanderers can be when in form and supported by their passionate fans.
There is no doubt that the squatting Wanderers’ drop in attendance figures in 2017-18 was a direct result of their homelessness. Along with the Brisbane Roar experiencing a troublesome start to the season, many jumped on board the ‘no one is watching the A-League’ train.
More measured minds could see the potential upside. Once the Wanderers take the keys to their new colossus and if John Aloisi can continue the Roar’s resurgence of early 2018, the numbers might start trending up towards previous levels.
With Marco Kurz building something ominous in Adelaide and Newcastle football re-invigorated by Ernie Merrick’s men, there is potential upswing for this season and the short term future.
Throw in some exciting new signings and a season that looks a potentially tight race without a clear favourite and there are ample reasons for fans to attend.
There is at least one enormous reason to attend the opening home fixture of the Wanderers at Western Sydney Stadium in October 2019 and that will be the stadium itself.
It looks an absolute ripper and the Wanderers’ fans are going to love it.