Poor FFA! Damned if they do and damned if they don’t!
A few days ago it was reported that FFA were looking at initiatives to enhance fan experience at A-League games. The response they received from football fans and football media alike ended up delivering a massive world of pain.
Music at throw-ins and corner kicks! Controlled flares! Words like making A-League games more like cricket’s Big Bash League! If you want to upset football fans, start talking about our game and reference it to cricket and other sports. Wow, that will turn off the attention span immediately.
Personally, while I am an unabashed football traditionalist, the FFA should not have been slammed as viciously as they have over the last few days. They put out a few ideas and they have seen the fans’ reaction immediately.
What it did achieve, and for this the FFA should be applauded, is that it has sparked debate about the game and the A-League in particular.
Those of us fortunate to have travelled to watch football overseas will have experienced a different type of matchday experience than what we get in Australian football and definitely in other Australian sports.
I have been to games at Ibrox, Celtic Park, Juventus Stadium, White Hart Lane, The Emirates, Stamford Bridge and many more. The fans at these stadiums do not get drowned out by the PA system. They have a very simple pre-match routine where the music played from when you walk into stadiums is easy listening, lots of classics, but in many cases all the music is dialled down 10 to 15 minutes before teams run out to kick off.
What then happens, it’s the fans themselves that take over and provide spine-tingling sing-alongs and chants. They even arrange choreographed tifo involving most of the fans inside their stadiums.
In some countries, matchday experience can be out of this world. Flares are simply not tolerated at A-League stadiums. In Australia they are deemed taboo and personally, having seen how some idiots handle them, it is easy to understand why they generate so much concern. Yet in some countries, flares are very much a part of the matchday ritual (see the following photo of match in a Greek fixture).
(Photo by Vladimir Rys/Getty Images)
On the other hand, I have also been to Major League Soccer in the USA. Matchday there is probably closer to what FFA may have been thinking with their suggestions. They have entertainers walking around the pitch during the game. They had cannons blasting whenever goals were scored and amazing laser light shows. Fans loved it!
I found myself watching the sideshows more than the game itself, so for someone like me, it was probably a distraction. One particular game I attended was LA Galaxy at Colorado Rapids with David Beckham playing. So even with a huge drawcard like Beckham, the MLS still felt the need to provide added entertainment.
Still on MLS, it seems as the league there has matured, they are doing less of the razzamatazz that we expect from American sport and have moved to more traditional football tifos. Clubs like Atlanta United, Los Angeles FC and many more have moved to more of a European/South American matchday experience without all the add-ons.
I saw a great tweet (essentially saying the FFA wouldn’t be in this position if everyone who’s complained about the music idea actually attended the A-League) by a friend of mine who is in the business of managing stadiums. Given most stadiums in Australia are multi-purpose, he gets to see first hand a variety of our big sports; rugby union, rugby league, cricket, AFL and, of course, our football.
I feel football needs to be left alone to develop its own culture and matchday experience without necessarily trying gimmicks. Since the A-League kicked off in 2005, fans have suffered at the hands of overzealous stadium security.
Many clubs were blessed to have received great public support from their active fans but almost immediately, these supporter groups were muzzled. Remember the Marinators at Central Coast and the North Terrace at Melbourne Victory? These fans groups had grown out of nothing into loud and tremendous supporters for their respective clubs. They added so much to the atmosphere that they became as big an attraction for watching the A-League as were the teams.
(Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Everyone involved in the A-League at club level and head office must find ways to get the fans closer to the players. Kids and families should be a significant target market. Stadiums need to be more receptive to areas where families can sit without being too close to the active fans who can get a touch intimidating for those who are new to the game. Clubs need to make their coaches and players more accessible and cooperative with the media.
For the record, I am involved with the Western Melbourne Group bid for a license to join the expanded A-League. What my partners and I have identified as a key platform for our new club is to build our own small stadium that is exclusively used for football. Build it in a way that football fans will appreciate; close to the action, close to the pitch and players. Build and colour the stadium in our club colours so fans feel a true sense of ownership.
Also, try and alleviate the cost of attending A-League games by having really affordable match day tickets and season tickets. Our food at the new stadium will be primarily supplied by pop up vans who will specialise in authentic food from our diverse cultures and communities. And make it affordable!
In summary, the point is we all want the game to grow. But the fans attending A-League games are as fundamental to success as are the players running around on the pitch.
This article was originally published on LinkedIn as A-League = Big Bash League?
Ken
Guest
There is a lot wrong with FFA so no matter what they try the fans are sick of what they have done to our game .our game has gone backwards under FFA so no matter what they do now it's too little too late .now they have asked sports Australia to interefere in our sport .yet sports Australia has turned a blind eye before with FFA . Why didn’t Sport Australia ever ask why a consultant to FFA, and a close personal friend of the then Chief Legal Counsel, allegedly receive a reported $1 million+ consultancy fee for the sale of the license of Newcastle Jets to Nathan Tinkler? Why didn’t Sport Australia raise an objection when the Chairman of the Nominations Committee in 2015, Brian Schwartz, was not only Deputy Chairman of FFA but also of Westfield, then owned by the Lowy’s? This is in direct contravention of Sport Australia’s own governance principles (number 3.6) that “The chair of the nomination committee should be independent from the chair of the board.” the fans want the sport run professionally that means FFA have to go .
rob charlton
Roar Rookie
Good article Lou. I do not blame Greg O'Rourke for trying to be a little inventive to get bums on seats at matches. I think music at corners etc is a lousy idea and should be canned. I am not sure what 'controlled flares' are. Wait and see, perhaps. What does concern me is that there are many better ways to get people to matches that do NOT seem to be getting much promotion. These include: * letting kids under 12 in free if they are accompanied by a paying adult with a ratio of, say, 2 kids max to 1 adult * heavily discounted ticket prices for 13-18 year olds * ticket discounts for group sales through local football clubs to their members. Perhaps a commission structure could be added to let the local football clubs earn some money * re-negotiating stadium lease to allow 3rd parties to supply food and drink (from pop-up vans say) at reasonable prices. These might include the sale of 'picnic baskets' inside the security screen which would be allowed into stadia * turning DOWN the volume on big screen ads, especially at Allianz in Sydney. It is SO annoying. * letting kids on the park after the match for a kick-around (OK - unashamedly nicked from AFL but, hey, they have never been backward at nicking good ideas from football) * working with active supporter groups to ensure they have RESPONSIBLE leadership. Perhaps there needs to be a jointly-developed code of conduct for active supporter group leadership groups. The development of grounds built for football is also essential. I think the new Parramatta Stadium will very quickly demonstrate this. I cannot agree with your left field suggestion about expansion. There will probably come a time for 4 Melbourne and 4 Sydney teams, but it's too soon. 3 teams in each of our 2 largest cities is all that is feasible now. Development of local derbies in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth and admission of a team from Canberra should all be put before 4th teams in Syd and Mel.
Fadida
Guest
Ha ha!
Savic
Guest
The truth is, much of the music played at bbl is aimed at the mums. Lots of eighties and nineties stuff that they listened to back on the day. Keep mum happy and dancing in the aisles and the family comes back the next week (only with more buckets on the families heads).
Fadida
Guest
I wasn't expecting that Mike! :)
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
I will be honest in saying that I have not had an opportunity to fully read the music article but if O'Rourke and his team are engaging support groups then full marks to them. It contributes to my theory that there are some smart operators within the FFA but they are subject to the Supreme Leader's directives which are not vaguely associated with a football mentality.
Jordan
Guest
"Porno and Snuff Films"!
Mike Tuckerman
Expert
I have a Lawrence Arms tattoo. True story.
Nick Symonds
Guest
"I can see the value in it [music] when there are proper stoppages in play such as substitutions" Maybe they could start slow and then speed it up to get the players coming off to move quicker. It works well for the North Koreans - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2qCD_tjjBQ
Fadida
Guest
If they play something heavier like the Smith Street Band or Lawrence Arms I'd let it go. Just. Unfortunately we know it's going to be some awful American dance/pop rubbish, aimed at 12yo's.
AusSokkah
Guest
The response has been over the top, a lot of people have jumped on the music suggestion but failed to acknowledge that it is one of a number of things that FFA is doing to try and bring fans back to the game. O'Rourke has stated that “We need to make sure we’re not closed off to that (other marketing ideas). But equally we need to make sure the things in our game that we hold unique will be maintained. We’ll be treading carefully towards this to get the best of both worlds.” The FFA are engaging the active supporter groups, introducing safe flares, pre-game & half-time entertainment I don't have any issues with that. I'm not that fussed about music, Perth Glory games already feature music after a goal is scored and I can see the value in it when there are proper stoppages in play such as substitutions, injuries or goals. But not for in-game pauses for free kicks and corners, the play is still going and the supporters bring their own atmosphere for those parts of the game.
Mick Jeffrey
Roar Rookie
All they've proven with this decision is that the FFA (or whoever runs the A-League) are no better than every other sporting organisation in Australia. None of them understand that the on field product is the entertainment and if we wanted to listen to music we'd be at a pub listening to a live band or streaming rare live performances off YouTube.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Lou your experience in Football shows. The active support groups provide the true football experience. For a while they were even grabbing media attention and that's when the likes of Rebbeca Wilson and Alan Jones stepped in. They did their job well, so well that they even convinced the FFA that Active Supporters were "Terrorists". Bottom line is that the traditional Australian "backyard sports" as I call them knew straight away that the sleeping giant had awoken. They needed it squashed and fast. You are 100 percent correct in saying the FFA need to get the fans close to the game both literally and most importantly by engaging with the Fans. If their is a strong relationship between Active Support groups and the FFA this builds mutual respect and the result is a positive outcome for all. By not respecting the fans they turn away. The people see the EPL on tv and want the singing they want the true football experience. My question is why did FFA poll the people via a media release, why not communicate with owners and Active Support groups directly first and then maybe a presser later? Football is the people’s game work with them don't dictate to them.
Nick Symonds
Guest
"the FFA wouldn’t be in this position if everyone who’s complained about the music idea actually attended the A-League" That's pretty much it. - @Lou Sticca On the subject of A-League expansion, there's a very large gap in the number of registered players between NSW and Victoria. Just to throw it out there do you think that there could be a case to put the next two teams in Melbourne to try and boost numbers? It would help improve the national player pool if it did which would also make the Socceroos a stronger side. You have West Melbourne on the west side and South East Melbourne on the east side of Port Phillip Bay, with populations of a million each. You could market it as "The Battle of The Bay". It would certainly turn a lot of heads in Melbourne if you had not just one but two new rectangular stadiums being built. Just think of the effect that AAMI Park has had.
Sam
Guest
Were the RBB consulted by the FFA about these in-match experiences?
oldpsyco
Guest
The criticism is for even trying to place their stamp on the games future, they are part of it's past NOT its future! The current board at FFA are a lame duck leadership. They will be gone in a few weeks and they know it! They have no mandate to introduce anything. Its time to shut up and go quietly. They had their chance and screwed it up right royally. The new Leadership structure should be allowed to run the sport without tactical interference by Lowy, Gallop and company!
Wise Old Elf
Guest
Whoever's idea it was should be sacked pure and simple. In fact sacking is not enough. They should be forced to walk through Bourke St mall in their underwear whilst being pelted with rotten food.