When it comes to promotion and relegation in the A-League, it is of my belief that this season has affirmed to us that the question is no longer if we should create a second division but rather how it might work.
It is no secret that the A-League has become particularly dull for fans of teams that have no chance of making the top six. At the time of writing, there is an eight-point gap between Wellington and Newcastle with ten rounds still to play.
For clubs like Newcastle, Brisbane, Western Sydney and Central Coast, playing for pride does get exhausting and demoralising.
Out of curiosity when writing this article, I began brainstorming how a potential second division may work. There where multiple problems that I discovered when thinking about how a model might exist.
The most obvious problem that came to my mind was funding. The A-League is struggling for cash as it is right now, to ask the FFA to fund travel fees, hotel rooms and that kind of stuff would be excessive and restrict the funds in the league as it is already.
The influence of travel fees cannot be underestimated. The reason why lower divisions in countries such as England are so successful can of course be accumulated to other reasons (such as talent and interest), but for the most part, teams in this leagues very rarely pay for expensive charter flights and five star hotels.
It can be considered from an administrative perspective at least, that it is cheaper to create lower divisions in countries with smaller geography than places such as Australia.
On a further issue of investment, concerns where raised over how the A-League clubs would react over concern that their license fees for first division football may be placed in jeopardy. The A-League clubs are very powerful bodies within Australian football. If we lose investment in the top end of the game, then we can say goodbye to investment into the lower leagues.
What about competitiveness? If the league was started by brand new franchises, then this might not be an issue. But even though interest in A-League expansion slots have never been higher (supported by more than ten bids from parties for licenses over the past year), they were for first division places. Except for a few bids, how can we say for certain that the new clubs would be willing to form a second division?
David Williams of the Phoenix celebrates after scoring a goal . (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)
And even if they did form a second division, will the audience figures and ratings even be able to justify it? At the moment, creating a second division seems like a situation where there is a high amount of investment, but for very little financial gain. Yes, money should not be the reason why a second division is established. But it is also impossible to create without the right funds.
But today, I believe I can suggest a simplistic model that would solve these issues, at least for the short term. I am proposing that we look to the National Premier Leagues (NPL) in order to create a second division. At the completion of the NPL Finals series, the winner of the series should be allowed to enter a play off game against the bottom placed A-League club. The winner of this game will be promoted to the A-League, and the loser shall be relegated back to the NPL of their state.
I am proposing that it stays a play off game for at least a few seasons. The is because that despite NPL clubs greatly improving their operations over the past few years, as highlighted by strong performances against A-League clubs in the FFA Cup, there is still a gap in class between the two leagues. Having a play off game shows that NPL clubs must be able to prove that they can hold their weight in the league by winning this game.
In future, once we can ascertain that the quality in state leagues can rival that of the A-League and this can be measured by checking the performance of the recently promoted NPL club, then we can consider making the bottom placed club automatically relegated, while the second place enters the play off game. This removes dead rubber games, and gives A-League clubs hope to escape relegation.
Adelaide United players celebrate after winning the FFA Cup final. (AAP Image/David Mariuz)
I am not saying that we should not be looking to create a more “traditional” promotion and relegation style, with a national second division. But geographically wise Australia is quite unique. It would not make sense to have a national second division when already the national first division is lacking funds.
So why do I think that this model could work? Because it solves all of the problems that I identified earlier in this article.
In terms of travel, there is no need for expensive charter flights in the NPL as it all exists on a state level. The NPL already has a single elimination knock out tournament for winners of the state division, and the travel allowances that are used for the relegated A-League club would simply be transferred onto the promoted club because there would be no reason for the relegated A-League club to need them.
Theoretically, there would be no additional travel costs required for the creation of a second division.
When addressing concerns over crowd numbers, I look the FFA Cup to support this model. Whenever an NPL club plays against an A-League side, there is always a sold-out crowd. Yes, these crowds are not typically large, but then again so are the A-League club’s crowds.
Furthermore, NPL clubs in their boutique stadiums create such better atmospheres in these games, and this is ultimately what is attractive to broadcasters.
Within the NPL Finals and state leagues, I will acknowledge that the crowds are not typically large either, but they attract a different kind of crowd. There is more of a community focus in these games, but when you consider that there is suddenly a much larger prize up for grabs, it wouldn’t be a stretch to suggest that these crowds would improve.
I was in the Avondale area when Sydney FC where due to play Avondale FC in the FFA Cup last year. You could feel the community in the area getting excited over the chance of them to play against one of the biggest clubs in the country.
I could see billboards allover local shopping strips, arguably more advertisement for this game than that for Melbourne City or Victory. So, it is clear that in these smaller communities, there is a deep passion for the NPL Clubs.
However, for all the passion NPL games can bring, they can be similarly guilty of being dead rudder games as well. Most players dream of playing at the top, but the NPL currently does not give them this opportunity, save for a few FFA Cup games. Having this model attracts significant attention from the rest of the community as there is hope.
In terms of negative backlash from A-League club owners to having their first division license placed in jeopardy, the use of a playoff game significantly helps in this regard as a compromise.
It is used as a measure to check whether the owner is interested in bettering the team. If they are placed into that position in the first place, then questions should be asked over the entire club, and we are right to condemn.
Furthermore, all A-League owners agree that the A-League is in danger of stagnation. This is the way to remove this stagnation. By having challenges and battles throughout the entire league.
Some owners may also complain that if they where to be relegated to a second division, they will see their crowds decline. I doubt this claim strongly. A-League clubs already have small crowds, and the people watching the A-League at the moment are not casual observers, it is a passionate few. These people will still go to games.
Will fans of big sides still support their clubs if they’re relegated? (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
In terms of finance for these new clubs, I see a situation like clubs in Europe and their second divisions, where investors will purchase clubs and begin to transform them with hope to make the A-League.
There is already precedent for this model of buying clubs in lower divisions to make the top division. Bundesliga club RB Leipzig for example where initially a fifth division club in 2009 before being bought out by Red Bull. Whether or not you approve of the rapid rise by this method, this will ultimately be where the money comes from for the rest of the Australian football pyramid.
Demand already exists for A-League licenses, as we can see from the last expansion race. This option allows investors to buy NPL Clubs on the cheap and transform them into juggernauts.
Once we have a few clubs within the NPL that routinely make the finals series, have been promoted and relegated and have the support from wealthy investors, then we can begin to make the formations for a more traditional second division. This will ultimately make their investment more worthwhile in future, given that their club will stand out from others in the NPL and make them front runners for the traditional second division.
But until then, with the A-League struggling for mainstream attention, maybe it is time to embrace the smaller football communities throughout the country and get them far more involved in the game. We have already seen in the FFA Cup the passion and talent that exists in the NPL, why is it that we chose to continue to ignore their participation by giving them an opportunity when it is financially viable?
oldpsyco
Guest
The tak about promotion and relegation always comes down to claims we cannot afford it! Well the truth is we cannot afford to not have it! The original design for the A-League was ok to get it started, the first 10 years, but now its stale. The EPL has a constant turnover of clubs with a 15% refreshment rate every year and the lower grades have a 30% turnover. It give the fans something new each and every year as opposed to the A-League that just shuffles the same old players between the same old teams like deck chairs on a famous sinking ship! Yes there's a risk and yes there's a cost, but the current crop of clubs should never have been given the guarantees they were in the first place. It was doomed from the start as complacency set in both at Club level and within the FFA. Football is about Winning & Losing, and there needs to be reward for winning and consequences for losing! Without refreshing the league with promotion & relegation it has become stale and as such doomed, unless things change and quickly. If the product is good enough the fans will come, then the TV will follow, the money will flow and success will be enjoyed. But Risk has to be taken, you cannot win if you are scared of losing! Ask Mourinho!
Besta
Guest
There may be the capability for failed A-League expansion bids and some NPL clubs to establish a breakaway second tier right away - especially if they can set up their own governing body and develop a television deal. If so, then they should run with it. At a later date they can negotiate with the FFA to incorporate their break-away competition into the league as a second tier with promotion/relegation into the A-League. Aside for that - the entire thinking process is currently backward. The FFA should be looking at developing Regional Championships in replace of the NPL finals series, which would be akin to the English Vanarama North/South competitions. Perhaps four would be set up with one league in the North, one in the South, One for the West and South Australia, and perhaps the fourth being the existing top NZ competition. In this structure, the winning NPL clubs would be promoted to these Regional Championships IF THEY HAVE the MANDATORY financial status and infrastructure required. If not, they would remain in their home NPL league. Then, when these leagues are running smoothly, the four Regional Championship winners start playing off a finals series and the overall winner would replace the lowest second-tier club automatically which returns then is relegated to its own Regional Championship. Perhaps in time, all four could automatically be promoted to the second tier if they have the facilities and finances. In the meantime, first priority is getting the second tier running and keep the FFA accountable.
tony
Guest
spot on I think... no need to reinvent the wheel... npl is the second division atm... a playoff gives every npl team the reason to aspire and communities the chance to dream of an a league birth. Of course the money will flow to from the pockets of the rich who need playthings but the existing community clubs should benefit.
Fadida
Roar Rookie
You've jumped off the wrong deep end JB. If you were following the discussion you'd see I was using "rubbish" simply to show that "quality" is an opinion, not a fact. My dad loved Lev Yashin and Gordon Banks. I'm aware they weren't rubbish. Were they better quality than the modern players? The answer is an opinion not a fact.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Cheers jb, would love that beer
Waz
Roar Rookie
Well they reported nearly 50,000 members a while back. But if it’s only half that then I guess 25,000 members will have to do lol.
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
Instinctively I like the concept of promotion and relegation BUT … what happens if/when a team from a city with just 1 club (Adelaide, Perth, Wellington) is relegated and replaced by a cashed up side from Sydney or Melbourne? How will A-League interest be maintained in those cities? The P&R system may do more damage than good to growth of the game in Australia.
MarkfromCroydon
Roar Pro
The thing holding us back is the greedy, self interested, anti-football NPL clubs. They held football back in this country for decades and continue to do so. Many are mono-ethnic social clubs, where football is NOT their main priority. We need these clubs to either get out of the way, or get serious about football. They need to become fully professional and force the introduction of pro/rel by virtue of having a team that is recognised as being consistently of the same class as the top tier teams, not just capable of a one off cup user. Once they do that, pro/rel will be impossible to deny.
JBINNIE
Guest
Fadida - I could spend hours on this machine pulling your comment to pieces and analysing the parts. "Goalkeepers were rubbish". Do you mean Lev Yashin,Tiger Khomich,Bill Brown,Frank Swift,Ronnie Simpson,Gordon Banks, Grocsis and Gilmar, I saw all these guys playing and under no circumstances would I ever call them "rubbish" You go on to mention the opposition Real had in the 1960 final and again used "rubbish" as an adjective. In the semi finals Real had beaten Barcelona twice ,scoring 6 goals to Barca's 2. Eintracht ,at that time an all German 11, had beaten Rangers twice ,scoring 12 goals and conceding 4 in the process. You then digress into a debate on quality. What is quality?. Quality is surely in the eye of the beholder and having watched hundreds of football teams in my life I still think the 1953 Hungary, and the 1960 Real Madrid are two of the finest teams I have had the good fortune to see in real life. Now that is an opinion,and you are right in your summation,opinions change with the time ,the place, and how the game has developed.,but I also have the opinion that had those men in those teams been given the money and facilities that are in vogue today, their actual football would have improved accordingly. That's an opinion of course,one I can never prove. ps I also had the "pleasure of watching live Italian football in the early 1960's and there was an example of real "rubbish", but for a while they did rule world football with that trash, why? they had good footballers and "rubbish" coaches. Cheers jb.
jbinnie
Guest
Waz - Frank Lowy's observation was made in relation to NSL teams of the 1977-1997 era and was his nice way of saying that the top, (dare I say "ethnic"), clubs were not really structured to work in an environment that cost something in the region of $7 million just to get started. Frank himself had the embarrassing position of being chairman of the best football team in the NSL,Sydney City/Eastern Suburbs, who were withdrawn from the NSL in 1986 due to the "social ' club having to fork out $300,000 the previous season. As you well know "social " clubs usually change their committees every year and in this instance FL was no longer a decision maker and the social club was no longer willing to play ball. It was at this time FL walked away from a game he obviously loved to be involved in,and was not to reappear until asked by the government of the day in 2004. In the era I describe 1977 to 1983 Brisbane Lions were probably the wealthiest team in Australian football owning assets at Richlands and nearby Inala. Someday you and I may meet for a beer and I can fill you in on what happened. Suffice to say that Lions FC today are not the financial power they were in 1983. Cheers jb.
OK John!
Roar Rookie
I am really worried that the calls for a 2nd division may be detrimental to the game in this country. Whether people like to hear it or not, soccer/football in this country will always be in the shadows of the bigger codes. I can hear the bleating about youth level participation, but does that transfer to people playing the game at a senior level?? So the game will always tread a very tenuous path along the national sporting landscape. Therefore if the march to a second division is not handled correctly, it may just tip the scales in the wrong direction. However, your calls for using the NPL is logical, but I look forward to the day when one of the foundation clubs are relegated, and only then will it be a true test of the character of the club, and the people aligned to it.
Yobbo
Guest
This obsession with the Euro idea of promotion and relegation for Australia is weird. You do realise soccer is not that popular here? In Europe where it works there is no other sports that are professional. They have no competition. NRL has a far better chance of this promotion and relegation nonsense than soccer does. Please drop this ridiculous obsession.
Fadida
Roar Rookie
It is different. Quality is totally subjective when it comes to foofball. The EPL is the richest, most watched league in the world. Fact. Is it the highest quality? Some would say yes, others no. You can’t measure it. It’s opinion. Others would say Spain or Germany. What is “quality”? Which Real Madrid side had more quality? The one that one 5 consecutive European Cups? Or the Real of the last few years? They didn’t win as many European titles (yet) but more recent team surely has more “quality”? Better athletes, better keepers. They’d win by a mile. The Real team of di Stefano scored more goals, including a 7-3 thrashing of Eintracht in the final. Surely that is evidence of quality? I’d argue not, the opposition goalkeepers were total rubbish, the players smaller and less able to athletically close space. Scoring was easier. JB might disagree. It’s opinion. Statistically you can compared the two, but that measures success, not “quality”. How do you measure the quality of Japanese football before and after the advent of pro-rel. I don’t watch the J-league or J-league 2, and I doubt you do either. Can you use the performances of the Japanese national team? No, most of them move to European leagues at a young age. There is no measure, apart from a subjective opinion, and that isn’t “evidence”. Is the English league 2 a better quality now than the days before relegation, or when teams needed to be elected to the old division 4? Less lower league teams cause giant killings in the FA cup now than before. Does that mean the quality is lower? How you compare the “quality”? Ask the old boys who have watched the last 50 years of lower tier football. Their answer would be subjective, not quantifiable. There is no evidence that quality improves with pro – rel. None of which is to say I don’t want it. More teams equals more games and more opportunities for young players.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
this sort of movement, to national competition, gives clubs an incentive to move along, pull their finger out so to speak. My local club, Redlands United FC is among the oldest in Australia (1918) and hasn’t done much in all those years, a few titles but no real ambition except maybe to produce a few good players. What else was there for these clubs? but now, they’ve moved from their local Brisbane league to a State (Qld) NPL, won it and they beat the reigning A League champions in the FFA Cup. Now they want more – their vision is to gain a place in the B League in 5 years, and the A League in 10. They have a plan for a new stadium which they’ll share with the local touch football club, and we seem to have a local council with a ground looking for a resident. This is a whole new world for a club like Redlands and all their teams, and the Redlands community if it happens. There’s plenty of clubs like Redlands around Australia. We need this, a second division with the P/R potential it brings, to breathe some life into the game and community football. Even though I’ll always support Roar, I’d love a second local team.
Waz
Roar Rookie
“That’s why it won’t happen. In the short to medium term anyway“ Not arguing on timing. Sometime between 10-20 years away is probably the earliest imo. But had mariners been relegated two years ago and bounced back, the club would be worth more than it is today. Relegation is not always a bad thing. And with relegation I don’t think we would have had six years of declining crowds and tv viewing.
Fadida
Guest
Actually it is different. You can use stats to measure crowds, ratings, league positions etc but you can't measure quality. Quality is totally subjective.
Waz
Roar Rookie
jb. That is true. As Frank Lowy once proved, sometimes a club is not a “football club” but a “social club” with a team on the side. However, the principle is still there - football clubs (with the appropriate structure) can generate significant wealth and membership through commercial activities. And here’s the clincher on pro/rel for me ... there is no point in a club investing in the football side of the club (stadium, facilities, coaches, academy, marketing etc) because there is simply nowhere to go so it simply becomes a social club However ... Open up the pyramid and make it possible to move from bottom to top and I bet half a dozen football clubs will appear where the entire structure is driving the senior football teams. Then the thousands of members and the millions in revenue will drive football facilities and the team It may not be Lions (or Marconi who are of a similar size) but it will be someone.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
I'm not suggesting it would be a problem if they don't want to be a member. However, it would become an issue if they weren't allowed to compete in the World Cup. I'd say CAS would be very interested in such BS politics. Secondly, the European Super League being proposed goes against everything FIFA stands for and is exactly the idea I've floated for the way the A-League should do P/R.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Quality is definitely measurable. There’s a whole industry (ISO9001) built around the fact you can measure quality. Football is no different.
Waz
Roar Rookie
it’s a simple choice. Follow the FIFA statues and stay a member, or dont and leave FIFA. CAS won’t intervene on that - the USA is not being forced to be a member lol. America is very similar to us, their argument is they already have “promotion” through their expansion activities but that misses the point of “sporting merit”. They’ll get away with it for awhile, just like Australia, but they will implement it