Some people might think Wollongong and Canberra are stronger expansion candidates than Tasmania, but the gap is now closing.
In the last week or so there have been three developments that have improved the case for the Tasmanian A-League bid.
First was the news that Western United would be taking two matches to Tasmania, with one in Hobart and one in Launceston. Then there was the release of a book that pushed back the date of the earliest match played in Australia all the way back to a game in Tasmania in 1859.
Finally, there was South Hobart’s FFA Cup match against Marconi, which drew an impressive crowd at Bellerive and showed strong local interest in the sport.
Starting with the history of the sport, Tasmania’s isn’t as well known as it is in other parts. When most people think of football’s history in Australia, they’ll think of places like Parramatta, where the first game in New South Wales was played in 1880, or they’ll think of Melbourne, where the first matches were played in 1883, including one at Lake Oval, where Lakeside Stadium now stands. They might also think of the Illawarra, where the Balgownie Rangers have a continuous history going back to 1883, making them the oldest running football club in Australia.
But the new book Chronicles of Soccer in Australia – The Foundation Years 1859 to 1949 by Peter Kunz makes the claim that the first recorded match played in Australia was in the Tasmanian town of Richmond in 1859, showing that Tasmania has its own history too. The first match in Tasmania known to have been played under association rules, however, was played in Hobart in 1879.
Moving back to the present, the recent FFA Cup Round of 32 match between South Hobart and Marconi at Bellerive drew an impressive crowd of 2617 fans. This also bolsters Tasmania’s case for an A-League licence as it adds to previous attendance results in the state.
(Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images)
The crowd at Bellerive beat the previous record for an FFA Cup Round of 32 match in the state set by Devonport against Lambton Jaffas in 2016, which drew a crowd of 2418 fans in pouring rain, midweek and at night. Devonport then broke that record in their very next match against Bentleigh Greens at the same ground when 3168 fans showed up again under similar conditions in the Round of 16.
As it turns out, the figure of 2617 set by South Hobart at Bellerive makes it the second-highest turnout for a Round of 32 FFA Cup match not involving an A-League side and one of only four such matches to get over 2000 people in attendance. South Hobart’s record is beaten only by South Melbourne’s 2622-strong attendance at Lakeside in 2017, just five fans more. Devonport’s figure of 2418 in 2016, meanwhile, is still the third-highest for a Round of 32 FFA Cup match not involving an A-League side.
When it comes to A-League teams playing in the state, Tasmania also has some good attendance records to show for themselves. The outright record goes to Launceston, where a preseason match between Adelaide United and Melbourne Victory got 8061 through the gates at York Park in 2007, while the record attendance in Hobart was 7000 at North Hobart Oval in the 2014 preseason.
Both of these figures compare favourably to Canberra and Wollongong.
In the case of Canberra, the highest ever figure for an A-League match was 7226 for a regular-season match between Sydney FC and Newcastle Jets in 2006. The next highest figure was 5735 for a preseason match between Sydney FC and Central Coast Mariners in 2007, while the remaining four matches involving A-League sides held in Canberra ranged between 5072 and 5497 fans.
As for Wollongong, the best attendance involving an A-League side at WIN Stadium was 8029 in the FFA Cup Round of 32 in 2016 between Sydney FC and Wollongong Wolves, although it’s worth noting that this figure was boosted by away fans who only had to make the short drive down from Sydney.
It’ll be interesting to see what sort of crowd shows up in Tasmania for Western United. If they can get crowds that match those of Canberra, it’ll really help their case. Going by past figures you would have to say this is a distinct possibility.
The recently uncovered history of the sport in the state, South Hobart’s attendance at Bellerive and the deal with Western United all help to build the case for a Tasmanian A-League side. It’s also good to know that Harry Stamoulis and Robert Belteky are still interested and that plans for a rectangular stadium are still on the table, although ideally there would be two stadiums, with one in Launceston as well.
Canberra and Wollongong might be expansion favourites for most people, but these recent developments will bolster the case for the Tasmanian bid and have helped to close the gap.
Tasmania is well in the hunt.
Munro Mike
Roar Rookie
How realistic is the noise about a 2nd Adelaide club (backed by a mystery European investor) along with a new stadium allowing for local derbies and attempts to be a key part of 2023 womens WC?
Jonno
Guest
If the AFL refuse to put a team in Tasmania an A league team is doomed to fail if anything an AFL team should be more successful being Victoria is so close to Tasmania . It is an AFL state. But the AFL have ruled out a team in Tasmania saying it is not financially viable and a A league team in Tasmanian would not be financially viable either . that crowd of 2617 is a joke of a crowd for a basis to A league
rolland
Guest
wolves 2nd division no thanks they are A league material not second division .Wolves have their finances they had their finances in place last bid .Money isn't the issue .their crowds will be equal if not better than most current A league teams who average around 8 to 9 thousand. Derbys brings fans out no better team too provide more derbys than the wolves
rolland
Guest
Are you serious a crowd of less than 3000 and tassie is ready for A league. this story is utter rubbish .Wollongong wolves get close to three thousand for their NPL games the western grandstand at Win stadium is almost full for their home NPL games the western grandstand holds three thousand and thats NPL . tassie have no chance of ever hosting away team fans as they are too far away . wolves would have more derbys with five Sydney teams 1 to 3 hours hours drive to Wollongong .Derbys is what gives the game its best crowds and most interest and best atmosphere . there are no derby's in tassie . when Sydney fc played Newcastle at Win stadium in Wollongong 13,000 came to watch a few years ago . tassie are not even close to offering what Wollongong can . . Campbelltown and western Melbourne still have not proven their worth be interesting to see their crowd numbers once they start their campaigns
SportsFanGC
Roar Guru
So crowds of less than 3,000, a history book and cash-grab games by Western United are signs that Tasmania have a strong case for inclusion into the A-League? Surely there are other towns/cities with significantly stronger cases to enter the A-League before Tasmania if the above is the criteria?
Daniel Felmingham
Guest
The person that indicated that a recent AFL crowd in Hobart looked to be 2000 is incorrect,the last game there had 11000 and the game before that had 7900,although this was against GWS,which can't get a crowd anywhere.
Nick Symonds
Guest
Wollongong Wolves = 10,658 followers on facebook Canberra Bid = 8157 foundation members FC Tasmania Bid = Unavailable due to lack of website Football Tasmania = 8,955 followers on facebook
Killswitch
Guest
Further, Wollongong did actually exceed 10,000 on several occasions during the nsl which I think is relevant. Their home semi-final against South Melbourne in 2001 got 11,201 though I believe that wasn't their highest ever home crowd, in the 1980s (bit of a stretch...) I think they exceeded 12k at Brandon Park. Source: http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/20002001/Playoff.html
chris
Guest
The crowd at the recent AFL match in Hobart recently looked to be around 2k. I don't think that is too much to worry about for any prospective A-League Tassie side.
Killswitch
Guest
Nice article! Slight correction though, Sydney FC v Newcastle on 3rd Jan 2015 in Wollongong got 11,377 (most of us at the ground thought it looked 13k+). Tas looks a no-brainer to me too.
blood
Guest
well tough s**t mate nix are here to stay
blood
Guest
thats dumb while there are areas i would pick over nz 2, nz 2 is a better pick then sydney or melbourne 4
blood
Guest
the problem with brisbane 2 is where do they play besides sharing the very expensive suncorp
blood
Guest
i think there is a case for a tas a-league sides but 2 rectangular stadiums won't happen down there, canberra is most likely the fav for expansion, wollongong unless open to a new team other then wolves is a no go for a-league as i doubt wolves can afford a-league through wolves would be a perfect fit for 2nd div imo, other contenders imo are gold coast, sunshine coast, townsville and auckland any anyone saying no more nz teams can bugger off
The Ball Bobbled
Roar Rookie
Absolutely! N Z should not be in the A League
Beach
Roar Rookie
Nice idea, shame about the reality.
Nick Symonds
Guest
"But the new book Chronicles of Soccer in Australia – The Foundation Years 1859 to 1949 by Peter Kunz makes the claim that the first recorded match played in Australia was in the Tasmanian town of Richmond in 1859, showing that Tasmania has its own history too. The first match in Tasmania known to have been played under association rules, however, was played in Hobart in 1879." - From the article above
Nick Symonds
Guest
"This is just one example of the extraordinary detail of Kunz’s book which has involved 12 years of research through national archives and liaison and fact-checking with other sports historians." - https://thewomensgame.com/news/footballs-160th-birthday-528817
Waz
Roar Rookie
Unfortunately the gap started widening again today with news that the first game of the sokkha occurred in Queensland in 1858, a year earlier than the fictional Tasmanian game in 1859. Sad news for the A-League prospects of any Tasmanian team but hey, what ya gonna do – fake another game in 1857??
Maximus Insight
Guest
That's impressive...the first soccer match in Tasmania predates the formation of the FA in England by four years