For nearly eight years David Gallop reigned as the chief executive officer of Football Federation Australia.
We thank him for his service. The Canberra-born lawyer accepted the position in 2012 after having spent the previous 15 years in and around the game of rugby league. During that time and amid multiple disasters and controversies Gallop built a reputation for conservatism and inaction that concerned many.
Throughout his reign, the NRL struggled under the weight of salary cap scandals, questionable rule changes and growing concerns around player behaviour and the image of the game.
In the end the Canberra Raiders fan was shown the door by the newly independent Australian Rugby League Commission in June 2012. By then the majority of rugby league fans, officials and players were keen to see him go.
The FFA accepted his signature soon after. What followed would be described by many football fans in Australia as a failure.
In essence fans of football in Australia saw little change, growth or strategic planning during his time in the top job. While two successful FIFA World Cup qualifications brought in the much-required cash bonuses and kept Gallop’s head above water, the A-League flailed away helplessly and the divisions in the game remained stark.
(Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
The chasm between the community-based clubs of the former NSL and the pop-up A-League never narrowed. Gallop and his team were not able to forge connections between the two and start the process of bringing the domestic game together as a collective.
It is the fundamental and core issue that exists in the Australian football landscape. Around 1.8 million people are playing the game across the country. NPL competitions still draw long-term and passionate fans to matches right across the nation, yet the A-League remains scorned by many and low down the list of things to do on a summer weekend.
With millions of Australians discussing the English Premier League feats of Mohamed Salah and the La Liga wizardry of Lionel Messi around water coolers each Monday morning, the passion for and interest in the game is there.
Gallop’s task was to tap into that interest and direct it towards the Australian game.
The most successful initiative during his reign was the birth of the FFA Cup. Credit where credit is due, it has worked and will continue to do so.
However, as the final stationery items and desk trinkets are shipped out of his FFA office to his private residence in Sydney, the reality is that Australian football fans dislike the work done by David Gallop.
They do, however, feel rather differently towards James Johnson. With immediate street cred thanks to his days as a Brisbane striker and a decade of football administrative and governance experience, the new CEO of Australian football arrives on a wave of positivity and enthusiasm.
Simply, the popular view appears to be that Johnson’s knowledge of the game and the country will serve him well.
With work experience inside Professional Footballers Australia, Asian Football Confederation and FIFA, his qualifications and credentials are impossible to question and potentially groundbreaking when it comes to reshaping the domestic game.
His recent time in England with the City Football Group may well be his greatest attribute. Working with one of the biggest voices in world football will have taught him much about success and the methods by which to achieve it.
Despite a honeymoon period no doubt looming for Johnson, it will not be too long before action will become more important than potential and experience.
What should be the first steps he takes as the new boss?
Matters of practicality seem the most obvious places to start. The completion of the process of A-League independence is required, with the clubs given the autonomy to birth and implement their fresh and new vision for the competition as quickly as possible.
Equally as pressing, the cost of football at a junior level requires immediate examination. There is nothing Australian parents, players and clubs would appreciate more than a transparent and thorough investigation into the costings and revenue streams involved in the grassroots game.
Using that data to improve affordability would earn the new CEO an immediate tick within the broader football community.
Addressing the disturbing and overzealous policing of football fans as they attempt to actively support their team should also be near the top of Johnson’s list.
Lines of communication between FFA, stadium authorities and their security contractors need opening and a mutually pleasing solution to the issue found.
More medium-term objectives, such as the oft delayed and still ill-defined national second division and the myriad issues that exist around stadium development, size and location, will also be part of the new CEO’s early discussions and investigations.
No-one would dare suggest the challenges ahead for Johnson are easy ones to overcome. Yet the skill set and experience he brings to the job must surely give him a fighting chance at bringing about real and tangible change.
Goodness knows we need some.
oldpsyco
Guest
IF ! If Gallop is remembered for anything it will be his arrogance! His complete disregard for the supporters of the game he was appointed to lead. And his lack of understanding of the underlying qualities and strengths of that game. Mr Johnson does NOT have very big shoes to fill! The future is therefore very bright indeed!
anon
Roar Pro
Gallop has failed everywhere he has gone. NRL went backwards on his watch by quite a margin. Was very surprised when soccer hired him. Soccer is now on life support in this country. Who will call it a day first? The A-League or Holden?
Punter
Roar Rookie
I'm sure there will be a huge difference between James Johnson to Gallop, his main role as highlighted by many on here is to unite the tribes, this in itself is a massive role. However, unlike his 2 previous predecessors, who's administrative skills were limited to the sporting scene in Australia. James comes in with very strong football knowledge & administrative of working on the international scene. He fully realises how big the world of football is & how small say AFL is on the world scence, where it's a big fish is a very small pond. So he does not have claim A-League is bigger then AFL, he already knows outside of 3 states, Football is far bigger then AFL.
Nick Symonds
Guest
As long as James Johnson doesn't claim that the A-League will soon be bigger than the AFL then I think he'll be better than Gallop.
Midfielder
Roar Guru
Will, nice post but you left off Heather Reid
con
Guest
Well Franko basically this man is the walking zombie, he achieved nothing all that you mention would have taken place from evolution ,fox deal will always be there as football is a betting game and fox sport is run from gambling money , w league is an evolution and growing , he had nothing to do with winning the Asian cup that belongs to the socceroos and Ange, expansion well stay tuned and we will see, so far a very bad result in the making, western united located in a very poor area and a logistical nightmare, crowds below expansion and no answers the FFA are not stupid they must have known, but they were nearly bankrupt so they took the money from the highest bidder ,so they can pay gallop 1 million per year to be a ZOMBIE
Punter
Roar Rookie
Will you last paragraph hits the mark, but especially the last sentence. There is so many in football with different agendas. Hopefully James Johnson & the FFA board can do this going forward, but...... I've been waiting a long time.
Will
Guest
Nikou, Bresc, Amy Duggan, Neggarotto, Carozzi Board James Johnson CEO Rob Sherman TD Craig Moore(unconfirmed) high performance manager What do they have in common? They are all football people that understand and love the game. Let's hope this 'new' ffa board make amends from the old boards mistakes and actually listen to the community and stakeholders involved. Hopefully they can come together with all stakeholders and community and create an ultimate vision for the game where everyone can put their energy and resources into, if the game is ever united with an common goal then the game will prosper to its full potential. (But this has been the hardest part)
Nemesis
Guest
I specifically posted: "with broadcast revenue in 2019 (A-League, W-League, FFA Cup & some national team practice matches) generating $62.5M." But you were referring to 2018 figures? I laughed & I laughed. You like to diminish everything about football & you barge into football discussions without any facts.
AR
Guest
I’m happy to stand corrected on that - I was referring to the 2018 figures. The ‘expansion bonus’ clause is not explained but I accept that’s what the document says.
chris
Guest
Mango the last time I looked (not that long ago) insurance was around $70 pa or thereabouts. When you take into consideration, ground hire on weekend, referees and ar fees, lights for training etc., gear etc there isnt a lot of change left from 300. There are just too many juniors to be subsidised like other organisations may do.
chris
Guest
Haha Red very true!
Scott
Guest
I'm pretty sure Gallop didn't win the Asian Cup... I think you'd be best to credit Ange and the squad of 20 or so footballer's that made up the 'team'. In regards to expansion, if anything Gallop and his mate Lowy hindered that process with their risk adverse approach to everything.
chris
Guest
Nem why do you bother with such a detailed explanation to that nin kom poop? Quibbling about a few mill here or there. Who cares! Do you think the nin kom poop would be telling us anything if your figure wrong and it was actually 65million?
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Concur sign me up Fad
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Kanga, mate we all want he game to grow and prosper. guess we're just a little impatient because we've waited so long. All good things come to those who wait. Old mate stepping into the job seems to be as good as you're going to get if you go by his resume.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Sorry to repeat myself, but if you get on the net and look at replays of the old days in English football, have look at the grounds when Paul Mariner was at Ipswich Town and Trevor Brooking was at West Ham, even when Frank Stapleton and Arnold Muhren were at United. Old Trafford was nothing like it is now. We have been serious about football for 14 years and look what we have achieved. It's a bloody miracle, I didn't think I would see it in my lifetime. I am in football heaven with the quality of the A-League, and the way the Socceroos are travelling. Think where we will be in another 10 or 20 years.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
I don't think that GCU was Gallop's fault it was that slug Palmer. He had the cerebral horsepower of a gnat hence football confused him, he got bored frustrated and peeved that it wasn't making him enough money to build his replica Titanic so he pulled the plug. Kind of ironic really, an association between Palmer and the Titanic
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Here Here!, Well said that man. I know I harp on about it but the generational transition can come fast enough. The culture of Baby Boomers and Gen C's where football I'd considered a foreign game that does belong, that it's not a "man's game" will die and football will prosper. For most of us I hope we will be in sporting nirvana. Johnny Warren will looking down and saying O told you so, with Les Murray right beside him.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Rather insightful Franko