Back in August 2019, Western United were one of eight bids with good credentials to be selected by the FFA in the initial expansion process to become either the 11th or 12th A-League club.
Four months later in December, the FFA announced their bid, along with Macarthur, had been selected and the club would begin play in the 2019-20 A-League season. Macarthur would commence play in the following season.
Like other bids, Western United’s backers had put forward a solid business case and shown they had the financial means to support a club. The fact they were to be the third club placed in Australia’s second-largest city was certainly a contributing factor, as well.
But United’s bid had a key differentiator. Their owners had the ambitious plans to make the club the first A-League side to play in their own stadium.
Many times over since the A-League’s first season in 2005/06, A-League clubs have been treated as second-class citizens by venues around the country. When a club is just a tenant, they have little control over the many facets of game-day operations.
The revenue they are able to earn from patrons is limited and it can be difficult to provide an authentic matchday experience under this arrangement.
With Western United, this was all supposed to change.
(Photo by Martin Keep/Getty Images)
It was never feasible for United’s new ground – to be built in Tarneit, just outside of Melbourne’s western city limits – to be ready for action this season or next. Exact construction timelines were never released but it was believed the ground could be ready by the beginning of the 21/22 season.
We’re now in February 2020 and no shovels have met dirt, so that timeline will need to be adjusted. Construction projects get delayed all the time.
But I’d be lying if I said I was not concerned about the state of this project. Speaking in the press, United Chairman Jason Sourasis was quoted as saying in December last year, “I’m confident we will be turning soil by mid-next year.”
There have been complications. I get it. But I can’t get my head around the vague timelines. It means no one at the club is accountable for what they’re saying.
What worries me the most is the damage United are doing to their own brand and how much they will continue to do until their new home is open for business. In their first season of existence, they have split home matches between Geelong’s GMHBA Stadium, Mars Stadium in Ballarat and Whitten Oval in Footscray.
Across all fixtures at the three grounds, an average of 5,856 punters have come through the turnstiles. They can claim the dubious honour of not having the lowest attendance in the league. If I wanted to twist the knife, I might mention there’s still time to sink further.
Three oval grounds. Overzealous security guards. Service stations in the background of TV shots. Let’s be real here: it’s been a disastrous first season off the park for Western United.
I can only hope the situation improves, or this tale could have a bitter ending.
Samuel Power
Roar Rookie
Because at the moment, Geelong is their main 'home', when it shouldn't be. I think it would be good if they only played 1 game down there per year until their new stadium is built. I don't mind the Ballarat games because even though they play on an AFL ground, the atmosphere is good and only has a capacity of 11k, which is suitable for Western United.
Micko
Roar Rookie
What do you mean regarding Geelong's ground not wanting them?
Micko
Roar Rookie
Why do you like Ballarat, but not Geelong for WU?
Micko
Roar Rookie
Is there no rectangle stadium in Geelong?
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
I thought both Whitten Oval and Mars were fine, it is just Geelong that is a concern. I'd imagine the former two are available for a fraction of the price of the latter and reach a fan base that is more aligned with Western United. What is more, Mars offers a real point of difference and I'd love to see it continued with an annual match after the Tarneit stadium is built.
Kanggas2
Roar Rookie
Johan grobelaar Western United were not a good choice . I agree And rugby union has great crowds on the north shore . Fantastic game . I didn’t realise you went to private school as you said previously you were a European immigrant who grew up watchingin Footscray watching south Melbourne in the Nsl .
con
do we have any competent administrators in our game in this country
David Shilovsky
Expert
Sounds like Knights' finances aren't at the level of an A-League club if they need help to make modest modifications to their ground.
Johan
Guest
This is quite correct AR. The western United experiment has proved an utterly predictable fiasco. Their name is totally generic and they have so few fans!! At my old private school on Sydney’s North Shore, we have bigger crowds for our rugby union matches against other GPS schools! It is a shame cos WU offer more than the utterly plastic Melbourne city but money counts. Perhaps Melbourne should only have one successful team rather than 3 unsuccessful teams. Cities of 4 million in the US routinely have one successful team rather than spread the fans too thinly. Incidentally I also believe the MacArthur bid will also be a disaster. Even noting the USA population is 320 million, there is no excuse for multiple clubs in Sydney or Melbourne. Reduce the league to 8 teams. Thr Macathur part of Sydney is too poor and the fans just won’t stomach 0-0 draws. you heard it here first peeps!!
Samuel Power
Roar Rookie
Would be better than GMHBA, I'm sure most people wouldn't mind standing, the club could run buses to Knights Stadium on game days and 3,000 seats is enough for the 6,500~ people they get to their normal games.
Boy
Guest
I heard the Knights were looking to milk a stadium upgrade fee out of them for usage. Knights see themselves as entitled to national league entry so won't give a competitor a free kick so easily...
Blood Dragon
Roar Rookie
there is a train line right near the site but it's vline and no station nearby, an infill station lets call it "wyndhelm stadium" as a placeholder would need to be built along with the stadium
Blood Dragon
Roar Rookie
public transport is almost non existent to knights stadium plus despite the 15k capacity only 3k of that is seated
Nick
Roar Guru
Mars Stadium in Ballarat also has a service station in the TV shot...and a glorious Carls Jr.
Wise Old Elf
Guest
Planning application!? We don't need no stinking planning application.
lesterlike
Roar Rookie
Yes clearly helping to invest in an actual football owned asset in the heart of their catchment area for several seasons was a far worse option than just handing over money to rent 3 unsuitable AFL owned ovals, one of which in Kardinia Park didn't even want them in the first place.
AR
Guest
There it is. No planning approval. No permits. No roads. No restaurants. No rail lines. This stadium is still an idea in the middle of a sheep paddock.
David Shilovsky
Expert
"Flora and fauna". Sounds like the government agency in the ABC show Utopia.
Samuel Power
Roar Rookie
What do you think on this issue Nick?
Nick Symonds
Guest
NEWS (February 17, 2020): Construction of new Western United ground scheduled - Struggling A-League club Western United and their partners at Wyndham City Council are hopeful they will be able to begin work on the construction of their new ground at Tarneit by winter. Wyndham Council's latest glossy publication for residents and ratepayers has a full page piece promoting Western updating the situation around the proposed venue, which, when constructed, will make them the only team in the competition to own and operate their own venue. "Plenty of work has gone on in the background to ensure the site at 1160 Sayers Road is ready," the article read. "These works include Geotech reports, soil testing and flora and fauna analyses – all critical steps before construction can commence. "The next phase of the project is preparing planning permissions and work permits, with a goal of turning sod on the stadium by mid 2020." - "We can't do anything to lodge the final planning permission until we get all the results. We are working through all of those processes – there are myriad things that need to be addressed – but most have been completed" - Council director Kate Roffey - https://www.theage.com.au/sport/soccer/construction-of-new-western-united-ground-scheduled-20200217-p541nu.html