Western United’s A-League team went down to reigning champions Sydney FC 1-0 at Mars Stadium in Ballarat on Saturday.
However the biggest concern was the crowd of only 2020 that turned up to the game.
United are well within finals contention but their crowds this season have been most disappointing. Their offical average crowd is 3290.
The most interesting statistic this weekend is that Western United’s youth team played in front of over 3000 fans against Preston Lions on Friday night at Genis Steel Stadium in NPL3.
(Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
The Lions are known for getting big crowds despite playing in the fourth tier of Australian football, and Western United’s youngsters experienced the passion last night of the former NSL giants, who are unbeaten in 2021 and climbing up the football pyramid.
Western United, meanwhile, have a lot to do to capture more fans, and while their purpose-built and privately owned stadium at Tarneit will make things better, the club risks losing its identity before the ground is even ready.
Western United have played home games in Geelong, Footscray and even Tasmania as well as Ballarat.
Macarthur FC, the latest team to join the A-League, have also struggled to attract crowds.
Ante Milicic’s team have had an excellent first season and are one of the title favourites but have barely averaged 3000 fans themselves.
The crowds at Preston have given plenty of momentum to the proposed national second division, which is expected to kick-off in 2023.
Adrian
Guest
People can't plan to travel anywhere and games are randomly schedule with days notice. Complaining about crowd's with covid constantly rescheduling is about as dumb as it gets.
At work
Roar Rookie
IMO the only positive of Western United are their playing strips, oh and Diamanti obviously.
John
Guest
Preston Lions to be applauded for contributing to a renaissance in NPL VIC football. Hope all NPL clubs can do the same and help demonstrate to the FFA that the B-league is a must if they are to strengthen the round ball game in this country.
pete4
Roar Rookie
Wouldn’t it be better if Melbourne Victory took it instead? FA are planning to build a “Home of Football” in Sydney
Micko
Roar Rookie
Well...they ditched Whitten Oval, which was geographically appropriate. Why???
Micko
Roar Rookie
Fair point. They ditched Whitten Oval though.
Blood Dragon
Roar Rookie
I think the Sharks in the NRL and that's it, the AFL do own Docklands but that's a league not a team to be fair
Blood Dragon
Roar Rookie
Knights basically wanted Western United to rebuild there entire stadium for them Rightfully Western United told them where to go
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
Good news for Football and Rugby.
Blood Dragon
Roar Rookie
AAMI Park already has 4 full time tenants playing 3 different sports would make scheduling and pitch Maintenance a nightmare
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Oh, and forgot to say, “football is dead” hahahaha :silly:
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Does Victory merge with SM or has that already happened :laughing:
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Matilda’s new home in Melbourne !!! https://www.theage.com.au/sport/soccer/home-of-matildas-to-be-in-melbourne-after-116m-government-backing-20210516-p57sb6.html
Gavan De'Athe
Guest
- Just call them Geelong and be done with it - move city to Epping - Then bring in Melbourne Knights for West Melbourne, South Melbourne and a Gippsland Falcon 2000.
Melange
Guest
They have a ridiculous name, a Thai student living with us is completely bemused as to why a team just calls themselves Western, “Western what?” , he regularly muses. They have a playing strip that was inspired by tarmac, unfortunately they have a playing style and culture inspired by tarmac too.
JJ Pinto
Guest
NPL3 and getting more crowd than ALeague games and more crowds than any other NPL club across the state. Knights v Sth Melb traditional clubs of Victoria had less in NPL1. What’s laughable is you thinking over 3000 people at home games is laughable. Start up the National B League and you will find ALeague numbers will go down even more.
Tigertown
Guest
If both WU & Macarthur aren’t achieving their “metrics”, does this concern scare other potential A-League investors away? If so, the cost of another A-League licence is lowered. Pound-for-pound, Adelaide United appear to be one of the league’s strongest teams. They seem to punch above their weight. Both WU & Macarthur need to study how the Reds run their business.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
“ They also have one of the worst most generic bland name in the history of Australian football.” Agree with you.
Nick21
Roar Pro
Except it's not. Western United inflated their crowd. There was no more than 500 people at the match they said was 900. Last night's official crowd was 2020 from memory. There was no more than 1,000 people there. The reality is much worse. That's what you get for letting Foxtel run your football strategy. They also have one of the worst most generic bland name in the history of Australian football.
Nick Symonds
Guest
Another correction: 5,653 minus 3,290 = 2,363 2,363 as a percentage of 5,653 = 41.8 percent down from last year - I'm a bit tired...