Sky Blue fans, your day of ruling the Emerald City is about to be questioned by a National Premier League side.
Sitting on top of the NSW table, APIA Leichhardt lead the semi-professional competition. Take note, football connoisseurs, the coffees are better west of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
As an extra treat, Franco Parisi‘s men have also qualified for the next stage of the Australia Cup, reaching the Round of 32.
The former player turned manager has transformed the Inner West team into a powerhouse club, worthy of admission into football’s impending second division.
However, can APIA transition to the highest tiered competition, which eventually might pit Leichhardt against various A-League juggernauts?
The first consideration is location, placing APIA within a 10-kilometre radius from Moore Park, home of Sydney FC, their closest rivals.
Hypothetically, if Parisi’s players were to progress beyond the second division, then a new A-League derby would be born.
Yes, an actual derby, folks. Based on close proximity, and not irony, such as the “distance derby” between Wellington and Perth.
Such a game would also challenge the status quo of the celebrated derby between Western Sydney and the Sky Blues. Suddenly, the Wanderers’ would be competing with APIA, both clubs playing the role of nemesis to antagoniser Sydney FC.
Is there a new A-League derby in the future? (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
Situated on the light rail network, APIA’s Lambert Park is a 20-minute ride from Central Station and has hosted Inner West football for decades.
Alighting at Marion Station, punters have a two-minute walk to the home of APIA, which can hold around 7000 fans.
So far so good, although the boutique stadium does have its challenges. Having artificial turf, Lambert Park might not fit the field requirements set by the A-League.
Secondly, there is seating for only 2000 spectators and their hospitality packages are minuscule, limiting corporate sponsors to the old clubhouse.
With Sydney FC patrons proving financial clout on away days, surely there are better options to lure the opposition’s almighty dollar?
Refurbishing the ground which was built in 1954 comes with a series of challenges, starting with limited land space. There’s also zoning restrictions as the suburb is slowly being transformed from warehouses into residential units.
A solution would be to engage the local council and upgrade nearby Leichhardt Oval, rebranding it in APIA’s colours and crest, which allows Lambert Park to remain a training base.
With all due respect to the Wests Tigers, rugby league can’t call the “eighth wonder of the world” their exclusive home anymore.
In any event Tim Sheens’ black and gold men already have a new centre of excellence at Concord, funded partially by the NSW government.
It’s about time football flexed its muscles and moved full-time to Leichhardt Oval.
Brendan
Roar Pro
The Italian derby is always an event. Parking is certainly an issue. The Italian Forum provides ample spots, but the walk from Norton Street will take around 15 minutes.
Bendtner52
Roar Pro
I visited Lambert Park during Easter 2021 for a game with Marconi and it was a fantastic experience. Location of the ground is perfect, close enough to restaurants & bars along Norton Street and breweries in Marickville. If they could somehow redevelop the stands and sort out some parking for high profile matches it’s the perfect location to host top level football.
Brendan
Roar Pro
True, Homebush could be an option, if the price is right. I recall WSW played a few seasons there, although the crowd numbers eventually dwindled. Yeah, ambitions are one thing, but the realities of funding a professional club is another. At some stage, the NSD volunteers will ask for casual payment, once they get promoted. People know their value. The other elephant in the room is club politics. I find the smaller teams (or former NSL establishments) suffer from in-fighting, caused by either greed or ego.
Rodger King
Roar Rookie
An interesting article. When considering teams to play in the A-League, surely, their stadium would have to meet or better the current criteria. While I am certain APIA would love to entertain A-League fixtures in the inner west, realistically, the ground just doesn't make the grade. They too would have to use either Homebush or Moore Park, whichever is the cheaper I suspect. PnR is so far into the future that most of us won't be alive to actually see it. I hold the firm belief that clubs must show more than just one successful season on the park in the 2nd tier. Most clubs will find the step up from semi-pro to fully professional to be a step to make. Talk is cheap when it comes to playing at the highest level, and most clubs get their ambitions and capabilities confused.
Brendan
Roar Pro
I agree about the local neighbours. I was surprised the new skatepark (near La Montage) was given the green light. In pleasing news, Lambert Park will be one of the dedicated locations (around Sydney) to watch the Matilda’s on a big screen TV.
chris1
Roar Rookie
I live in the Canada Bay council area and they are very supportive of upgrading sporting facilities. Leichhardt oval comes with its own challenges with lack of parking and noisy neighbours that would be opposed to any upgrades etc. That's the inner west though. At the very least Lambert Park could get an upgrade with no encroachment on roads, rail lines etc. I mean they upgraded Concord Oval. The surface at that centre of excellence looks like Wembley.
Brendan
Roar Pro
“North” is a curious territory, as it’s typically an FC region, sprinkled with CCM fans, having previously played at North Sydney Oval. “South” is another conundrum. Again, there are FC supporters, then Wollongong diehards further south. It’s also a where Southern Expansion once expressed interest in joining the A-League. I’d guess the cautious Sky Blues analyse & watch both regions with trepidation.
Garry
Roar Rookie
The next 4 teams will be chosen based on geography. After that it will be based on linking NST/NSD with ALM with the only real criteria affordability.i.e. survival of the fittest.
Kevin
Roar Rookie
Surely the plan is to have 5 teams across Greater Sydney representing the different areas City West & Central South North Greater West There are 3 teams already, so room for another 2.
Brendan
Roar Pro
Cheers, Texi. P&R is a prickly pineapple, for sure. Turing a club’s fortunes around only takes one influential shareholder with deep pockets. Once P&R is assured, it might be the end of the APL selling franchises. In the meantime, I’m sure a second New Zealand team will cross the line, creating a derby with Wellington. Based on its large supporter base, NPL club Sydney United obviously have the numbers, but, the mainstream media might view former NSL teams with suspicion.
Texi
Roar Rookie
Loving the positivity! I’ve got a feeling that Pro/Rel may be some time away yet. How come the A-League is accepting more clubs, while the NSD should be the source of the next clubs in the top tier?
Brendan
Roar Pro
Yup, that previous match went into extra time, thanks to a last-minute Cummings goal. Corica had the last laugh though. I noticed there were a few young families present, & quite a few left after 90 minutes. I didn’t see the fracas either, only some blurred images on social media, some showing teenagers in black tracksuits.
Garry
Roar Rookie
My friend parks near the water & can get directly onto a main road fairly quickly and the walks ok. Id expect the CCM game to be there. I remember watching last year we won in a close one & thinking CCM was going to be a dangerous side with all the attackers they had..that was the game with the crowd trouble tho I believe. I saw a women complaining about some issue with security but missed what happened.
Brendan
Roar Pro
I’m hoping Sydney FC’s Australia Cup match against CCM (venue TBC) is at Leichhardt Oval. Agreed, parking is a huge issue. There are limited spaces near La Montage (beneath the pool), & it’s a bottleneck when departing. Years ago, I saw a proposed new grandstand for Lambert Park, and the petite seating reminded me of WIN Stadium’s western grandstand, practically built over the footpath. Going forward, APIA need more room to grow.
Garry
Roar Rookie
First a pedantic correction!..as far as I can tell Apia has always been a powerhouse but like most big clubs has had ups and downs. I moved nearby partly because Sydney Fc was supposed to play their games at Leichhardt. I’ve attended Lambert and you’re right its not suitable for A league..its such an enclosed space that balls occasionally leave the ground. And while artificial its not exactly flat. However I dont think the Oval is a suitable alternative either. The problem Sydney fc had was lack of adequate parking & this would be an issue for Apia – unless they get a LOT of locals :happy: or someone builds a parking garage nearby.
Brendan
Roar Pro
Canada Bay Council ploughed millions into Wests Tigers, which gives me faith about APIA requesting similar finances, if necessary. Currently most A-League clubs don’t own their own stadium, but that’s different with APIA (& a few other NPL clubs). I believe Lambert Park is also valued far more than Leichhardt Oval, being situated next to Market Place shopping centre. Meaning, if Lambert Park was sold for residential redevelopment, APIA could afford to buy Leichhardt Oval. Wests Tigers and others teams would then pay APIA rent. Bring on the Inner West derby against Sydney FC.
Grem
Roar Rookie
It would be nice for football to have some dedicated grounds. Leichardt Oval as the home to Apia Leichardt rather than the Wests, Lidcombe, Campbelltown, Balmain tigers does make sense if they play in the new 2nd division. And after refurbishing the ground for football, which the Socceroos and Matildas could use as a training base when in Sydney, league could occasionally play there too, if there were no clashes.