Aloisi gone

[Dutchy]

Perth Glory actually got better crowds in the NSL than the A-League and its the same team

[Dogwatcher]

Is that an exception to the rule though Dutchy?

What about any of the Melbourne/Sydney sides of the past, would they have attracted the crowds they did this season?

I understand parts of Wedgie's arguements, but others confound. Maybe it's cos I'm a simpleton

[Wedgie]

Firstly Wedgie Im interested why you call American Footyball artificial? apart from college footy there is not toher competition under it?

I was referring to the way it has drafts to even up teams, can just create teams or move them at a whim, etc. I enjoy it but very aftificial IMHO, its a pity the AFL had to follow this sort of style of comp as I'd much prefer the European or soccer style (promotion and relegation with an emphasis on tradition) but looking at the AFL and NFLs crowd figures it was the smart business thing to do.

Wedgie, it is because of ignorant individuals like yourself that only now (instead of 15-20 years ago) soccer/football is being embraced by the broader public in this country. Ur very short sighted if you think that Australia was ever going to be successful on the world stage by keeping the game within the cocoon of the ehtnic monorities and not make it appealing to the rest of the australian public. This is what the A-league has done and we are now seeing people coming to watch the games in record numbers very rarely seen in the days of your beloved NSL.

Dunno why Im ingorant or how I caused the game not to be broader public in this country, surely having no ethnic blood in me and attending Adelaide City and West Adelaide games would be actually helping the game appeal to the broader public You've lost me there.
Interesting point you make about being successful on the world stage as just about every person that pulled on a jumper for Australia in the world cup last year and qualifiers came through an NSL club.
I agree that the A-League appeals to a lot more people in the community so Im not sure we have anything to disagree about mate.
And no need for name calling mate, we try to keep everything on a mature level on this site with everyone having a right to their opinion.

Perth Glory actually got better crowds in the NSL than the A-League and its the same team

I could be wrong but didn't Adelaide United get better crowds in the NSL too?
Only two clubs in both leagues and both got better crowds in the NSL.
Hmmmmmm.

[mypaddock]

Perth Glory actually got better crowds in the NSL than the A-League and its the same team

I could be wrong but didn't Adelaide United get better crowds in the NSL too?
Only two clubs in both leagues and both got better crowds in the NSL.
Hmmmmmm. [/quote]

As for your point on Adelaide United having better crowds in the NSL- i think the more important issue to look at is the difference in crowds from Adelaide City(an ethnic based club run by that clown D'ottavi) compared to Adelaide United. Only Perth Glory(NSL) got crowds worthy of a National Competition- the majority of other clubs were run with personal interest at heart and not for the betterment of the game.

[Aerie]

From someone who doesn't really care much about the shape of Australian soccer - I think the A-League has been excellent for the game (combined with Australia competing in the last World Cup) for the reasons mypaddock has pointed out. However, I can understand how an Adelaide City/NSL supporter would be bitter towards how things have taken place. Many people follow a club and have a passion for a club and basically Soccer in Australia has robbed many of the real fans to try and appeal to the wider audience. In this case though - I think the positives far outweigh the negatives and the game in Australia is healthier for it.

[McAlmanac]

It had to happen. Look at the crowd figures in their entirety - not just Adelaide and Perth, which is a myopic view. Perth's ownership woes could be a turnoff for a lot of fans there - negative press doesn't build support. Adelaide City was one of the ethnic sides with a healthy culture, but others from interstate just turned people away in their droves. "Cro-a-ti-a, Cro-a-ti-a".

"If it aint broke, don't fix it". I am a traditionalist too, but there comes a time when something is so broke that you do have to fix it. Sure, the standard isn't radically different, but the package is a whole lot more attractive to the wider general public.

And all the focus is on Sydney and Melbourne. Does anyone have comparative average crowd figures for Queensland or Newcastle?

[McAlmanac]

Interesting point you make about being successful on the world stage as just about every person that pulled on a jumper for Australia in the world cup last year and qualifiers came through an NSL club.

It would be interesting to see those figures on a player by player basis. To be fair, you can now say that all future national team players will have come through an A-League club.

Schwarzer - 58 (Marconi, 90-94)
Neill - 0
Moore - 0
Cahill - 0
Culina - 35 (Sydney Utd, 96-98 ), 21 (Sydney Olympic, 98-99)
Popovic - 162 (Sydney Utd, 89-96)
Emerton - 93 (Sydney Olympic, 96-00)
Skoko - 0
Viduka - 48 (Melbourne Knoghts, 93-95)
Kewell - 0
Lazaridis - 73 (West Adelaide, 92-95)
Covic - 46 (Marconi, 97-99)
Grella - 36 (Canberra, 96-97), 50 (Carlton, 97-98 )
Chipperfield - ?? (Wollongong, left at age 26, member of NSL 99-00 championship side)
Aloisi - 1 (Adelaide City, 91-92)
Beauchamp - 25 (Marconi, 00-02), 57 (Parramatta, 02-04), 22 (Central Coast, 05-06)
Thompson - 45 (Gippsland, 96-98 ), 53 (Carlton, 98-00), 13 (Marconi, 00-01)
Kalac - 133 (Sydney Utd, 89-95, 96-98 )
Kennedy - 4 (Carlton, 99-00)
Wilkshire - 0
Sterjovski - 2 (Wollongong, 96-97), 37 (Sydney Utd, 97-99), 31 (Parramatta, 99-00)
Milligan - 14 (Northern Spirit, 03-04), 27 (Sydney FC, 05-)
Bresciano - 18 (Carlton, 97-99)

What does all this prove? I have no idea!!!

[Magpiespower]

Mis-management and politics held back Australian soccer, sorry, football, for decades.

The old NSL clubs and administrators have nobody to blame but themselves.

Good riddance.