Aloisi gone

[Wedgie]

Aloisi quits Adelaide

Adelaide United veteran Ross Aloisi has decided to leave the club.

The A-League runners-up released a statement today saying Aloisi and the club had mutually agreed to terminate his contract.

Aloisi, who was red-carded during Adelaide's 6-0 flogging at the hands of Melbourne in the A-League grand final and lost the captaincy of the club in the aftermath, has cited persistent injuries as the reason.

He also said the club's plan to rejuvenate the playing group, highlighted by the signing of Olyroos midfielder Kristian Sarkies from the Victory late last month, influenced his decision.

"Football has given so much to me and I'm just very thankful for the special opportunities I've received along the way, including playing in Europe," he said.

Adelaide chief executive Michael Petrillo said the club was grateful for Aloisi's contribution.

"Ross has had a fantastic playing career with the club and we admire his decision to make way for younger players in the playing group," he said.

"He has put the club first and as the inaugural captain of the club in the Hyundai A-League, Ross will always hold a special place within Adelaide United and in the hearts and minds of all supporters."

[Blue Boy]

How will he be remembered ???

[dinglinga]

the old adage

ur only as good as your last game

that might sum things up

[Dogwatcher]

I think his leadership throughout the season was a bit ordinary. There were moments throughout the summer that foreshadowed what was to happen in the GF. Sad but true.

[Dirko]

Seeya Rosco...good servant just did the one year too many.
Quick midfield is where it is at, no Veart no Aloisi...Sarkies and this new dude from New Zealand..
Watch the REDS go !!

[Wedgie]

How will he be remembered ???

I'll remember him for his fine goal that won us the match 1 nil versus South Melbourne in the early 90s Prelim Final, we went back to Melbourne the following week and won the Grand Final.
Nothing of note has happened in South Australian soccer since.

[Dutchy]

Spoke with someone involved int he club tonight, he was borderline to be retained but a few actions this week convinced the powers to dispense with him, also expect Rech to be given the DCM shortly and Vidmar confirmed as coach soon

[Dogwatcher]

Nothing of note has happened in South Australian soccer since.

What you don't think the resurgence of the game at national level in this state is anything of note Wedgie?
Yes titles are handy, but the regeneration of interest in a game that was lost to the majority of South Australians for nearly a decade is something, I think, of note.

[Wedgie]

Nothing of note has happened in South Australian soccer since.

What you don't think the resurgence of the game at national level in this state is anything of note Wedgie?

Nah mate, having a few bandwagonners rock up because they feel "awkward" being around people with descent or born in another country in our multi cultural society doesn't exactly rate of note IMHO. Plus, correct me if Im wrong but the A-League was created by powers in the Eastern states and wasn't created in South Australia therefore it doesn't even count as being of note in this state. And a "resurgance" is hardly a thing of note, it'd be like claiming the SANFL had a historical moment this week due to a resurgance in crowds for Round 1. Fads come and go but things like premierships live forever.
If we were talking about national moments I might recognise it as significant but not necessarily a positive one as aritificial comps don't turn me on.
All my opinion though, Im obviously in a minority looking at things like AFL crowds but Im not a theatre goer, Im more of your traditional sporting enthusiastist.

[dinglinga]

jeez hate an artificial competiton that attracts 50K to a game.....

most european leagues dont attract 50k to a game.....

[Wedgie]

jeez hate an artificial competiton that attracts 50K to a game.....

most european leagues dont attract 50k to a game.....

Don't get me wrong artificial comps are great at attracting crowds as these days there's more "theater goers" in the world than true dinky die sports fans.
I think the AFL attracts about the 3rd highest attendance per game in the entire world with American Football being top.
Both are artificial comps in the true sense of the world.
As I said, its just my opinion and I know Im a dinosaur as the true dinky die sports fans are dying out in this electronic age unfortunately.
I have no qualms with sports organisations aiming their product at theater goers as that's where the money is, smart business.

[Dogwatcher]

I'm struggling to figure out what you want from the national league Wedge?
Why is it artificial? Because it's been better promoted than it ever has before?
Am I a theatre goer because I'd never been to an NSL game due to infighting in a competition which forever looked like it was set to crumble over the past year?
I'm not sure that I grasp the concept of artificial competitions....what exactly does that mean?

PS: don't you like pro wrestling?

[Wedgie]

I'm struggling to figure out what you want from the national league Wedge?
Why is it artificial? Because it's been better promoted than it ever has before?
Am I a theatre goer because I'd never been to an NSL game due to infighting in a competition which forever looked like it was set to crumble over the past year?
I'm not sure that I grasp the concept of artificial competitions....what exactly does that mean?

When you "create" brand new teams to replace another comp or add to a comp its just too artificial for my liking, I love the English set up and the set up that's used in 99% of the world where clubs have great history and go up and down according to their own management, as I said mate, just my opinion.
But yes IMHO if you'd never been to a NSL game and started going to A-League games you are a theater goer.
Christ, if infighting was the only reason you didn't attend an NSL game you also wouldn't attend any sport in the country.
If there was infighting in a comp it'd be even more reason to get behind a team anyway as when the going gets tough the tough get going.
As I said though, its smart as theater goers are where the money is in sports in the 21st century.

PS: don't you like pro wrestling?

Only TNA, hate WWE, watch it to enjoy the stories they have and the tits on the girls! In all seriousness, my son loves it so I try to take an interest in it so I can enjoy another thing with him, and I certainly wouldn't be comparing pro wrestling to sport, it'd be like comparing the Lord of the Rings trilogy to sport as its all fiction. Luckily for me he has no interest in soccer as they have some good stories but less tits, similar sort of dives though when a hit/tackle misses by a foot!

I am trying to take an interest in the A-League but am finding it hard, would find it a struggle to attend a game as it'd be like attending a Crows or Power game which certainly doesn't turn me on, Im more likely to attend a State Comp game, would probably attend more if Adelaide City were closer.

Ironically I might find it harder to keep an interest in A-League Version 3 as the main interest I've had in the first 2 season was hoping Adelaide United lost but this year 95% of the reasons why I didn't like AU are no longer there. I'll try though as I've been a fan of the Australian national competition since 1977.

[redden whites]

Wedgie ,I feel I have got to post to back you up.Where the hell were all these soccer nuts when Adelaide City were beating the pants off everyone and at one stage had 5 palyers line up in the national side starting 11.They would have hammered the shit out of Adelaide Utd most days of the week in most years.As a 3rd generation pommy decendant I had no quarms about going to Adelaide City and loved every second.I have been to 2 Adelaide Utd games and thats all but have never missed a tv game.The first game I went to Scott Mcbain drove me nuts telling me when to cheer and the second one a blooby clown in the Northern Stand drove me even crazier.I think the clown has since been given the arse. Went to the World Cup in Germany-Olyroos qualifiers going on at the moment-Asian cup later this year I'm going to as well but will follow Adelaide Utd via tv...for me its just not the same as the good ol days .

[Il Duce]

the old days were great, when there used only about 2000 of us at the games (unless we were playing west adelaide) and the hardcore 12-15 of us boys behind the goals. although the crowed number wasnt there, there was more fun, all you chants could be herd all over the ground, line weren't as long for booze and there thing that annoys me the most at united games there's wasn't everyone, thinking they were best and biggest fan and trying to outdo each other we all partyed together.

[McAlmanac]

the old days were great, when there used only about 2000 of us at the games (unless we were playing west adelaide) and the hardcore 12-15 of us boys behind the goals. although the crowed number wasnt there, there was more fun, all you chants could be herd all over the ground, line weren't as long for booze and there thing that annoys me the most at united games there's wasn't everyone, thinking they were best and biggest fan and trying to outdo each other we all partyed together.

Interesting that you promote the fascist salute in your avatar.

[Il Duce]

it's only there cause it's lazio and it's dicanio and i havent got another pic of him in a lazio top

[Dutchy]

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

My father in law went to every West Adelaide game, he is your traditional "older" greek who loved his club however he saw the writing on the wall and in their last years was calling for an a-league set up, he now loves it and many of his mates who were disenchanted with the old NSL have come back to the game, also though there are some like Wedgie who refuse to come back including my wife's family were major sponsors of the Sharks and now moved their money to another sport...only yesterday my father in law said at the Olyroo game last week he saw old faces who will go to those games but not the a-league

Ive been to both and while I loved the old traditional NSL, the A-league has taken soccer to a new level in this country and the atmosphere at Hindmarsh when there are at least 7000 there is awesome, matching the old derby games. the thing that amazes me is the amount of kids at the soccer, this is a serious sport that is only going to get stronger int he years to come and be up there with Aussie rules and cricket

[johntheclaret]

Reading the posts, I think some of you appear to be missing the point that Wedgie was making. I have no experience of the A League or the NSL for that matter. When I was there, Juventus, Polonia, Hellas, Campbeltown and Salisbury were fighting in Division 1, so I don't consider myself an expert, at any strretch of the imagination, but I can draw similarities with the AvFL and the EPL and how the fan base has changed. I accept that the AvFL is different because the original VFL clubs formed the basis of the new national league and would have carried ther original fan base with them, unlike say Power or Crows, but the notion of "theatre goers" is still the same as the EPL. The EPL has changed out of all recognition from the days when it was the old 1st division, and, whilst trying not to genralise too much, the real true grit fans are in the lower leagues, CCC, CL1 CL2 etc. This seams to be the same for the SANFL. Fans runnning raffles for the club, doing food, Banners etc, like in the lower English leagues. TV and the money it brings, and the grounds becoming all seater seem to be responsible for the theatre brigade, as Roy Keane once said, all the Man U supporter were in their boxes eating cucumber sandwiches. Believe it or not, but the magority of real english supporters don't care too much for the premiership, the style of play is sometimes quite sterile, and becoming a non contact sport, gamesmanship seems to be more prevelent than in the lower leagues and the top EPL players parade about as though they are some kind of celebrities . It's not just Man U. Chelski, Arsenal and to some extent Spurs are all the same.

Apologies Wedgie, if I have misunderstood you post, and to those die hard AvFL, EPL fans, just IMO only

[mypaddock]

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.