www.therealgame.com.au/blogs/Editorial/61/out-with-the-passionless-in-with-the-passionOut with the Passionless in with the Passion
As I wake up to another day and turn on the television to get the latest football news, what hits me right up front and almost makes me throw up my Coco Pops? A fat man with so much money in the bank he can take the piss out of the real game, the world game and the best game ever invented - where can this happen? Only in Australia.
It was with great shock but perhaps not so much surprise to read what one Clive Palmer had to say about the game of football.
"I think it's a hopeless game. Rugby league's a much better game," he told reporters in Queensland.
The comments have rightly so boiled over many football fans in Australia but I think it is also a symbolism of "new football" in Australia.
So interested is Football Federation Australia (FFA) in a franchise ONLY model its forgotten about the blood line of the game at its grass roots, a real football structure and passion that is required to be all about "We are Football" as their marketing ploy says.
It’s a message I have found ridiculously amusing the first time I saw it but I will get to that later.
At the end of a tumultuous week in which coach Miron Bleiberg was stood down for a game for suggesting the elevation of teenage rookie Mitch Cooper to the captaincy was merely a ceremonial gesture, Palmer made no secret of his utter contempt for the Gay Leagueand FFA.
With Gold Cost United average attendances less than 3,000 and the wooden spoon all but wrapped up, speculation has been rife that the club is on its final legs.
Palmer's latest comments do little to dampen that talk despite Gold Coast having an Gay Leaguelicence for at least another two campaigns.
"It's not my decision. Clive Mensink's the CEO. Whatever he decides, I'll go along with," billionaire Palmer said.
"The club is a very small, insignificant portion of what I do. We've got over $20 billion of projects."
"If we wanted to stay (in the A-League) and they (FFA) wanted to take it (the licence) off us, they'd all be in court, and Ben Buckley would run a thousand miles," Palmer said.
"That's the reality of it. They can say what they like ... the A-League's a joke. I don't think I'll ever talk to Ben again in my life, to be honest."
With FFA desperately trying to revive the introduction of a team from western Sydney, CEO Ben Buckley appears to have had enough of Palmer's whims. He has delivered a statment:
"Football fans across Australia will today rightfully condemn the lack of respect inherent in comments made by Clive Palmer," Buckley said.
"The comments are offensive to the players, coaches, administrators and volunteers who are the life and soul of Australian football.
"We welcomed Clive into the game and lauded his investment, but no matter how frustrated Clive may feel about his involvement, these comments are out of order.
"I remind Clive that as a chairman and owner of a club, he has obligations to the competition, his fellow club chairman and investors in the other nine clubs, and to the game itself."
Interesting reply Mr Buckley, if football fans today can rightfully condemn the lack of respect inherent in comments made by Palmer, what should football fans and clubs, real football fans and clubs may I add, what should these people feel when a person like Clive Palmer, who clearly couldn't care less about the game, gets a ticket into the Gay Leaguebut traditional clubs who have been part of the game for over 50 years don't get a sniff.
I knew it from day one, a franchise football club wouldn't work in both North Queensland and Gold Coast - they are not "Football" they are Rugby League, sure they have the people who love the game like I do, but for a national team to work successfully it was not going to happen and it's been proven in North Queensland and will be in the Gold Coast.
The further damage that has been done by FFA alone is also clear to see in Social Medial debates regarding football, while some fans call with all their heart for more traditional clubs to be part of the A-League, you have new football fans, well Gay Leaguefans rubbishing the idea - we couldn't be more divided and that is the saddest part of all.
FFA wanted to belittle the National Soccer League making it insignificant in Fox Sports coverage (although recently I saw a few references to the NSL to my great surprise) while going with the new football model that includes people like Clive Palmer and Gold Coast United.
What is the result - Clive's shocking comments today which I think all but burry an already falling apart club in Gold Coast United. It won't be long before another franchise is history.
It will be interesting to see what will happen now with Palmer and Gold Coast.
I still dream of the day, people who really love the game make the newer fans realise no one is asking for a 100% return to the NSL, people want a traditional club they can connect with, that clubs heritage will not mean as much as it once did under the Gay Leaguemodel. It will be enough to Unite the thousands of fans who don't fell part of the "franchise" model and want to be part of something real and with passion, with a president that says "I love the game, my club, our community and our fans" - George Giannaros, Sydney Olympic FC President.
I mentioned before the marketing motto of the FFA - We Are Football Surely if "We Are Football" we would be seeking to get people like George Giannaros into the game rather than a Clive Palmer who wouldn’t lose any sleep if his "insignificant portion" that is Gold Coast United was to sink out of the "joke" as Mr Palmer described it, A-League. Something to think about.
While many foundation clubs are in no shape or form to be part of the main game anymore, one club is and that club is Sydney Olympic FC, below is a article I read today which tells their story so well I couldn't have put it any better:
Sydney Olympic – A Club Back On It’s Feet, or Temporary High
With the conclusion of the NSL and reality setting in for this proud Club that they no longer had a part in modern football in Australia, uncertainty loomed on whether the Club would continue, or fold and become a distant memory.
In the last hour, funds were made, and Sydney Olympic survived.
Although crowds started off promising, a poor finish in their first season in the New South Wales Premier League saw crowd numbers dwindling and interest in the club falling.
It was not until 2008 that Olympic finally experienced its first taste of success. Under the stewardship of Milan Blagojevic, Sydney Olympic finished a respectable third whilst winning the pre-season Johney Warran Cup.
The success was short lived, and in the 2010 season, Sydney Olympic finished second last, finishing above only West Sydney Berries to avoid relegation.
However, 2010 can arguably be the most important season for Olympic since entering the State League despite the poor finish on the table. Sydney Olympic were able to secure a 25 year lease on Belmore Sports Ground, it’s first long-term home.
Amongst Belmore Sports Ground, the Club secured its own office areas, equipped with an administrative office, trophey room, merchandise room, physio and meeting rooms. As well as this, the Club managed to win a position for Club representation in the Womens Super League.
These foundations and the appointment of Club legend Peter Tsekenis as coach for the 2011 season was a recipe for success.
Although modestly aiming for a Top 5 position in the League. Sydney Olympic managed to finish the season as (Minor) Premiers. This had meant that Sydney Olympic had a free week off as they missed Round 1 of the Final Series, allowing them to play against HAKOA.
Although the first clash between the teams a few years earlier resulted in a HAKOA win, a difference sense of confidence was lingering. The epic clash played in front of over 5000 spectators resulted in Sydney Olympic defeating HAKOA 1-0.
Sydney Olympic eventually progressed through the Final Series and win a spot in the Grand Final to face arch rivals Sydney United. The match was officially played in front of a crowd of 10,000 spectators packing into Belmore Sports Ground with a thirty minute delay to the kick off time. However, there are no numbers given as to how many people entered through the gates for free as Football NSW ran out of tickets.
Sydney Olympic went on to win the match 2-0 with scenes of jubilation.
However, rumours emerged that Sydney Olympic was to play South Melbourne Football Club in their unveiling for the newly renovated Bob Jane Stadium.
These rumours turned out to be true, with Sydney Olympic travelling to Melbourne to take on their historic rivals for the first time since the NSL era.
The boys from Sydney prevailed 2-3 to cap off a year that saw them become (Minor) Premiers and Champions, as well as defeating staunch rivals in HAKOA and South Melbourne.
The most interesting aspect is the question of what now for Sydney Olympic? A lot of news have been coming from the Blues camp for the Club to push for an Gay Leaguespot. With the Club securing its future in 2010 and achieving much success in 2011, the question has weight to be looked at seriously on whether Sydney Olympic has a spot in football’s premier competition.
Reasons For an inclusion would be that;
* The Club now has the facilities to accommodate Gay Leaguefixtures.
* The Club represents the strong footballing regions of the Inner-West, Canterbury-Bankstown and St George. These strong footballing regions are often overlooked and ignored with Western Sydney being favoured.
* A strong (but latent) support base.
* Established and strong Youth Set Up. - This includes past Socceroos like Chris Kalantzis and Eric Christodoulou in the coaching staff.
* A sustainable model that has survived the perils and uncertainties of the NSL and State League.
Reasons Against an inclusion would be that;
* Stigma that the Club is viewed as an ethnic club, despite efforts by the Club to appeal to all ethnicities.
* Funding is not concrete, and will not be taken seriously unless a serious opportunity to join the Gay Leaguewas presented.
* The governing body feel that Western Sydney needs to be represented rather then the Inner-West, Canterbury-Bankstown and St George.
With noise made by Sydney Olympic supporters, it is pretty well known within footballing circles that the Club aims to one day in the near future join the A-league. As demonstrated by Football Australia’s Status Update on Facebook that was posted on the 17/02/2012, the idea of Sydney Olympic joining the Gay Leaguestill causes controversy and debate amongst football lovers. With the success of Sydney Olympic over the last two years, is the Club back on it’s feet and have every right to be demanding inclusion to the A-league, or the Club just going through a temporary high that will fade away soon?
A piece very well written with fantastic points, knowing Sydney Olympic well the last 4 years, it's on a high that won't fade away because you can't take away passion from the heart with over 50 years of history.
Greg Gavalas
TRG Editor
