Quote Originally Posted by Spell Check View Post
Do you genuinely believe that having a second division will change things in Newy? That the threat of relegation will mean that fans start flocking to games? That the current 6k attendances treble to numbers that actually see the club break even? I think you are very optimistic.

Yes, relegation means a much better comp and I am 100% behind it, but to think that will somehow lead to having two pro clubs in a relatively small area like the Hunter is dreaming. There were not enough fans to sustain two footy clubs when the Super League was around, and Newy will always be a footy town. We should think ourselves lucky to have one pro soccer club and back them. Dividing the local fan base when it's already at a low seems like a no-win situation for anyone.
I think the cream will rise to the top and anyone whos poorly administered and poorly supported will drop. Ultimately it's better for football as a whole, even if that means Newcastle doesn't have a first-division team - the fact that mediocrity (or not even that) is rewarded in the current setup has a lot to do with why we have to import players whos great grandad visited australia at some point in the past, and why 90% of the people you see at football fields around the city dont care about the A League. I dont agree with your point of 'we should be lucky to have one pro soccer club and back them' - why should I, you, or anyone else have to back a club if they don't feel an affinity or connection? The mens Jets do absolutely nothing to connect with the community beyond a few appearances at some presentation days. I just dont see why we should have to support them when - in every other country in the world - you support your community club and you ride the divisions with them along the way. If anything, I am anti- A leagues because I think the current setup actively works against football and the development of youth.

I don't think that a 2nd division is a silver bullet for Newcastle, to be honest, the only way to bring the whole football community together is to open the pyramid completely - at least this is a good first step to that. It also depends on your marker for success. IMO Australian football shouldn't be looking at 10k + crowds all over the country. 10k seater stadiums that are 60-80% full is where we should be at. If we're looking outside for comparison, Newy is probably a Sheffield or Bristol in this scenario. 2 pro clubs, the one that administers correctly is the one that sees success longer term. Theres room for success and failure in an open system - in a closed one? there's room for mediocrity for 90%, and a revolving 2-3 clubs who decide to have a dig every now and then.

Anyway, before an open system, a proper transfer system is required so clubs can be rewarded for their development efforts.