Apparently there is 32 teams for the first year and then they will expand it to all NPL teams the following year and see where they go from thereOriginally Posted by militiamon
Apparently there is 32 teams for the first year and then they will expand it to all NPL teams the following year and see where they go from there
Even the FA cup has qualifying rounds. Its nothing like the Champions League there is no group stage is there?
Ya, not a great comparison hey, but closer to the Champions League in the sense that it seems the teams will qualify for the FFA Cup based on league positions, winning their own separate cups, etc., rather than qualification being entirely contained in the FFA Cup competition and irrespective of other results.
joel says it will change in subsequent years, I'll take his word for it. Chances of this running next year are slim as it is.
that's what I read a month or so ago. Last November A contact I have at the Jets told me that it will start this year but nothings moved since then so I'm doubtful
The winner of the state cup (solo cup) 2014 will represent northern nsw football
http://theconversation.com/australia...approach-21851
Well worth a read.
Australia has no ‘soccer hooligan’ problem – but we need a smarter policing approach
Media commentary is not a reliable indicator of the severity of fan violence in Australian soccer – but policing approaches do need to improve. AAP/David Crosling
The A-League soccer game between Melbourne Victory and Western Sydney Wanderers late last year attracted national media headlines for all the wrong reasons: brawls between opposing fans outside a city pub, flares inside the ground.
For some, including the authorities, these behaviours exemplify the lingering menace of fan violence as well as the possible emergence of a “soccer hooligan” culture in Australia. Both clubs have accepted a three-point deduction, suspended until the end of the 2013-14 season, for their fans' misbehaviour.
However, media commentary is not a reliable indicator of the severity of fan violence in Australian soccer. In reality, levels of fan violence in Australian soccer are similar to those experienced in other Australian football codes. The overwhelming majority of A-League matches run pretty much incident-free.
It seems that the sport is tarnished in part by its international reputation as a site for hooliganism, particularly in Europe and South America. Comparable traditions of organised hooliganism don’t exist in any Australian spectator sport, including soccer.
Yet recent events also highlight certain issues that pose public safety and security challenges for the authorities. The displacement of incidents to outside the venue, for example on the way to or from the ground or in the city centre, is one such risk. The hazardous discharge of flares in crowded, closed venues is another.
Western Sydney fans set off flares at a recent game in Melbourne, sparking a renewed debate over ‘soccer hooliganism’. AAP/Joe Castro
The presence of large groups of boisterous young males can also be a daunting sight for law enforcers, even when these fans have legitimate intentions.
The A-League as a spectator sport now rivals many of the more established Australian sporting codes. As the popularity of the A-League continues to grow and Australian soccer fandom evolves, the promotion of safe yet exciting events becomes a critical task.
So, how can police, security, clubs and governing bodies develop effective public order management strategies without crippling the positive norms and rituals of fan expression, which produce the unique atmosphere at A-League games?
In answering this question, we can draw on elements of good practice that are currently used overseas. Certain control measures, such as the segregation of home and away fans, may be alien to many Australian sports fans, but are perfectly normalised in most European countries. This is especially the case at games where there is a heightened rivalry between opposing fans.
While segregation can have the unintended consequence of enhancing in-group solidarity and out-group antagonism, such antagonism is typically limited to ritualised aggression: that is, chanting and taunting and delivering insults, rather than any physical violence.
International practice and research tells us that mere repression and “stamping hard on it from above” will not solve the problem. Sure, punishment of serious offences is a necessary component of public order management. For example, the risk of being banned from matches for a long time (coupled with the recognition that such a ban will be strictly enforced) can act as a deterrent.
However, a more holistic public order management framework is required. A thorough understanding of fan culture and group dynamics is central to this. So too is the need to overcome the scepticism that often exists among social control agents, such as police and security, towards engaging in dialogue with soccer fans.
Some European clubs have suffered ‘hooligan’ problems - but have actively engaged fans' views in helping to solve them. EPA
Given that the vast majority of fans have legitimate intentions and do not seek to cause or contribute to violence, public order management ought to facilitate rather than control the majority of fans. Police and security also need to be able to respond selectively and differentiate between fans acting inappropriately and those engaging in lawful behaviours, based on information from events as those events develop.
If they treat all fans as potentially dangerous or react to the violent behaviour of some fans by imposing restraint on all, then this increases the likelihood of violating fan conceptions of legitimacy and inviting hostile crowd reactions.
Active communication and dialogue with fans can prevent or de-escalate conflict situations. Many active soccer fans want to play a role in promoting their game.
In some cases, fans, clubs, police and security have developed notions of shared responsibility. Fans are actively engaged in decision-making, contribute to the promotion of pro-social behaviours among their ranks and self-police behaviours that they consider illegitimate and harmful.
This type of approach has been quite effective at clubs such as Spanish La Liga club Espanyol. That club had experienced considerable hooligan problems which were reduced through the collaborative efforts of active fan groups and the club.
Some A-League clubs have sought to engage fans and keep communication channels open. Yet dialogue can easily break down due to misunderstandings or frictions.
Fostering longer-term relationships and co-operation between diverse stakeholders – including fan groups – will be pivotal to the development of the A-League as a premier spectator sport in Australia.
Maybe they could practice what they preach instead of arrogant secos and police turning banter into uncontrolled debacles.
Nah, what we really need is a team of eggheads that can establish a workshop to consult with the fans and explain to them what "NO VIOLENCE" and "NO FLARES" means.
Prob need minimum honours degree or a masters, such is the inability for some people to comprehend such complex tasks.
Heres hoping your Steve Hawkins, Noam Chomsky's and the like have some spare time to help our great game.
Gee, wish I lived in plague's world.
To young men in King's Cross: NO KING HITTING
To asylum seekers in Australian waters: NO ASYLUM SEEKING
To North Korea: NO NUKES
Problems solved
Yes you do.
It's fun, but quite exhausting on occasion.
edit: actually, to give you a small window into Plagues world, ive been lucky enough to go to hundreds of football games, concerts, other sporting events, protests (yes!!), and gatherings all over the world though the years. Ive been shitfaced and enjoyed myself in ways that most ordinary citizens do. But I have never once felt the need to punch on, nor ever rip a flare or puff my chest out and make the event more about 'me' than the people I'm there to see. (and believe me, im dead set right in the middle of the 'demo').
Ive also never been 'that guy' that i always read about that is always standing there minding his own business who gets punched out by cops or seccos for absolutely no reason at all.
Granted it has probably happened (never in Plague world) but I just get a bit over reading everyone blame everyone other than the people who are starting most of this stuff, a couple of retarded fans.
Last edited by plague; 10-01-2014 at 09:06 AM.
old news but should be in every threadNewcastle Jets sign Joel Griffiths for rest of season smh
Be a big achievement for the Pissant town to land someone like thisALESSANDRO Del Piero's presence in Adelaide for 48 hours last week created a player hype never seen before in the history of football in SA.
The Sydney FC captain, Italy and Juventus legend left a legacy which for too long has been ignored by Adelaide United.
But having Del Piero in town told a story which Adelaide's hierarchy should actually try to 'read' before discounting the notion that marquee players aren't worth a pinch because the SA market is futile.
The club has stated that marquee fact on its "official unofficial" website.
But it's now time for Adelaide to target a real star for SA.
Fox Sports football expert Mark Bosnich agrees.
"They need to get a big player, a real big player next season,'' Bosnich said.
"Del Piero proved that they are ready, the club wouldn't go wrong with a big name Italian or one from the UK.
"They have to see the best fit for their market and I think that's it."
Juventus midfielder Andrea Pirlo, left, takes on AS Roma forward Francesco Totti. Picture: Massimo Pinca/AP Photo.
Juventus midfielder Andrea Pirlo, left, takes on AS Roma forward Francesco Totti. Picture: Massimo Pinca/AP Photo.
Del Piero proved Adelaide fans will support a marquee spend and perhaps it's time principal owner Robert Gerard got actively involved in attracting the best possible player to SA.
Del Piero was pie in the sky stuff but Sydney made it happen after Adelaide's football director Michael Petrillo was given an opportunity to investigate the Juventus legend's status a year before the Sky Blues signed the megastar.
Melbourne-based Lou Sticca, managing director of Tribal Sports Group, has achieved great success in helping to attract some of the biggest names like Del Piero, Dwight Yorke (former Sydney FC) and Shinji Ono (Western Sydney Wanderers) to the A-League.
The trio have made an instant impact in their various club markets.
Sticca believes Adelaide United's market is best suited to attracting first class marquee players from either the United Kingdom, Italy and Greece.
"The flow on effect of a marquee player is more than just the immediate impact it has on the club,'' Sticca said.
"A player like Del Piero, Shinji Ono and a Dwight Yorke has an effect right across the competition. Back in year one of the A-League (2005/06) Dwight Yorke put the competition on the map in a crowded sporting landscape.
"Yorke gave the A-League the fuel to take off and to get the exposure that it got and the crowds that it got there's no doubt that Dwight Yorke's capture by Sydney FC had a dramatic effect right across Sydney as a hole.
Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand receiving treatment after an onfield clash. Picture: Andrew Yates/AFP Photo.
Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand receiving treatment after an onfield clash. Picture: Andrew Yates/AFP Photo.
"A KPI you could use for a successful marquee is that the away crowds, documentary evidence is there that every time Yorke played an away game it was the host club's biggest gate of the season.
"Del Piero has had a similar effect and Adelaide proved that when nearly 16,000 people turned up, it proves that good marque players work.
"I'm a real big fan of the Adelaide market and I think Adelaide is as vibrant a market as any other city."
Del Piero may have cost Sydney FC about $4 million for two seasons but the Sky Blues got a lot more opportunities to recoup their cash and actually made some more because the Italian is a brand - not just a player that will help the club win games.
Not only has Del Piero attracted more people to stadiums but he has also given the club an opportunity to on sell everything associated with the Italian being at their club.
The Italian would have been a neat fit in the SA market.
Del Piero mania was in full swing the moment he landed in Adelaide on Thursday when more than 300 fans welcomed the Italian megastar at the airport.
When 15,347 fans turned up to Hindmarsh to watch Sydney FC take on Adelaide the gate probably jumped by 5000 extra because of the Del Piero factor.
And the Italian did not disappoint.
Even though he was not in pristine physical condition Del Piero made sure his fans got a nice dose of the 2006 FIFA World Cup winner for 77 minutes.
When he left the pitch to a standing ovation one wonders what would have happened if he scored.
Would his goal have attracted more noise than an Adelaide goal?
And Adelaide officials may even say Hindmarsh may be too small to cater for a marquee star but then we now have the grand Adelaide Oval's 53,500 capacity to cope with five star A-League games.
There is a whisper the club is targeting a "$20 million player" but there are no excuses now for Adelaide United to delve into the marquee market and mix it with the big guns of the A-League.
TOP FIVE OFF CONTRACT MARQUEE PLAYERS ADELAIDE UNITED SHOULD TARGET NEXT SEASON
No. 1 - Andrea Pirlo, 34 - Italy, Juventus, AC Milan
Why? - Pirlo is a brand just like Alessandro Del Piero. The 2006 FIFA World Cup winner with Italy is a midfielder with exquisite skills both from free play and set pieces. He is loved globally as a man. Adelaide fans will flock to see Pirlo not only at stadiums. Pirlo knows Adelaide. He was in Adelaide playing for Italy at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.
No. 2 David Trezeguet, 36 - France, Juventus, River Plate, AS Monaco. (1998 FIFA World Cup winner)
Why? If you watched the reception Trezeguet received when he returned to Juventus Stadium to watch the Old Lady belt AS Roma 3-0 last weekend you would understand the status of this French legend. Trezeguet was in Italy named by the press "Treze goal'' for good reason. He can score goals from anywhere and is also deadly from set pieces.
No. 3 - John Terry, 33 - England, Chelsea, Nottingham Forest
Why? John Terry is known as Mr Chelsea. His name is synonymous with the club and he would be an ideal leader for Adelaide United. Former Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti referred to Terry as a Chelsea "symbol"during his first press conference in 2009. Terry is a defender.
No. 4 - Rio Ferdinand, 35 - England, Manchester United, West Ham
Why? The Man U central defender has a great ambassador for years. Ferdinand also has a plethora of brand business interests in restaurants, magazines, movies, TV and fashion which could also be exploited in Asia through his A-League connections - if it ever happens.
No. 5 - Frank Lampard, 35 - England, Chelsea, West Ham, Swansea
Why? Lampard is a majestic footballer and one of the icons of the English Premier League. He has all the true great characteristics of the British game which should be revered and never shamed by football snobs. He's tough, never says die and can score goals from anywhere near or inside the box.
Pirlo would be great. Trezegeut wow.
The others meh, I'd get kicks out of booing them.
Lampard would be a big pick up.
Regardless of your EPL club support the bloke would be massive in HAL regardless of who he played for as he achieved much more in his career than Heskey and Ono ever did
Agree the defenders should be avoided like the plague. Strikers/Midfielders only for Marquees
Piss off.
You're going by the name "The Plague" now? Very superhero villainish of you!
Never rated Frank.
Neither did my dad.... He bailed 'arry up about this a while back.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ctWS52IA_JY
I'd rather say Pirlo than ADP to be honest. Pirlo is a genius
Griff >>> Pirlo
Lets not get carried away Boz.
Pirlo would be flattered just to be compared to someone as good as Griffo
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