A-League team to Townsville?

[SP]

Townsville FC sounds good enough, its what it was called on FM2007

 

[perth sharkie]

Funny how the FFA are willing to subsidise and fart arse around with Perth for f**king ages but are very quick to drop the hammer on an NZ team.

Because Perth Glory have always been a successful club on and off the pitch until very recently. In the days of the NSL the Glory had by far the biggest crowds (averaging around 14,000 at the club's peak), and for a long time the Glory vs Wollongong Wolves Grand Final in 2000 held the record for the highest attendance for an Australian domestic football match (43,000). So the Glory have the potential to be successful again, and with new ownership the club are now self sufficient again and no longer being subsidised by the FFA.

In contrast, NZ has always been the basketcase of football in Australia. In the days of the NSL, the NZ Kingz lagged behind most of the league by a country mile, even next to clubs like Sydney United, Marconi, Northern Spirit, Melbourne Knights and Brisbane Stikers who averaged crowds of about 2,000, the Kingz looked bad (they regularly got less than 1,000 spectators). They were whipping boys for much of the NSL's history as well. The reincarnation of the Kingz, the NZ Knights haven't improved much either, and have been disappointing on and off the pitch. NZ has had more than enough time to get their sh*t together but frankly they can't. I think it is time for the FFA to let the North Queensland franchise in and give someone else a chance.

 

[Misanthrope]

I must say, I'm already more excited about the potential Townsville side than I ever was about New Zealand. I like that they've come out and made a statement about the style of football they intend to play. I certainly associate tropical heat with the kind of Brazilian flair that most football fans love to see. Would love to see the club get a chance, especially if a legend like Wynton Ruffer is involved.

 

[redunderthebed]

Funny how the FFA are willing to subsidise and fart arse around with Perth for f**king ages but are very quick to drop the hammer on an NZ team.

Absolutely its just this whole nationalism thing going on,perth is a market they want to capture and perth glory despite its recent trouble is a bankable brand over in WA.I hope they give NZ a good chance,anyway ill bet you anything if it falls on its arse it will be back 2008/09.

 

[redunderthebed]

Fluke of Wellington

JOSH ALSTON

14Mar07

A LAST-MINUTE bailout by a mysterious `white knight' could allow New Zealand to retain its A-League licence today.

Wellington's bid to take up the licence formerly held by Auckland was in tatters on Monday with New Zealand Soccer (NZS) chief executive Graham Seatter conceding `unless a white knight gallops along in the next day or two, it ain't going to happen'.

But an unnamed potential investor spent yesterday in talks with NZS and Seatter was hopeful the bid could be pushed through today.

Football Federation Australia (FFA) has given NZS until today to come up with $2 million to retain the licence.

"Today's gone pretty well, it's been a pretty positive day and we'll know more in the morning (today)," Seatter said.

"The investor wants to remain anonymous. We haven't even told anyone in New Zealand."

FFA spokesman Adam Mark was still hopeful yesterday New Zealand could find an investor to come up with the money today.

"We're still giving them every (chance) and we're still very much hoping to get (Wellington) over the line," he said.

The mystery investor threatened to derail Tropical Football Australia's (TFA) efforts to have the A-League licence moved to Townsville.

The licence has been in limbo for close to three months after FFA revoked the Auckland licence late last year.

Since then the Wellington bid has received numerous extensions before FFA delivered the final deadline of today early this week.

"The only thing that has been an issue for us has been the lack of an investor up front which we really needed," Seatter said.

"The FFA has been pretty clear what the financial level needed to be. We've been talking pretty quickly, the money mightn't come in, there's a little more to be done."

TFA project director James Gage remained confident the Townsville bid would be successful after revealing it had the money, the coach and the sponsors to field a competitive team in 2007/08.

"Should we be successful we will be able to notify the public of some of our backers," Gage said.

"Some will be major sponsors and some . . . wish to be unnamed."

Dairy Farmers Stadium has been confirmed as the venue for A-League matches should Townsville take the licence from New Zealand.

And Gage said he could have the money in the bank for the licence in as little as 24 hours.

"We need to have our (financial) information to (FFA) by Thursday . . . we have the money," he said.

Well ill be damned if wellington get the licence i shall throw a sexy party. :lol:

 

[SP]

if theres gonna be a sh*tload of hot chicks then ill be there

 

[redunderthebed]

if theres gonna be a sh*tload of hot chicks then ill be there

and booze. :lol: But yes ill be very happy if wellington get in.

 

[Misanthrope]

Absolutely its just this whole nationalism thing going on

It's the A-League. In case you weren't aware, the 'A' stands for Australian. While I don't mind having a New Zealand side in the competition - it is by no means a right. If the A-League decides to boot them out in favour of Townsville, they have no one to blame but themselves.

 

[douglasallen91]

I must say, I'm already more excited about the potential Townsville side than I ever was about New Zealand. I like that they've come out and made a statement about the style of football they intend to play. I certainly associate tropical heat with the kind of Brazilian flair that most football fans love to see. Would love to see the club get a chance, especially if a legend like Wynton Ruffer is involved.

when wynton was with the kingz or was it early knights he promised brazilians as well, to no avail

 

[Dr Crane]

when wynton was with the kingz or was it early knights he promised brazilians as well, to no avail

They're still at my place

 

[Misanthrope]

To be fair to Wynton, getting people to move to New Zealand is a hard sell. Who wants to relocate to a second world country?

 

[Dr Crane]

To be fair to Wynton, getting people to move to New Zealand is a hard sell. Who wants to relocate to a second world country?

Says someone bound for England

 

[redunderthebed]

[FONT=Arial,Helvetica]Wellington, Townsville eye A-League licence
By FRED WOODCOCK - The Dominion Post | Thursday, 15 March 2007

Wellington will go head to head with Townsville for the eighth A-League football franchise licence after all, with a decision from Football Federation Australia expected today.

The Wellington consortium and New Zealand Soccer made a last-ditch attempt yesterday to come up with the minimum $1.1 million "cash in the bank" FFA requires.

NZS put out a statement last night saying it had met the financial criteria and had submitted a final proposal to FFA.

The Dominion Post understands the Wellington group - headed by John Dow and Ian Wells - and NZS top brass had a successful day meeting investors in Wellington and have secured at least $1.1 million cash, but possibly more, in the bank.

The national body had been told by FFA that a decision would be made today and though confident they were in a position to sign a participation agreement with FFA, chief executive Graham Seatter was wary that they were now in competition with Townsville.

"We realise this is a two-horse race now and that the licence isn't ours exclusively.

"After a lot of hard work we believe we have made a strong submission and now it is up to the FFA to make a call tomorrow."

Townsville's Tropical Football had moved quickly to manoeuvre itself into position and was confident yesterday after revealing it had the money, the coach (New Zealand's greatest player, Wynton Rufer) and sponsors to be competitive next season.

"Should we be successful we will be able to notify the public of some of our backers," Townsville head James Gage told the Townsville Bulletin while confirming they could have the cash in the bank within 24 hours.

"We need to have our (financial) information to (FFA) by Thursday ... We have the money."

With both camps confident they had met the financial requirements, it could come down to whether FFA wants a New Zealand team in the A-League or not.[/FONT]

Dont be stupid FFA.

Its noone's right to be in the a-league CW bush,but to chuck out NZ team in favour of a Australian team because there Australian is short-sighted and narrow minded.

 

[SP]

please townsville

stuff the little oceanians

 

[Misanthrope]

Its noone's right to be in the a-league CW bush,but to chuck out NZ team in favour of a Australian team because there Australian is short-sighted and narrow minded.

How is it short sighted? What benefit does improving the quality of football in New Zealand bring Australian football? An Australian team in place of the Knights would mean more first team football for more Australian footballers and mean one more city in Australia that could contribute to the A-League's growing fan base.

New Zealand bring one thing to the table - a population. Auckland has the population to produce very good crowds. The sad fact, though, is that Kiwis rarely turn out in numbers for anything. The Warriors have ordinary crowds, and the Knights have abysmal crowds.

Will Townsville do better? Time will tell - but I'd rather have an underperforming Australian side with Australian juniors and promoting the game in Australia than an underperforming New Zealand side with New Zealand juniors promoting the game in a country we no longer have any footballing ties with.

 

[bender]

How is it short sighted? What benefit does improving the quality of football in New Zealand bring Australian football? An Australian team in place of the Knights would mean more first team football for more Australian footballers and mean one more city in Australia that could contribute to the A-League's growing fan base.

New Zealand bring one thing to the table - a population. Auckland has the population to produce very good crowds. The sad fact, though, is that Kiwis rarely turn out in numbers for anything. The Warriors have ordinary crowds, and the Knights have abysmal crowds.

Will Townsville do better? Time will tell - but I'd rather have an underperforming Australian side with Australian juniors and promoting the game in Australia than an underperforming New Zealand side with New Zealand juniors promoting the game in a country we no longer have any footballing ties with.

Townsville are a funny choice though. Unable to afford a team in the local state league which is semi pro level, really, for as long as i can remember. Some natural talent, but really, not on the same level as Brisbane, a city who in itself struggle to provide the juniors to compete at national level on a regular basis. Yet somehow they are going to provide the support for a full national league side. Possible yes, but not the guaranteed success story that seems to be accepted. Actually now i think about it, they should have a chance (irrespective of the Kiwis).

 

[Mr Angry]

How so?

I am sure it is true, just seems very wrong.

How can we and NZ be in different comps?

No other world body in sport or politics or finance would have that.

I mean geographically we are not in Asia.

 

[Dr Crane]

I am sure it is true, just seems very wrong.

How can we and NZ be in different comps?

No other world body in sport or politics or finance would have that.

I mean geographically we are not in Asia.

Blame FIFA.

 

[redunderthebed]

Blame FIFA.

No no no blame the fact we got shoved in Oceania in the first place which stunted our growth.We are too big to be in Oceania NZ isnt,i think with the current qualification system in place Oceania might move forward but i doubt it.

I believe that they should be incorporated into concacaf or Asia whichever the respective nations choose and wrap up Oceania there was two big fish in the sea and no competition and no help from FIFA.

Us being in Asia is awesome.

We have a chance to play in a world class club comp.
We have a chance (and are going to) play in the Asia cup which has more viewers than the european championships.
That isnt even starting on opportunities of youth of both sexes and futsal and oh a proper qualification for the olympics.

We are going to get a proper run not a walkover on all levels.

You dont get that in Oceania.

Oh yes i want to go back to beating america samoa 26-0.

Ill take taking on Japan,Saudi Arabia,South Korea and Iran at the Asia Cup thanks.

Or maybe the world champion at under-17 ladies level north korea.

We are going to become a world power in football at all levels in 20 years time mark my words.

 

[Red Bear]

Hope NZ get it.

Going off reports from someone who was in townsville during the world cup, could hardly find a pub with the soccer on. "we show the league here, and that's how its going to stay" was the attitude. Insuler area.

Give it to NZ and if not them Wollongong is an untapped market really, after the failure that was the wolves and well put together side that cut any of the ethnic rivalry bullsh*t associated with the local clubs would be IMO a sucess