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NSL grand final rethink
March 23, 2004
THE Parramatta Power board today reversed their decision to play the National Soccer League grand final in Perth, with the April 4 match now set to go ahead at Parramatta Stadium.
The Power, in their last year as a club, will play the winner of Sunday's preliminary final between Perth Glory and Adelaide United.
It will be the first NSL grand final to be played in Sydney involving a Sydney team since 1993.
The decision was made by the Parramatta Power executive committee after meetings yesterday and this morning.
The club initially wanted the match played in Perth, with group chief executive Denis Fitzgerald citing financial concerns as a motivating factor.
Perth's Subiaco Oval would have attracted up to 40,000 fans while Parramatta Stadium may struggle to crack 10,000.
But the requested move irked club management, players, fans and sponsors and the board announced a change of heart this morning.
"The Parramatta Power executive committee has decided to reverse the earlier decision to move the grand final to Perth," said Fitzgerald.
"The Parramatta Power Soccer Club has received many calls and letters from soccer fans from all over Sydney as well as sponsors and of course the players and coaching staff."
The Australian Soccer Association has ratified the decision.
Parramatta, who have lost in excess of $10 million in their five-year existence, will not apply to be part of the new eight-team national competition due to start in July 2005.
AAP
March 23, 2004
THE Parramatta Power board today reversed their decision to play the National Soccer League grand final in Perth, with the April 4 match now set to go ahead at Parramatta Stadium.
The Power, in their last year as a club, will play the winner of Sunday's preliminary final between Perth Glory and Adelaide United.
It will be the first NSL grand final to be played in Sydney involving a Sydney team since 1993.
The decision was made by the Parramatta Power executive committee after meetings yesterday and this morning.
The club initially wanted the match played in Perth, with group chief executive Denis Fitzgerald citing financial concerns as a motivating factor.
Perth's Subiaco Oval would have attracted up to 40,000 fans while Parramatta Stadium may struggle to crack 10,000.
But the requested move irked club management, players, fans and sponsors and the board announced a change of heart this morning.
"The Parramatta Power executive committee has decided to reverse the earlier decision to move the grand final to Perth," said Fitzgerald.
"The Parramatta Power Soccer Club has received many calls and letters from soccer fans from all over Sydney as well as sponsors and of course the players and coaching staff."
The Australian Soccer Association has ratified the decision.
Parramatta, who have lost in excess of $10 million in their five-year existence, will not apply to be part of the new eight-team national competition due to start in July 2005.
AAP
