Membership details reveal battle lines blurred in Sydney A-League Derby
It is the game that divides a city but the battle lines between Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers territory is far more blurred than a geographic split through the middle of town. Detailed membership data of both clubs reveals the rivalry is far from an east v west battle but one that creates hot spots of split fans, particularly in the western suburbs.
No team has attracted support as quickly, passionately and parochially as the Wanderers but according to club data, not universally within their own heartland. Behind enemy lines remain thousands of card-carrying Sydney supporters who have only grown in numbers since the inclusion of the Wanderers in the A-League. More than 2300 of Sydney members live in the greater western Sydney region, whether that be in the south-west corridor or at the foot of the mountains. In an interesting trend, it is understood to represent a significant increase in Sky Blues ticket holders in the region of approximately 14 per cent.
The statistics reveal the tag of Sydney fans being inner-city latte sippers as a gross exaggeration with the CBD and eastern suburbs representing just nine per cent of their membership base - the smallest of all five of their catchment areas. While the Wanderers have a firm footing in the west, Sydney's base is far more sporadic. Their strongholds remain the St George and Sutherland regions and the inner west of the city which together account for half of their supporters.
"We are proud that Sydney FC represents the whole of this iconic city and I think this is evident in the areas we are represented," Sydney CEO Tony Pignata said. "We have a particularly strong membership base in the south of Sydney, including the major proportion of our Junior Blues members, which makes it a key area for us. However, we have also been able to maintain and increase our membership numbers in all other areas in Sydney and beyond, including the west of the city which is pleasing."
