It's not all about the A-League though mate, obviously the local competition is an important part of the growth of the sport but the figures of the A-League crowds aren't the be all and end all.
With Soccer it's different, I reckon you will find there a LOT more people who follow international leagues (mainly the EPL) and also the international competitions.
I'm out in the city most weekends and you see pubs packed with people watching games at all times of the morning. You don't see people staying up to there watch the ESL.
Just look at the ticket sales for the upcoming tours of some of some of the big teams that are coming out this year. Those sales have been strong right across the country- Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and even Adelaide sold out in hours.
The Socceroos are growing as a brand also you must admit that? They can now be spoken in the same breath as the Aussie Cricket team as a national icon, I'm not putting them on that level yet but 15 years ago people would have laughed at someone for even contemplating it.
The trick for the FFA is to continue to slowly convert the massive amount of Football fans who don't necessarily support the A-league to give it a crack.
Once again if you find my original post I said it was a 50 year process, not overnight. I am a massive League fan and I hope it always continue to thrive in Australia but it has already plateaued in terms of growth.
People keep talking about 'growing the game' they have been trying to do so since 1908 it's reached its peak and it is still a great product but it is what it is a game played by the East Coast of Australia, the north of England, a few pockets of NZ and PNG. Soccer is the world game, it is established in every corner of the globe and Australia is just playing catch up.
Happy to meet up in 50 years time and buy you a beer if I'm wrong.
