Canberra A-League: More than the Mariners
The Central Coast Mariners started with 600 members in Season 1. Two years before the first game is played by the Canberra side, we've hit 602 Foundation Members.
We need more, we want more, but let's just take a moment to recognise what we've achieved in just 8 weeks or maybe less.
$4-5 million dollars locked in. A major Government (secure) investment, key investors from the Business community. Support from Ned Zelic, Carl Valeri, Caitlin Munoz and many more. Support from EVERY the Club in Canberra and the Region.
A W-League side Canberra United to lead the way. A Five year Business Plan completed.
We have someway to go still, but who would bet against us now?
With your belief in Canberra football and the Region we can romp it in.
2 comments:
"Two years before the first game is played by the Canberra side, we've hit 602 Foundation Members"
Isn't that being a bit previous?
All Ben Buckley has said was that he was impressed with the bid. And really, if a corporate animal like Ivan Slavich can't put together a slick presentation then the whole consortium becomes a laughing stock from the get-go. I've just sat and watched Sydney - supposedly the A-League's glamour side - huff and puff their way to a catatonically tedious win over a Perth Glory side who would struggle in non-league football in England in a two-thirds empty stadium. How is Canberra going to attract crowds to watch rubbish like this? Especially when for the $100 it will cost to take a family to watch the match at the Phillip enclosed oval (or wherever they end up playing because they can't get enough people to fill the Mal Maninga stand at Bruce Stadium)will comfortably get you a month's subscription to Foxtel where you can watch decent football from all over the world - or even the A-League, should you be mad enough.
I obviously wasn't party to Slavich's presentation, but I'm wondering how he addressed the widely held rumour that Canberra sports fans only support winning teams? Are all 602 foundation members going to support their franchise (and never forget that'e what it is - merely a license to operate granted at the whim of Frank Lowy- anyone who thinks this is a bona fide 'club' is mistaken) through week after week of potential drubbings? I doubt it.
Scott if the team comes in it will be in 2010. So the point is we already have 610..how many more before 2010?
As for Canberrans only supporting winning teams in Canberra, well the Raiders and Brumbies have survived despite many years of poor performance, and poor crowds, particularly the Raiders. So it is possible.
And that is the worth case scenario.
Why can't a Canberra team be successful and aim for something other than the bottom 3. WE've never had that in a previous football team in Canberra.
With the junior base, the growing awareness of the Socceroos and Matildas why a football team can't succeed in Canberra long into the future, I believe it can.
There is more money pouring into football than ever before, meaning the reliance on crowd figures may not be as vital in terms of finance as it once was.
And indeed the growing junior base over the next ten years will surely assist the increasing potential of a Canberra team not just to exist but to succeed.
Of course professional football clubs in any code in Australia rarely have an easy ride. Codes in all sports in Australia are constantly under-pressure with the exception of most AFL teams.
And while agree the Sydney game was poor, you should have seen Wellington that was worse:)
Melbourne and Central Coast lifted the standard this weekend.
Have you ever seen a poor Rugby League Union or AFL game? It happens.
The question I have for you Scott is do you want a team in Canberra? A football team for the future.
If the answer is yes,then this is the best chance you're ever going to get.
Should we not succeed, then you'll have to "enjoy" your Sydney/Perth games on telly as your best ever Aussie option. God forbid:)
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