Football Federation $11 mill in debt..but it's okay.

In the SMH this morning,finally, finally the FFA inform the football community what many realised.

We're in debt..up to $11mill..

but for the first time in Australia football I don't think it matters...


I'm more impressed that the FFA are starting to inform the football public about the state of the game and what is going on.

Now people can see why we couldn't appoint a coach, or release the technical report, financially irresponsible if we had appointed a coah..although what's $11mill to $15 mill between friends

And by friends we all know that at the moment it is the Howard Government with their bail out of $4mill per year...of course it's money for the Asia campaigns but in other businesses it would be seen as a bail out.

But we now have a plan.

We have girls and women in huge, successful numbers and surely this segment alone can attract a significant sponsor.

We have massive numbers in junior football, the A-League is growing, a women's league even a Youth league should attract sponsors to the World game.

Heck the Futsal National Championships should get TV Coverage or at least Sponsors.

Beckham is coming. An Australian side will get to play in a Pan-Pacific tournament for prize money, A-League sides into Asia, and more revenue and sponsorships from a huge increase in meaningful Socceroos games starting in Febuary.

The international element to our game is clearly being developed. In different ways. And it is this element that will add increasing dollars to our coffers. And it is this element that will add to our domestic packages on offer.

Smart moves FFA, finally a team to fulfill our international attraction.

Beckham v Sydney FC. 70,000 plus mainstream TV. The game to me is a waste of time as a football fan. But as someone wanting to see the game grow, Sydney FC get to play in front of 70000 people, how many more watch the A-League side on the telly, and all in the middle of a Kosmina inspired revival. Beautiful.

The sources and potential sources of revenue have never been so rich and clearly FFA CEO Ben Buckley understands what we have to offer the Business community of Australia like no other CEO football has ever had in this country.

Registration fees are up. Bad I know, but you can see the vision, the plan and the need for revenue to stabilise, invest and grow the game.

We've come through some very rocky times. We've survived the move and costs of the move into Asia...just.

Now we have to increase the revenue base from the $50 million to $60, $70 or even more.

The next four years are crucial, before the TV rights are up for grabs again.

The next TV deal could place the future of football beyond doubt in this country.

A few more Beckham-esque games, a pre-season tournament involving Liverpool, a World Cup qualification route more exciting than we've ever had.

This and increasing numbers watching Fox Sports could lift the next pay deal beyond our dreams.

Imagine a competition for TV rights. For Socceroos separate to the A-League. The Olyroos, Women and Youth all bundled into a separate package.

The potential for the revenue raising has never been so good.

And that, and getting the grassroots to A-League games, are the two biggest hurdles to ensuring the successful future of football in Australia.

$11 million in debt, no worries mate!