Whilst no decision has been formally made by the FFA on Gold Coast United, it appears that within 24 Hours Queensland will be reduced to the Brisbane Roar. This will ensure that the competition stays at 10 teams and there will be no need for a bye. Today it was announced that the Gillard Government is proving $8million in funding to allow the establishment of the team in Western Sydney. The Federal Government has announced $5million for grassroots football and support for the elite level, women's football will receive $1million and the final $3million will be given to Football NSW to redevelop the head-quaters at Valentine Park. The FFA will be funding the club after no financial backer was found. This is a lot of money for the government to put into one area of Australia.
This small amount of information raises many questions that seem to be glossed over by the media, most in the football world but screamed out by those outside of NSW. I don't think Clive Palmer was the best thing for Gold Coast and the A-League, but he was definitely right about the way that the FFA are running the game. For the FFA to come out and announce such a decision in the middle of the final series shows that they are more interested in their own affairs than the game. Instead of talking about the finals for the next few weeks, all the discussion will be about affairs off the field.
For the Government to make such a large funding announcement, this is something that would have been worked on by the FFA some time ago. I would hazard as guess as to say tat before the decision was made to terminate the licence of the Gold Coast that most of the planning and approval for the government funding into Western Sydney was already done. The sceptic in me wonders how much of this is for political gain by the Labour Party. But what will be the greater cost? If this team fails, the A-League has taken a massive step back as it will be the third time in a short period a club has failed. Even it it is a success, it will take a long time for it to pay back it's dues and if no financial backer was found to start with, I find it hard to see one jumping on board until the club is a success.
I have no problem with the FFA creating another side, what I object to is taking away a team that is established and only needs an owner to take over and replacing it with a team from scratch. Would it not have been better to locate an owner for the Gold Coast and at the same time work on developing two extra teams in the competition. Gold Coast has the playing roster, the youth, the stadium and the staff in place. All it needs is an owner with football sense to run it properly. It will be interesting to see what decision is formally announced about Gold Coast United, it will be more interesting to know why they made it. For the sake of Football in Australia I hope that every decision the FFA makes, works out best for the game, if instead it ends up failing then it is time that the powers at the top admit they have erred and step aside and allow change for the better to happen.
The way that the FFA is going though they will only turn away people from the game. They might attract more people in Western Sydney but at what cost? Any move they do should be a positive move, no one that polarises opinion and creates a negative debate.
Part 2:
The FFA has announced today that Gold Coast United has been kicked out of the A-League at the surprise to no-one. What is dumb founding is the reasoning and explanation behind the decision. CEO Ben Buckley and Chairman Frank Lowy have made it very clear that the Gold Coast was kicked out of the competition when it was stated:
"Today's decision to exit can be directly attributed to Gold Coast United Pty Ltd's lack of community engagement and it's inability to build a football culture around the club. We acknowledge the hard work and commitment over the past six weeks by Football Queensland, Gold Coast Football Association, the Gold Coast players and coach Mike Mulvey. The team showed great professionalism and pride in performance in the way the completed the season. FFA's mandate is to govern for the good for the game and this decision is the only responsible course to take in ensuring we have a sustainable Hyundai A-League"
This is a statement that obviously was written with contempt and no concept that it would be picked to pieces by anyone. How can the FFA seriously say on one hand that a team is axed due to this reasoning and then on the previous day it announces a new team for which no backing could be found and is only established due to government funds and the funding of the FFA. A board that clearly says it is "not a bloody bank." Add to this the fact that Ivan Slavic has been bidding for a Canberra and managed to raise an estimated $4million only to end up walking away due to the lack of interest by the FFA.
The FFA has tried to defend itself by saying it propped un NQ Fury for 12 months (before folding), Gold Coast United for a few months and Brisbane Roar for two years (Now owned by International Company). 2 of the 3 clubs involved were only funded whilst the FFA wound them down so this is a mute point. Brisbane Roar were at the top of the pack in the A-League and it just needed smart management. The same argument can be put tot he Gold Coast as well. The reason that the FFA give for kicking out the club were all down to the way that Clive Palmer ran the club. Once he was removed then surely with a new owner it could have started a new chapter and headed forward.
But no. The FFA has gone full tilt in it;s bid to get into Western Sydney. Everyone hopes the venture does well as another failure will put football back in Australia and do more damage then what has happened over the last few weeks. Western Sydney will only be a success though if the FFA can find an owner within a short frame and the community not only gets behind but stays behind it. Everyone love a new team in their area but Australians by nature love a winner and if the team struggles on the field and is not well run off the field it will wither and die and another football wasteland will be created. For me it is time that the FFA is cleaned out and fresh approach is applied to the game. Some of the smartest people in the game need to be attracted to the game who have the best interests of the game a heart as well as the foresight and ability to take it further.
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