Carlton Supporters Club

Around The Grounds => The Sports Desk => Topic started by: Thryleon on December 13, 2018, 01:02:44 pm

Title: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: Thryleon on December 13, 2018, 01:02:44 pm
Hi Guys

This is me having a rant about the FFA and it's new expansion.

The decision to overlook the Oceania team of the century, and still most successful Australian Football club at the highest level in order to "set up shop" in Wyndham is akin to the AFL's glorious decision to setup the Gold Coast Suns.

At least the AFL didnt disregard a big club in that process.

Its all very anti Ethnic, even though Melbourne Victory have used the Scottish national anthem as their theme song, which says a little bit about the state of play of things in this nation. 

Instead of picking a club that was established, has junior and senior setup for both boys and girls of all ages, and has its own training facilities, and home ground ready to go, they have gone with a bid that aims to build its own stadium and establish a green field club.

I want my sport back.  Rant over. >:(
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: LP on December 13, 2018, 02:00:17 pm
It's interesting Thry, I reckon the Western District bid was the outlier, but it's the one bid that brings new money.
The other bids seem to be about moving money around that is really money already in the system, no or less new money.

You also want to be suspicious of government involvement, it's no different to other clubs kiboshing Princes Park developments before launching their own. This link to Kardinia Park should be a bit of a tell, they've got an expensive AFL boutique venue paid for by the State that is empty 85% of the available time! Yet apparently Kardinia and the Dawks Dingling Folly(Located above the new train loop! ;) ) are better value than Carlton developing it's AFL, AFLW and VWFL and VFL headquarters.

Where will this new boutique stadium go, is it a coincidence some massive Asian investors are buying up land in the Western District? If some of those areas get re-zoned to build a stadium, I wouldn't want to be living out that way and driving to work 20 years from now. I'm pegging a location falls above the proposed rail loop! ;)

The punters in the SE must be spitting chips, it's growing 200% faster than the West, but the West isn't where Lindsay Fox built his airport, or where Andrews favors the new port. The opposition argument is that the locations are not justified due to a lack of demand, so make some seem to be the answer, an artificial island port for an artificial demand!

I don't know enough about the Sydney FFA bids to comment, but I bet there are links with other NRL venues as unused or owned!
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: Thryleon on December 13, 2018, 03:15:59 pm
It's interesting Thry, I reckon the Western District bid was the outlier, but it's the one bid that brings new money.
The other bids seem to be about moving money around that is really money already in the system, no or less new money.

You also want to be suspicious of government involvement, it's no different to other clubs kiboshing Princes Park developments before launching their own. This link to Kardinia Park should be a bit of a tell, they've got an expensive AFL boutique venue paid for by the State that is empty 85% of the available time! Yet apparently Kardinia and the Dawks Dingling Folly(Located above the new train loop! ;) ) are better value than Carlton developing it's AFL, AFLW and VWFL and VFL headquarters.

Where will this new boutique stadium go, is it a coincidence some massive Asian investors are buying up land in the Western District? If some of those areas get re-zoned to build a stadium, I wouldn't want to be living out that way and driving to work 20 years from now. I'm pegging a location falls above the proposed rail loop! ;)

The punters in the SE must be spitting chips, it's growing 200% faster than the West, but the West isn't where Lindsay Fox built his airport, or where Andrews favors the new port. The opposition argument is that the locations are not justified due to a lack of demand, so make some seem to be the answer, an artificial island port for an artificial demand!

I don't know enough about the Sydney FFA bids to comment, but I bet there are links with other NRL venues as unused or owned!

I don't doubt it LP.

Its the same proposition.

They have gone for growth corridors.

Easiest way to get new fans in is to build in new growth areas.  Get the kids on board and the rest will take care of itself.

Its crap.


Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: Professer E on December 13, 2018, 04:15:20 pm
Soccer's biggest problem in this country are the group of suits sitting in an office in Sydney.

BTW, how the  ^%? can a private consortium build a stadium and the requisite infrastructure... government is involved somewhere.
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: madbluboy on January 22, 2019, 09:22:49 am
Hi Guys

This is me having a rant about the FFA and it's new expansion.

The decision to overlook the Oceania team of the century, and still most successful Australian Football club at the highest level in order to "set up shop" in Wyndham is akin to the AFL's glorious decision to setup the Gold Coast Suns.

At least the AFL didnt disregard a big club in that process.

Its all very anti Ethnic, even though Melbourne Victory have used the Scottish national anthem as their theme song, which says a little bit about the state of play of things in this nation. 

Instead of picking a club that was established, has junior and senior setup for both boys and girls of all ages, and has its own training facilities, and home ground ready to go, they have gone with a bid that aims to build its own stadium and establish a green field club.

I want my sport back.  Rant over. >:(

Really they should have went with Dandenong, look at the map of Melbourne and where the population is.
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: Thryleon on January 22, 2019, 09:33:13 am
Really they should have went with Dandenong, look at the map of Melbourne and where the population is.

FFA have a "Croatian Mafia" running the place.

Team 11 and the Wyndham consortium were both run by a couple of families linked to Melbourne Knights (Old Melbourne Croatia).

Its funny, some of the die hards I know wont jump ship, but they are simply picking growth corridors to setup expansion clubs.

They don't want old football.
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: madbluboy on January 22, 2019, 09:38:21 am
South Melbourne should have been brought in instead of Heart/City who have no identity. I only go for them because I can't stand the Victory and their supporters chanting with pommy accents.
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: cookie2 on January 22, 2019, 10:08:18 am
South Melbourne should have been brought in instead of Heart/City who have no identity. I only go for them because I can't stand the Victory and their supporters chanting with pommy accents.

Any particular one - there are many?
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: madbluboy on January 22, 2019, 10:28:25 am
Any particular one - there are many?

The Kylie minogue one.
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: cookie2 on January 22, 2019, 10:29:42 am
The Kylie minogue one.

Does she barrack for Victory?
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: DJC on January 22, 2019, 01:06:34 pm
The Kylie minogue one.

 :))
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: madbluboy on December 17, 2022, 09:07:01 pm
Victory supporters attacked the City keeper. Game called off.
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: DJC on December 18, 2022, 10:57:26 pm
Victory supporters attacked the City keeper. Game called off.

A little more to it than that.

Supporters from both teams were going to stage a walkout in protest at Football Australia's decision to sell the next three grand finals to Sydney.  Supporters did that at Mariners and Newcastle games and Sydney FC supporters boycotted the Mariners game.

However, the protest at the Victory-City game didn't go according to plan with unruly behaviour from the start.  Reading between the lines, it seems that some folk used the protest as an opportunity to indulge in anti-social, unlawful and violent behaviour; "cruisin' for a bruisin'" as we used to say.

Popular sports in Australia are notable for remarkably good crowd behaviour.  Throwing flares, invading the pitch and assaulting/injuring players and officials is abhorrent and must be stamped out.
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: Thryleon on December 18, 2022, 10:59:34 pm
Victory supporters attacked the City keeper. Game called off.
so much for getting rid of the ethnics.  Everything old is new again.

Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: LP on December 18, 2022, 11:07:57 pm
Popular sports in Australia are notable for remarkably good crowd behaviour.  Throwing flares, invading the pitch and assaulting/injuring players and officials is abhorrent and must be stamped out.
Yep, that is bullcrap behaviour that has gone on too long.

Rubber bullets and tazers from now on, but only after a year or two playing without crowds to let them all cool off.

I'd also ban anyone U18 from attending games, to free up authorities to be a bit more authoritarian. I'm thinking dogs, truncheons, riot shields and the like from the good old days of the EPL!

I think either the States or the Feds should fine the FA, and I mean seriously fine them 7 or 8 figures to force them to lift their game! I write that because the problem isn't just caused by the fans, it's almost encouraged by the authorities. The bosses grin like idiots when someone asks them formally about flares or venue damage, they take it as a joke question.

The same spoilt brat fans going to or leaving games destroy station platforms, buses and trains, they cost the public more than the sport is earning locally.
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: Thryleon on December 19, 2022, 08:35:24 am
Yep, that is bullcrap behaviour that has gone on too long.

Rubber bullets and tazers from now on, but only after a year or two playing without crowds to let them all cool off.

I'd also ban anyone U18 from attending games, to free up authorities to be a bit more authoritarian. I'm thinking dogs, truncheons, riot shields and the like from the good old days of the EPL!

I think either the States or the Feds should fine the FA, and I mean seriously fine them 7 or 8 figures to force them to lift their game! I write that because the problem isn't just caused by the fans, it's almost encouraged by the authorities. The bosses grin like idiots when someone asks them formally about flares or venue damage, they take it as a joke question.

The same spoilt brat fans going to or leaving games destroy station platforms, buses and trains, they cost the public more than the sport is earning locally.

Gone on too long?

How?

Ive seen more actual fisticuffs at the AFL than I have at the soccer, admittedly havent attend a soccer game in a long time and the last few I have were exhibitions for visiting teams from overseas.
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: Professer E on December 19, 2022, 10:25:57 am
Sorry, but the exhibited behaviour is indefensible at all levels and comparing other sports to what happened isn't a sound argument.  What's with these bloody flares anyways?  Never seen one of those at the AFL.  Fancy blaming a player for what happened by pinging one back!?! There's an elephant in the room that won't be addressed - there's a section of these supporter bases that just doesn't get it. Never have, never will.   It lead to clubs getting shut down in the past and I wonder if Victory, among others, is being seriously looked at.
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: Gointocarlton on December 19, 2022, 10:32:17 am
Sorry, but the exhibited behaviour is indefensible at all levels and comparing other sports to what happened isn't a sound argument.  What's with these bloody flares anyways?  Never seen one of those at the AFL.  Fancy blaming a player for what happened by pinging one back!?! There's an elephant in the room that won't be addressed - there's a section of these supporter bases that just doesn't get it. Never have, never will.   It lead to clubs getting shut down in the past and I wonder if Victory, among others, is being seriously looked at.
You're right the behaviour was indefensible on every level but I will say the keeper should not have tossed the flare back into the crowd, that was pure stupidity on his part and should be sanctioned.
The players should all agree on a new rule that from now on, first sign of a flare and they run off the ground and the game is cancelled and made null and void (ie scores cancelled as the crowd could use it to an advantage). I would then reschedule the game with no crowd (competing teams to foot the bill).
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: DJC on December 19, 2022, 11:06:17 am
You're right the behaviour was indefensible on every level but I will say the keeper should not have tossed the flare back into the crowd, that was pure stupidity on his part and should be sanctioned.
The players should all agree on a new rule that from now on, first sign of a flare and they run off the ground and the game is cancelled and made null and void (ie scores cancelled as the crowd could use it to an advantage). I would then reschedule the game with no crowd (competing teams to foot the bill).

Tossing the flare into the crowd was foolish and dangerous.  Players should have strict instructions on what to do when flares are thrown onto the ground and tossing them back shouldn't be an option.  Leaving the field when a flare is set off may encourage the nutters to deliberately sabotage games but your suggestion is worth a try G2C.

Listening to the wireless this morning was enlightening.  Apparently, after many supporters had left, those remaining were families with young children who stayed in the hope that the game would re-commence.  It's not fair to those young soccer fans that the airheads with axes to grind spoil the game and, potentially, the competition, for them.

Surely flares can be detected during the entry security checks and action taken against the carriers.  It's an offence to discharge a distress flare inappropriately and, if it's not already, it should be an offence to be in possession of a distress flare other than for its intended purpose.  One of the problems is that distress flares have an expiry date and there's not mechanism for returning expired flares.  That means that there is an ever-increasing quantity of flares and it's inevitable that some will end up in the wrong hands.
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: LP on December 19, 2022, 12:13:02 pm
Listening to the wireless this morning was enlightening.  Apparently, after many supporters had left, those remaining were families with young children who stayed in the hope that the game would re-commence.  It's not fair to those young soccer fans that the airheads with axes to grind spoil the game and, potentially, the competition, for them.
I agree, some of the kids might have been at their first ever game, some might have been getting an early Christmas present as a treat, and those dumb fecks rioting in the crowd stuffed it up for the kids!

in my opinion even more reason to throw the book at the rioters, and yes they were rioters plain and simple!
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: Thryleon on December 19, 2022, 12:14:20 pm
Sorry, but the exhibited behaviour is indefensible at all levels and comparing other sports to what happened isn't a sound argument.  What's with these bloody flares anyways?  Never seen one of those at the AFL.  Fancy blaming a player for what happened by pinging one back!?! There's an elephant in the room that won't be addressed - there's a section of these supporter bases that just doesn't get it. Never have, never will.   It lead to clubs getting shut down in the past and I wonder if Victory, among others, is being seriously looked at.

Collingwood vs Carlton Millenium match was the last time I saw a Flare at an AFL game.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-08-22/tempers-flare-at-the-mcg-after-collingwood-and-carlton-game/101356288

That's a recent fight between fans, that was hidden under the table.

Not deflecting anything, but flares at the soccer is a massive cultural icon globally and only in Australia does it seem to be a huge problem. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nf8Vz7Kf0hE

People are idiots everywhere.  Only the soccer gets focussed on here in this fashion.  Regarding it going on too long...  That was an assertion LP claimed like it happens frequently or all the time.  The game was homogenised in 2004 and its ended up exactly where it started.
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: LP on December 19, 2022, 12:17:52 pm
@Thryleon‍ you keep posting pseudo justifications because there was some dickhead somewhere else who did similar sometime ago!

If FA fans stop plastering over the bad behaviour and start to call it out, it might be a good start to stomping it out!
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: LP on December 19, 2022, 12:23:41 pm
(https://media.bleacherreport.com/w_800,h_533,c_fill/br-img-images/002/468/537/PA-17427097_crop_north.jpg)
The good old Ultra Extremists, not an issue.

PS: For those who do not follow, they were protesting with flares after their club was banned / fined because of the racist behaviour of the same fans at earlier games! Yeah, a happy smiley culture! ::) 
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: Professer E on December 19, 2022, 12:25:37 pm
One flare in 22 years, yep that's a massive problem compared to flares on what, a weekly basis?

Every boat in Victoria is supposed to carry flares as part of safety equipment, they're too easy to obtain and the penalties for incorrect use too light.  You can't legislate human stupidity.
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: LP on December 19, 2022, 12:29:29 pm
One flare in 22 years, yep that's a massive problem compared to flares on what, a weekly basis?

Every boat in Victoria is supposed to carry flares as part of safety equipment, they're too easy to obtain and the penalties for incorrect use too light.  You can't legislate human stupidity.
Personally, I think the flares are only the excuse, to me that rioting crew on the video looked like the were cruising for a fight. They weren't there for football, they were there to cause trouble.
 
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: northernblue on December 19, 2022, 01:57:20 pm
The mechanism for disposal of out of date flares is the local coast guard, or at least was when I got my boating license up there.
They are then supposed to be used for training and demonstration purposes.
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: kruddler on December 19, 2022, 02:39:17 pm
re flares...
You gotta be careful in what you say to crowds. If you say 'no flares allowed', its like a red rag to a bull, "oh, i should go get some flares, they can't tell me what to do!"

This is exactly what happened at the dutch F1 grand prix. The dutch wanted to bring all their orange flares to show national pride for reigning (and soon to be back to back) world champion. They were warned not to bring flares as it is a safety hazard (smoke goes on the track and drivers can't see!) but there ended up being more flares there than in the italian and german grand prixs during Schumachers successful stint at Ferrari.

So sure, come down hard on them and try and stamp it out, just be careful in HOW and WHAT you tell them, as its likely to exacerbate the situation rather than solve it.
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: DJC on December 19, 2022, 02:52:50 pm
Collingwood vs Carlton Millenium match was the last time I saw a Flare at an AFL game.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-08-22/tempers-flare-at-the-mcg-after-collingwood-and-carlton-game/101356288

That's a recent fight between fans, that was hidden under the table.

Not deflecting anything, but flares at the soccer is a massive cultural icon globally and only in Australia does it seem to be a huge problem. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nf8Vz7Kf0hE

People are idiots everywhere.  Only the soccer gets focussed on here in this fashion.  Regarding it going on too long...  That was an assertion LP claimed like it happens frequently or all the time.  The game was homogenised in 2004 and its ended up exactly where it started.

Hidden under the table? That fracas got the coverage it deserved considering it involved a couple of tossers among a crowd of 80,000 generally well-behaved and very passionate supporters.  The disgraceful scenes at the Melbourne derby involved 100s of spectators from a crowd of probably well south of 10,000. 

Throwing flares is probably the most inconsequential poor behaviour.  Invading the pitch, demolishing barriers, attempting to destroy the goals, assaulting a player, referee and cameraman and generally spoiling the game for legitimate fans is far worse.
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: Professer E on December 19, 2022, 03:33:03 pm
Yep, flares are a minor irritation c.f. invading the playing field and assaulting a player and officials. That's crossing a line that beggars belief.

Last time I was really shocked at crowd behaviour was the day the crowd wanted to take on Darren Milburn at PP...the atmosphere was like a dry field on a fire ban day while lightning cracked overhead.
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: madbluboy on December 19, 2022, 04:35:32 pm
Yep, flares are a minor irritation c.f. invading the playing field and assaulting a player and officials. That's crossing a line that beggars belief.

Last time I was really shocked at crowd behaviour was the day the crowd wanted to take on Darren Milburn at PP...the atmosphere was like a dry field on a fire ban day while lightning cracked overhead.

I'd imagine if he threw a flare into the social club a few would have jumped the fence.
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: LP on December 19, 2022, 04:37:04 pm
You gotta be careful in what you say to crowds. If you say 'no flares allowed', its like a red rag to a bull, "oh, i should go get some flares, they can't tell me what to do!"
This only happens because authorities do not take it seriously.

I don't see the flares as a technical issue, but they are clearly more of a symbol, an anti-social war cry, stamp it out.

They stopped the UK crowds throwing darts, it's pretty hard to believe the authorities couldn't stop the flares if they wanted to!

Anyway, if they were smart they'd use the socials to turn it into a dumbar5e behaviour stigma, something like, have a couple of girls on an Ad asserting only blokes with little weaners play with flares!

We all know it's true anyway, "Big flare little weaner!"
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: Thryleon on December 19, 2022, 04:55:37 pm
One flare in 22 years, yep that's a massive problem compared to flares on what, a weekly basis?

Every boat in Victoria is supposed to carry flares as part of safety equipment, they're too easy to obtain and the penalties for incorrect use too light.  You can't legislate human stupidity.

Flares on a weekly basis where?

The soccer doesnt have flares since 2004.  Guess how many years that is?  

I think you are misinterpreting an institutional issue (3 flares in 2 weeks at 2 seperate soccer events) compared to what happens abroad.

Personally, id much rather we go back to the soccer of that time, when the game was for the people who actually cared about it, rather than trying to cater for a crowd of people who dont care about it, only for it to be branded with the same old arguments irrespective of what FFA does to homogenise the game.

Im happy that they tear themselves to shreds.  Death to the A league.
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: northernblue on December 19, 2022, 05:28:52 pm
Flares on a weekly basis where?

The soccer doesnt have flares since 2004.  Guess how many years that is?  

I think you are misinterpreting an institutional issue (3 flares in 2 weeks at 2 seperate soccer events) compared to what happens abroad.

Personally, id much rather we go back to the soccer of that time, when the game was for the people who actually cared about it, rather than trying to cater for a crowd of people who dont care about it, only for it to be branded with the same old arguments irrespective of what FFA does to homogenise the game.

Im happy that they tear themselves to shreds.  Death to the A league.


Are you sure of your claim about the regularity of flares at soccer in Australia ?
You mentioned earlier that you don’t attend, nor do I, nor am I interested in the sport but my perception is that is happening multiple times a season… maybe I’m incorrect 🤷🏼‍♂️
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: Gointocarlton on December 19, 2022, 05:44:21 pm
Are you sure of your claim about the regularity of flares at soccer in Australia ?
You mentioned earlier that you don’t attend, nor do I, nor am I interested in the sport but my perception is that is happening multiple times a season… maybe I’m incorrect 🤷🏼‍♂️
Its nonsense to think it's not a regular occurrence at A League games, it is. This has nothing to do with Aussie Rules vs Soccer in my view, it's simply behaviour standards at sporting events and the A League crowds, albeit a small group of fanatical and troublesome fans, constantly find new ways to screw their sport over and bring it to new lows here in Australia. I'm not a fan of soccer but I love sport and I find their behaviour on the weekend disgusting more so in support of the die hard fans of the game. Its them I feel for at this time. I have also stated that the MC Keeper also has a lot to answer for in this. The authorities have to go hard at these kents to stamp it out once and for all. I am waiting for the conspiracy theorists to come and say these are hired guns by the AFL to help bring down the A League. That would be e great yarn.
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: Thryleon on December 19, 2022, 06:05:01 pm
Are you sure of your claim about the regularity of flares at soccer in Australia ?
You mentioned earlier that you don’t attend, nor do I, nor am I interested in the sport but my perception is that is happening multiple times a season… maybe I’m incorrect 🤷🏼‍♂️
actually im not i haven't been a watcher of soccer since 2004 when my team was ousted from the national top flight. 

I actually hope soccer fails and on the world stage find watching Australia a very ambivalent experience thabks to football federation Australia turning their backs on the heart and soul of the sport and going with a MacDonald's version instead.

The fact that the MacDonald's version is much the same I find hilarious.

The lack of posting in this topic means its unlikely these events are frequent
 
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: DJC on December 19, 2022, 07:00:35 pm
The lack of posting in this topic means its unlikely these events are frequent

I think that lack of posting in this topic is because;
1. there’s not a lot of interest, and
2. poor crowd behaviour (among some teams’ supporters) is commonplace.
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: spf on December 19, 2022, 07:30:18 pm
I just don't care about Soccer. Played it at school a few times, but really I don't watch it or care about it. Who won the world cup? I am not sure who was playing.
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: kruddler on December 19, 2022, 09:27:35 pm
actually im not i haven't been a watcher of soccer since 2004 when my team was ousted from the national top flight. 

I actually hope soccer fails and on the world stage find watching Australia a very ambivalent experience thabks to football federation Australia turning their backs on the heart and soul of the sport and going with a MacDonald's version instead.

The fact that the MacDonald's version is much the same I find hilarious.

The lack of posting in this topic means its unlikely these events are frequent
 
I don't think i have ever watched a full game of soccer that is not apart of the World Cup.....and even then, i can probably count those on my fingers, without the need to use my toes.

So, please elaborate on this variation you speak of between FFA and international stuff?

Are the rules not the same?
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: kruddler on December 19, 2022, 09:29:52 pm
I think that lack of posting in this topic is because;
1. there’s not a lot of interest, and
2. poor crowd behaviour (among some teams’ supporters) is commonplace.
If you can get a Port Adelaide vs Collingwood match to be well behaved on a regular basis, i'm not sure why you can't get 2 soccer teams, playing in the same town no less, to get along and behave like the upright homo-sapiens they are (supposedly) representing.
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: Thryleon on December 19, 2022, 11:03:07 pm
I don't think i have ever watched a full game of soccer that is not apart of the World Cup.....and even then, i can probably count those on my fingers, without the need to use my toes.

So, please elaborate on this variation you speak of between FFA and international stuff?

Are the rules not the same?
the rules are the same.  The sport is the same the clubs in the top flight are not.

Im a south Melbourne fan.  Have been my whole life. When FFA disbanded the NSL clubs were invited for an A league licence.

They had already made up their mind about which clubs they wanted and didn't want in the top flight.

So pretend for a moment, instead of expanding the vfl, the afl disbanded the vfl, decided to restrict the offers to only a couple of clubs from each city, and irrespective of what offer Carlton put forward, a different flavour of the Melbourne demons are going to get one license.  At first they only take the one Melbourne club and all of us are frozen out, Carlton, Collingwood essendon and Geelong all out irrespective of what happens you're not getting in.

Time comes to expand the comp, and the process for applying is open to all parties its not, they bring in a hawthorn equivalent.  Then they open up to a 3rd club again, and instead of opening up the comp in earnest they go with the Werribee tigers instead.

In the meantime Carlton who were the most successful club, have been stuck in the vfl playing against the North Ballarat roosters. And Port Melbourne boroughs instead.

Oh and the A league was supposed to have a FIFA mandated second division with promotion relegation but they've strung this out a lot further down the road to ensure if and when the clubs actually get their chance to climb back up to the top flight they do so having lost an entire generation of fans, and the previous income streams that were associated with being an iconic club.  They'll get the chance one day, but by the time that rolls around they'll be the equivalent of Carlton post salary cap rorting, and I wonder where we would be today without our history, the pratts, chris Judd, and the fact that we were only stuck in football purgatory for about 8 years, and due to mismanagement found ourselves right back there 4 years later.

South Melbourne soccer club hasn't been involved in the comp since 2004.  We are almost 20 years gone.  What would that have done to Carlton? 

Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: kruddler on December 20, 2022, 04:19:50 pm
the rules are the same.  The sport is the same the clubs in the top flight are not.

Im a south Melbourne fan.  Have been my whole life. When FFA disbanded the NSL clubs were invited for an A league licence.

They had already made up their mind about which clubs they wanted and didn't want in the top flight.

So pretend for a moment, instead of expanding the vfl, the afl disbanded the vfl, decided to restrict the offers to only a couple of clubs from each city, and irrespective of what offer Carlton put forward, a different flavour of the Melbourne demons are going to get one license.  At first they only take the one Melbourne club and all of us are frozen out, Carlton, Collingwood essendon and Geelong all out irrespective of what happens you're not getting in.

Time comes to expand the comp, and the process for applying is open to all parties its not, they bring in a hawthorn equivalent.  Then they open up to a 3rd club again, and instead of opening up the comp in earnest they go with the Werribee tigers instead.

In the meantime Carlton who were the most successful club, have been stuck in the vfl playing against the North Ballarat roosters. And Port Melbourne boroughs instead.

Oh and the A league was supposed to have a FIFA mandated second division with promotion relegation but they've strung this out a lot further down the road to ensure if and when the clubs actually get their chance to climb back up to the top flight they do so having lost an entire generation of fans, and the previous income streams that were associated with being an iconic club.  They'll get the chance one day, but by the time that rolls around they'll be the equivalent of Carlton post salary cap rorting, and I wonder where we would be today without our history, the pratts, chris Judd, and the fact that we were only stuck in football purgatory for about 8 years, and due to mismanagement found ourselves right back there 4 years later.

South Melbourne soccer club hasn't been involved in the comp since 2004.  We are almost 20 years gone.  What would that have done to Carlton? 


OK, thanks for explaining.

You writing that triggered something in the back of my brain which may or may not be true.
Is it possible that the reason South Melbourne were not invited back because there was a lot of trouble with those fans?
Were they the black sheep of the group (The Port Bogan equivalents - or even Adelaide fans when they noticed a victorian license plate in the car park so they spat all over it....only to later realise it was their new coach - soon to be dual premiership winning coach - Malcolm Blight!)

I may be thinking of something else, but for some reason my brain is telling me you were not invited back because you were not welcome back because of the grief you brought.
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: madbluboy on December 20, 2022, 04:49:50 pm
It's because they were ethnic.

They were forced to chang their name from Hellas to Lakers and also banned Greek flags at the games.

Their reasoning was to be inclusive to all Australians. So they created a club that's anthem is to the tune of Scotland the Brave.

The irony is as a Scotsman I went to more South Melbourne games than Victory.
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: kruddler on December 20, 2022, 05:03:58 pm
It's because they were ethnic.

Ethnic or otherwise, were those fans more of an issue than others?
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: madbluboy on December 20, 2022, 05:28:06 pm
Ethnic or otherwise, were those fans more of an issue than others?

They had rivalries with other clubs but nothing like the organised hooliganism we are seeing with the Victory.
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: Gointocarlton on December 20, 2022, 05:35:52 pm
They had rivalries with other clubs but nothing like the organised hooliganism we are seeing with the Victory.
These f-wits are just imitating what they do in other countries, especially England. Fortunately for soccer in Australia, there are so few of them by comparison that they should be easily weeded out the problem will go away.
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: Thryleon on December 20, 2022, 11:56:58 pm
OK, thanks for explaining.

You writing that triggered something in the back of my brain which may or may not be true.
Is it possible that the reason South Melbourne were not invited back because there was a lot of trouble with those fans?
Were they the black sheep of the group (The Port Bogan equivalents - or even Adelaide fans when they noticed a victorian license plate in the car park so they spat all over it....only to later realise it was their new coach - soon to be dual premiership winning coach - Malcolm Blight!)

I may be thinking of something else, but for some reason my brain is telling me you were not invited back because you were not welcome back because of the grief you brought.

The fans of the 80's and early 90's were involved in dust ups with rivals.

South Melbourne had their old home ground at middle park.  Once they moved from that ground to Bob Jane, there was minimal fan altercations happening. 

Beyond that my post is a window into my psyche.  FFA didn't want us greeks represented in the Australian national league.  Any which way you cut it the two biggest Melbourne clubs were the Melbourne knights, and South Melbourne FC and both were denied an A league licence.  

I decided if they didn't want us, I dont want them either and wish them nothing but misery and failure. 
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: northernblue on December 21, 2022, 08:54:38 am
That’s nice Thry but they didnt want thuggery, hooliganism and old ethic tensions from Europe here in Australia, but you overlook that bit.
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: DJC on December 21, 2022, 10:23:13 am
That’s nice Thry but they didnt want thuggery, hooliganism and old ethic tensions from Europe here in Australia, but you overlook that bit.

Yes, all clubs were required to ditch their ethnic affiliations in the hope that the tensions that often arose at games would dissipate.

As I’ve mentioned before, my late brother was a police officer and, as a young constable, was often on duty at footy and soccer matches.  He loved working at the footy as there was rarely any trouble and he was virtually being paid to watch the game.  Soccer duty was different; he had to earn his money and regularly had to defend himself from “supporters”.

The other thing about South Melbourne FC is that they were in voluntary administration and didn’t apply for a spot in the new league.  Perhaps that financial/administrative hiccup has affected their subsequent applications.  Despite that, there’s no doubt that they are one of Australia’s most successful sporting clubs.
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: Mav on December 21, 2022, 10:29:26 am
They stopped the UK crowds throwing darts, it's pretty hard to believe the authorities couldn't stop the flares if they wanted to!
I remember a photo in one of the papers over here of a fan at a UK soccer match during the peak hooliganism being gently escorted by 2 policemen, presumably for medical treatment. He had a dart embedded in the bridge of his nose 😳. He looked as though he was in shock, quite understandably. He was either the unluckiest guy on earth to be struck by the dart or the luckiest given that an inch either way would have taken out an eye. What kind of arsehole would turn his back on the ground so he could throw a dart into the crowd facing him?
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: Gointocarlton on December 21, 2022, 10:33:27 am
That’s nice Thry but they didnt want thuggery, hooliganism and old ethic tensions from Europe here in Australia, but you overlook that bit.
My brother played soccer for an Italian club here in Melbourne at a decent level, there were a couple of teams he played against that were of other ethnic groups (which I wont mention) who were absolute animals. They weren't there for soccer, they were there to fight, pure and simple. They were mimicking what their comrades where doing over seas. Im sure some of the younger ones (born here) didnt even know what they were fighting about. Refs refused to turn up to their games, of course when someone from the opposite team offered to ref things escalated even more. I think that stuff has been weeded out now, I dont know for sure as my brother is now retired from the game.
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: Mav on December 21, 2022, 10:49:32 am
Here’s the photo I mentioned:
https://twitter.com/MotherSoccerNL/status/685439305221828608/photo/1 (https://twitter.com/MotherSoccerNL/status/685439305221828608/photo/1)
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: LP on December 21, 2022, 11:38:14 am
What kind of arsehole would turn his back on the ground so he could throw a dart into the crowd facing him?
Yes I was at games in the UK during the 80s and it was still a problem.

I doubt the dart came back from the front rows, it's more likely the kid turned to face the stand as a result of being distracted by something, was hit by a dart launched from further up / back. The hooligans were pretty shizen at darts as well, the most common outcome was someone forward of the thrower getting a dart in the back or on the top of the head.

From a confined space it's surprisingly hard to throw a regular dart any significant distance, much harder than throwing say a cricket ball. The flights tend to apply a lot of drag relative to the dart size and mass, I think the world record for a bullseye is only about 10m.
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: DJC on December 21, 2022, 12:53:22 pm
The flights tend to apply a lot of drag relative to the dart size and mass, I think the world record for a bullseye is only about 10m.

Darts were an important pastime in the mess during my time in the army.  To change things up, we’d often finish games from 10m.  One of my comrades would regularly score bulls from that range.  🙂
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: DJC on December 21, 2022, 12:54:32 pm
Here’s the photo I mentioned:
https://twitter.com/MotherSoccerNL/status/685439305221828608/photo/1 (https://twitter.com/MotherSoccerNL/status/685439305221828608/photo/1)

Ouch!
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: LP on December 21, 2022, 01:00:32 pm
Darts were an important pastime in the mess during my time in the army.  To change things up, we’d often finish games from 10m.  One of my comrades would regularly score bulls from that range.  🙂
My understanding is that if that happened in official competition it would make him the official world record holder by some margin!
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: Gointocarlton on December 21, 2022, 01:11:24 pm
So tell me, the life bans they've issued to a couple of the scum bags, how they gonna police that? Facial recognition on entry? I call BS.
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: Thryleon on December 21, 2022, 02:09:14 pm
Yes, all clubs were required to ditch their ethnic affiliations in the hope that the tensions that often arose at games would dissipate.

As I’ve mentioned before, my late brother was a police officer and, as a young constable, was often on duty at footy and soccer matches.  He loved working at the footy as there was rarely any trouble and he was virtually being paid to watch the game.  Soccer duty was different; he had to earn his money and regularly had to defend himself from “supporters”.

The other thing about South Melbourne FC is that they were in voluntary administration and didn’t apply for a spot in the new league. Perhaps that financial/administrative hiccup has affected their subsequent applications.  Despite that, there’s no doubt that they are one of Australia’s most successful sporting clubs.

I know this to be a fabrication of events for a fact.  South Melbourne did apply and were denied a license on 3 seperate occasions, including financial backing from a party I wont name.

Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: Thryleon on December 21, 2022, 02:11:50 pm
That’s nice Thry but they didnt want thuggery, hooliganism and old ethic tensions from Europe here in Australia, but you overlook that bit.

Not really.

I don't abide violence.  None of the people I used to go to at the soccer did, and the actions of individuals should never be applied to the entire group.  A sample size isnt representative of the whole.

There is a lot of extrapolation of ideas and facts, but the reality is that the National Soccer League had its issues historically but had well and truly been gentrified about the time that Melbourne won the grand prix hosting rights. 
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: DJC on December 21, 2022, 02:13:35 pm
My understanding is that if that happened in official competition it would make him the official world record holder by some margin!

I'm not sure whether there's a limit on how far you can stand behind the line in official competition but we made up our own rules.  Good darts players can score bulls using 3" nails instead of darts and throwing a dart accurately from 10m or more wouldn't be much of a challenge to them.  I could hit the board without any problems but scoring a bull or triple was more luck than skill.

I had a look at a dart board in a sports shop last week and I may venture back during the sales.  I'll let you know how far I can throw a dart with reasonable accuracy  :)
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: DJC on December 21, 2022, 02:33:11 pm
I know this to be a fabrication of events for a fact.  South Melbourne did apply and were denied a license on 3 seperate occasions, including financial backing from a party I wont name.

It is a fact that South Melbourne FC was in voluntary administration at the end of the 2002-03 season and didn't apply for the sole Victorian A-League licence.

It is also a fact that South Melbourne FC:
> applied to join the A-League in 2008 (Melbourne Heart got the nod),
> attempted to take a financial stake in the Central Coast Mariners, then Melbourne Heart in 2013,
> applied to join the A-League again in 2016, and
> applied for the new A-League licence in 2018 (Western Melbourne FC got the nod).

That's three separate applications as you said Thry, as well as two attempts to buy existing A-League clubs.  However, South Melbourne FC did not apply for the original A-League licence because the club was in voluntary administration.  Whether that affected the outcome of later applications is pure speculation but I would imagine that FA would go for the most lucrative and financially compelling bids ... on paper.

Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: kruddler on December 21, 2022, 05:42:07 pm
The fans of the 80's and early 90's were involved in dust ups with rivals.

South Melbourne had their old home ground at middle park.  Once they moved from that ground to Bob Jane, there was minimal fan altercations happening. 

Beyond that my post is a window into my psyche.  FFA didn't want us greeks represented in the Australian national league.  Any which way you cut it the two biggest Melbourne clubs were the Melbourne knights, and South Melbourne FC and both were denied an A league licence.  

I decided if they didn't want us, I dont want them either and wish them nothing but misery and failure. 

So basically, my initial thoughts were correct. They didn't want the 'bad' history to continue and wanted to shake things up.
The fact you have mentioned 'us' and 'the greeks' etc is part of the reason. The clubs indentity and the inherent racial issues that come with it are the issue, not the ethnicity itself.
The fact you are holding a grudge 20+ years later, despite not even having a team, backs up that the cultural roots ran too deep to change, so the easy way to go about it was to start from scratch.

I'm not saying its right, but i can certainly understand why they did what they did....and i don't think they were being anti-greek, but more anti-violence.
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: DJC on December 21, 2022, 06:24:50 pm
So tell me, the life bans they've issued to a couple of the scum bags, how they gonna police that? Facial recognition on entry? I call BS.

I think that I heard that a “supporter” who caused injury by throwing a glass bottle at another game was already on a life ban.  I guess if you can smuggle flares past security, a bottle is no problem.

A FA official on the wireless this morning was at great pains to point out that none of the banned tossers, or those facing bans, were subject to previously issued bans.  He also said that clubs would be sanctioned if banned supporters attended games.

My understanding is that the bans cover playing and spectating at all levels. 

It will be interesting to see how it is enforced and, yes, it may require facial recognition or, at the very least, security guards with a rogues’ gallery scrapbook.
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: Gointocarlton on December 21, 2022, 06:34:12 pm
I think that I heard that a “supporter” who caused injury by throwing a glass bottle at another game was already on a life ban.  I guess if you can smuggle flares past security, a bottle is no problem.

A FA official on the wireless this morning was at great pains to point out that none of the banned tossers, or those facing bans, were subject to previously issued bans.  He also said that clubs would be sanctioned if banned supporters attended games.

My understanding is that the bans cover playing and spectating at all levels. 

It will be interesting to see how it is enforced and, yes, it may require facial recognition or, at the very least, security guards with a rogues’ gallery scrapbook.
As if on cue, they had a news story about this tonight. A security expert pointed out that stadiums don't have the type of facial recognition tech needed, only airports do. This coupled with that fact that supporters are wearing caps, beanies, glasses etc, it will not be possible. As I suspected, it's a token gesture and these animals will keep attending games and keep causing problems for the game.
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: madbluboy on December 21, 2022, 06:39:59 pm
So basically, my initial thoughts were correct. They didn't want the 'bad' history to continue and wanted to shake things up.
The fact you have mentioned 'us' and 'the greeks' etc is part of the reason. The clubs indentity and the inherent racial issues that come with it are the issue, not the ethnicity itself.
The fact you are holding a grudge 20+ years later, despite not even having a team, backs up that the cultural roots ran too deep to change, so the easy way to go about it was to start from scratch.

I'm not saying its right, but i can certainly understand why they did what they did....and i don't think they were being anti-greek, but more anti-violence.

but the Victory are more violent. Are they getting shut down?
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: kruddler on December 21, 2022, 06:44:54 pm
but the Victory are more violent. Are they getting shut down?
If there was a new competition starting, maybe they would not be invited back.

There was a guy i used to work with who was a massive Victory fan and was a massive flog. I can almost guarantee he would've been on the ground during that debacle. Not that i see him anymore, but shutting down Victory would be a minor win against tools.
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: Thryleon on December 21, 2022, 10:18:34 pm
So basically, my initial thoughts were correct. They didn't want the 'bad' history to continue and wanted to shake things up.
The fact you have mentioned 'us' and 'the greeks' etc is part of the reason. The clubs indentity and the inherent racial issues that come with it are the issue, not the ethnicity itself.
The fact you are holding a grudge 20+ years later, despite not even having a team, backs up that the cultural roots ran too deep to change, so the easy way to go about it was to start from scratch.

I'm not saying its right, but i can certainly understand why they did what they did....and i don't think they were being anti-greek, but more anti-violence.
I still have team.  They play in a lower division.


Regarding your thoughts, south Melbourne is us, not solely representative of Greeks, but representative of the true soccer fans of Australia.

They didn't want us, as in our club.  If that's the case, they can stick their A league.
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: Thryleon on December 21, 2022, 10:23:15 pm
It is a fact that South Melbourne FC was in voluntary administration at the end of the 2002-03 season and didn't apply for the sole Victorian A-League licence.

It is also a fact that South Melbourne FC:
> applied to join the A-League in 2008 (Melbourne Heart got the nod),
> attempted to take a financial stake in the Central Coast Mariners, then Melbourne Heart in 2013,
> applied to join the A-League again in 2016, and
> applied for the new A-League licence in 2018 (Western Melbourne FC got the nod).

That's three separate applications as you said Thry, as well as two attempts to buy existing A-League clubs.  However, South Melbourne FC did not apply for the original A-League licence because the club was in voluntary administration.  Whether that affected the outcome of later applications is pure speculation but I would imagine that FA would go for the most lucrative and financially compelling bids ... on paper.


thats not my recollection of events particularly the voluntary administration.

Perhaps it's true, care to quote your source? 
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: DJC on December 22, 2022, 10:50:21 am
thats not my recollection of events particularly the voluntary administration.

Perhaps it's true, care to quote your source?

I haven't tried to find the original paperwork Thry, but SMFC's voluntary administration is mentioned in several secondary sources, such as:

https://kick360.com.au/a-tale-of-two-football-clubs-south-melbourne-vs-melbourne-city/
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: Thryleon on December 22, 2022, 10:54:04 am
I haven't tried to find the original paperwork Thry, but SMFC's voluntary administration is mentioned in several secondary sources, such as:

https://kick360.com.au/a-tale-of-two-football-clubs-south-melbourne-vs-melbourne-city/
was that before or after the NSL was declared dead and south were made aware they wouldn't be getting the license under any circumstances?

I know you can read stuff online retrospectively but history isn't able to be revised that easily.  Victory didn't have the money for their A league license either and were propped up by the FA. 
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: DJC on December 22, 2022, 12:08:39 pm
was that before or after the NSL was declared dead and south were made aware they wouldn't be getting the license under any circumstances?

I know you can read stuff online retrospectively but history isn't able to be revised that easily.  Victory didn't have the money for their A league license either and were propped up by the FA.

The historical record is only as good as the sources.  To be 100% sure, you’d have to look into the club’s papers from the time.

With that qualification, the recorded history is that SMFC got into financial difficulties, lost a lot of its players, went into voluntary administration and decided not to apply for an A-League licence; a responsible decision at the time.

Who knows what would have happened if they had applied?  Presumably the decision was made by the administrators and they probably had no choice.

I noticed that the latest rebuff included a statement from FA that there will be a place for SMFC in the future 🤔
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: Thryleon on December 22, 2022, 01:40:42 pm
There are a few layers of issue at the time but largely any lack of application didn't come because of financial difficulties.  My recollection was that the path to pursue an a league license cost 5 million dollars and required money to apply.

Think about the timeline.  It cost victory 4.5 million for their A league license.  500k contributed by FFA because they couldn't cover the full 5 million for the license.

The nsl was disbanded in 04 and a leagues first season in 05. 



Don't confuse effect with cause is what im getting at.  Were south Melbourne in administration and couldn't apply for a license or did they fall into administration because they were going to get denied a license and how better to manage your exit from the top flight be writing off bad debts? 

The administration and player departure happened when it was already apparent that a south bid wouldn't get up is my recollection of events.

Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: Gointocarlton on December 22, 2022, 01:53:35 pm
@Thryleon  I get your stance, however I see it as a great shame because the sport (at the top flight) in this country actually needs people like you whether it be supporter level or admin.
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: DJC on December 22, 2022, 03:27:47 pm
There are a few layers of issue at the time but largely any lack of application didn't come because of financial difficulties.  My recollection was that the path to pursue an a league license cost 5 million dollars and required money to apply.

Think about the timeline.  It cost victory 4.5 million for their A league license.  500k contributed by FFA because they couldn't cover the full 5 million for the license.

The nsl was disbanded in 04 and a leagues first season in 05. 



Don't confuse effect with cause is what im getting at.  Were south Melbourne in administration and couldn't apply for a license or did they fall into administration because they were going to get denied a license and how better to manage your exit from the top flight be writing off bad debts? 

The administration and player departure happened when it was already apparent that a south bid wouldn't get up is my recollection of events.

Here's another history of SMFC "South Melbourne – Postecoglou and Puskas at the club that moulded the city’s Greek immigrants" at https://theathletic.com/2646261/2021/07/17/south-melbourne-postecoglou-and-puskas-at-the-club-that-moulded-the-citys-greek-immigrants/

It repeats the same sequence of events:

"The good times could not last, however. The NSL was replaced by the A-League in 2004, and with Melbourne only authorised one licence and with the club in poor shape financially — entering voluntary administration — they did not apply for that licence. They remained semi-professional and returned to playing state-level football."

As I said previously, you would have to look at the documents for the voluntary administration to be sure, but it is most likely that SMFC was in trouble financially, went into voluntary administration and then did not apply for the A-League licence.
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: Thryleon on December 22, 2022, 06:18:39 pm
Here's another history of SMFC "South Melbourne – Postecoglou and Puskas at the club that moulded the city’s Greek immigrants" at https://theathletic.com/2646261/2021/07/17/south-melbourne-postecoglou-and-puskas-at-the-club-that-moulded-the-citys-greek-immigrants/

It repeats the same sequence of events:

"The good times could not last, however. The NSL was replaced by the A-League in 2004, and with Melbourne only authorised one licence and with the club in poor shape financially — entering voluntary administration — they did not apply for that licence. They remained semi-professional and returned to playing state-level football."

As I said previously, you would have to look at the documents for the voluntary administration to be sure, but it is most likely that SMFC was in trouble financially, went into voluntary administration and then did not apply for the A-League licence.
bill papastergiadis has a different account of events.  There were a few backers i knew of whom were there.  The money was available.  Poor financial shape with the best academies and purpose built home ground in Melbourne at the time.

Im telling you, that things of that nature at the time are not what they seem.
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: Thryleon on December 22, 2022, 06:26:56 pm
@Thryleon  I get your stance, however I see it as a great shame because the sport (at the top flight) in this country actually needs people like you whether it be supporter level or admin.
I know what you're saying but you have to remember where I was at back then.  I was 22 years old.  Carlton had been struggling for 2 years already and we had just won our first ever spoon.  I completed a journey to Adelaide to watch souths last ever NSL match.  I was playing senior/reserve soccer and saw what happened to the lower comps and how exorbitant fees became.  Luckily I was getting paid a pittance to play and I was in a position to turn down the cash and play for free at my local soccer club.  Before the death of the NSL I was lucky enough to secure follow my team tickets to the European cup in Portugal to watch Greece in evey game they played.  At that time I vowed to stick to my struggling clubs because the sport showed me that miracles do occur and impossible is nothing. 

Thing is at every stage of my life the term wogball followed us around, and the FFA simply felt like they wanted to take the game away from us.  Johnnie Warren's book " Sheila's, wogs and p00fters " is how I remember this sport in this country.  I followed it anyway, but the Profesional era began and I found myself falling out of love with the game anyway.

South melbourne, blue and white forever.  The clubs are what makes your sport.  I wouldn't watch afl if Carlton weren't in it.
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: Professer E on December 22, 2022, 11:19:45 pm
Yea well that was a real possibility in the early 2000s
Title: Re: FFA shooting itself in the foot AGAIN
Post by: bricky on December 31, 2022, 12:16:24 pm
So tell me, the life bans they've issued to a couple of the scum bags, how they gonna police that? Facial recognition on entry? I call BS.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/melbourne-victory-pitch-invader-already-subject-to-10-year-ban-fled-to-europe-20221231-p5c9kv.html
It was already BS