FFA scraps plans for Sydney team

FFA scraps plans for Sydney team

FOOTBALL Federation Australia has come to its senses and put on hold a team from western Sydney joining the A-League elite next season.

Sydney FC, who have had the market on their own for five seasons, are rejoicing knowing that FFA is about to quash any plans for a 12th franchise in 2010-11.

The federation is expected to announce in the next 48 hours that the three Sydney bids have all fallen over because of lack of funds in a tough economic climate.

FFA has already given a licence to a second team from Melbourne [Heart] and wanted to continue expansion by having 12 teams next season. Apart from the three Sydney bids, Canberra, South Coast and Tasmania were hoping to convince FFA it had the cash and were ready to go.

It has been nothing but a circus. Originally, it looked like colourful businessman Joe Meissner would get his Sydney bid over the line but he withdrew.

The two others supposedly in the running were the Lucas Neill-supported bid and the Greater Western Sydney Football Group, headed by former Marconi player Ritchie Williams.

Then along came Ian Rowden as the saviour of a second Sydney bid. He was previously involved in the failed Meissner bid. An FFA source yesterday revealed it was too risky admitting a second Sydney team.

"The money is not there and what is the point of having a team there for one season when it could fold. We have to act responsibly,'' he said. Despite having the market to themselves in a city of four million, Sydney FC haven't set the world on fire with their crowds.

They were banking on average gates of 17,000 this season but are averaging 13,424 from home matches against Adelaide, Wellington, North Queensland and Newcastle. The best attendance was against Fury [16,699] but that was propped up by Robbie Fowler's appearance.

FFA is already financially supporting Adelaide and must be terribly concerned about the alarming drop in attendances for Brisbane Roar. The Roar had 19,902 for their opening game against Gold Coast but are averaging 7140 for their past four home games.

The A-League may yet end up with 10 teams next year if Wellington's licence is not renewed. The Asian Football Confederation doesn't want Phoenix in the A-League past 2011.

It was always chairman Frank Lowy's aim to support New Zealand football even when Australia left Oceania and made the move into Asia.

New Zealand, of course, is still part of Oceania and the AFC has always made it clear that Wellington would not be eligible to play in the Asian Champions League if they finished first or second in the A-League.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/soccer/ffa-scraps-plans-for-sydney-team/story-e6frey4r-1225780606995

what about canberra??????

The A-League may yet end up with 10 teams next year if Wellington's licence is not renewed.

This is the line that really puts to end the spell of Canberra, Tasmania and South Coast this expansion round. Hopefully they are still looking at handing out a 12th licence. Canberra?

Just saw on foxsports news that the FFA are going to make an announcement regarding expansion this afternoon..... The bad news is that the report stated it would be a 'decision about the western sydney a-league licence'. Never say never! start praying everyone

I think the (Gate 7) post is really bad news for Canberra.. If neither Canberra nor Western Sydney get in then it means we are just going to have this tussle (with WS winning) again in one, two or however many years later.. The good thing about having WS get in meant we were next and quasi certain ahead of the likes of South Coast, Tasmania etc, now it looks like we are going to have to face-off with WS further down the line..

This is good news for us... It is!

The FFA are giving up supporting their favourites, Western Sydney, as with the terrible crowds recently, its obvious the Sydney just couldn't handle another team yet.

If Canberra can get all the foundations members etc. and a crowd of 5,000 to a neutral game, I think its quite obvious that there would be great support for a team here and we wouldn't get nearly as bad crowds as Newcastle has been getting...

The FFA just wont let go of Wellington, and they need to keep the expansion process going, especially if its coming of the back of a World Cup which Australia is participating in...

They absolutly need to go to 12 teams next year and it will seem very logical for the FFA to give Canberra a team as it has untapped football support and will encourage growth of football in the reigion,
unlike a WS team which would just steal supporters from Sydney FC.

Here's an article from Fox Sports, from 'The Australian'

FFA to temporarily abandoned plans for second Sydney A-League franchise

By Ray Gatt

September 29, 2009

Football Federation Australia are expected to announce on Tuesday they have temporarily abandoned plans to include a second Sydney franchise in next season's A-League.

The news comes amid suggestions FFA, which has called a 3pm (EST) Tuesday press conference, is ready to step in to help the financially embattled Brisbane Roar.

FFA are now resigned to going ahead with an 11-team competition after the three western Sydney groups bidding for the 12th spot in the league failed to convince the head body they had raised the necessary financial backing.

FFA had been considering the merits of six franchises - three from western Sydney and one each from Tasmania, Canberra and the NSW South Coast - to join the recently included 11th club, Melbourne Heart, in a revamped 12-team competition next season.

While Canberra had strong support, FFA chairman Frank Lowy's often-stated preferred option was a second Sydney club operating out of the western suburbs.

Despite continually putting off a decision and giving the three western Sydney franchises as much time as possible to prove their bona fides, FFA finally ran out of time and patience. It is expected to announce their decision either Tuesday or Wednesday.

"We were not going to put in a side for the sake of it," an insider told The Australian newspaper.

"Quite simply, none of the Sydney groups were able to convince us they had the right financial backing. We continually asked them to show us the money, but they couldn't.

"Given the current climate, we had a responsibility to ensure the new club was financially well placed. We didn't want to put in a new club then see it fold after a season or two."

The unsuccessful bidders - the Greater Western Sydney Football Group, a consortium supported by Socceroos captain Lucas Neill and a group led by former NSL player Ian Rowden - have reportedly been told to sort themselves out and come back in 12 months.

"We haven't given up hope of another team from Sydney," the insider added.

"They will have another 12 months to get their act together."

FFA's move comes in the wake of concerns over the viability of several A-League clubs and falling attendances.

The head body took over Adelaide United several months ago after owner Nick Bianco handed back the licence because of financial problems while FFA is closely monitoring the situation in Brisbane.

New club North Queensland Fury is also under pressure after Don Matheson was forced to take up full ownership of the club after their other investor pulled the plug last week.

All of this comes on top of the A-League recording one of their worst weekends for attendances in the almost 4 1/2 seasons of the national competition.

Despite the closeness of the competition, the standard of football improving in leaps and bounds, increased pay TV ratings and the presence of outstanding marquee players such as Jason Culina and Robbie Fowler, crowds have been disappointing.

Incredibly, only 30,992 attended the five games this week at an average of just 6198. It is the fourth-lowest round aggregate since the A-League kicked off in 2005 and the second-lowest average per match.

Brisbane has suffered the biggest fall in attendances and is causing the greatest concern.

The Roar attracted 19,902 for the first game of the season against Gold Coast United at Suncorp but, since then fans have deserted and it has failed to crack 8000 in four home games since.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,26139396-5000940,00.html

Oh yea... Bull****.

^^ Yea agree, this is sooo annoying from the media as it was based on nothing

Why would they make up stories like this? It is frustrating that they write articles based on gut feelings or something they picked up on a back street when its complete bullshi*

FOOTBALL Federation Australia has come to its senses and put on hold a team from western Sydney joining the A-League elite next season.

it was actually correct, technically.