Is it really an "A" League?
With the A-League kicking on almost 15 years ago the question can be posed, has it been a success?
Big crowds adorned the opening of the competition, and with comparatively big overseas signings, relative to previous manifestations, headed by former Manchester United striker Dwight (all night) Yorke, prospects were high. Former German international Pierre Littbarski was appointed alongside Yorke as Sydney FC coach, whilst another England International Steve McMahon headed up the Perth Glory franchise.
Everything was headed, seemingly, in the right direction, and with the national side going through a halcyon era of players, with the likes of Harry Kewell, Mark Viduka, Mark Schwarzer and Tim Cahill all starring for their respective premier League clubs, the future looked bright. Around the corner was also the Socceroos best ever placing at a World Cup, when a late Harry Kewell goal against Serbia threw the country into delirium, and the team into the second round for the first time ever.
So what’s happened since? The competition has stagnated until recently in terms of growth. The introduction of Western United FC this season, pre-empted by South West Sydney next season, will go some way to alleviating that. But is that the only problem?
Constantly dwindling crowds and a consistent decline in TV viewing has people questioning the long term credibility of the sport.
It is my view that the reason for that is the dominance of both Sydney FC, and Melbourne Victory, who, combined, have won 8 of the 14 titles on offer. Brisbane have won 3 with the rest being divvied up between Newcastle, Adelaide and the Central Coast, who have all won one each. None of the Wanderers, Perth, Wellington, or Melbourne City have fired a shot, although the Wanderers did win the Asian Champions League.
What has to change? The length of the competition is not comparable to the interest in same. With the competition to be increased to 12 teams, surely the powers that be will reduce the home and away series to 22 rounds (from 29), with 3, or even 4, weeks of semi finals. The savings to lesser teams would be significant, and would also allow further interest in the ladder, which, as it currently stands, has the regular opportunity to blow out with some teams little to no hope of making the semi finals come the half way mark or earlier in the competition.
In addition to that, numerous players, both Australian and International, have made comment of the vitriol handed out by crowds to players within the competition. Is this a deterrent to high calibre players coming for a jaunt at the twilight of their career? Almost certainly so.
Perhaps the recent determination to separate the A League from Football Federation Australia will pave the way for more streamlined, common sense decisions to improve both the quality and interest in the A League competition moving forward.
Only time will tell.
