Expansion of the A-League
Encyclopedia
The A-League
is the top level of football in Australia
. It was established in 2004 with eight teams. Since then it has expanded into new markets across Australia and New Zealand. The A-League has announced a further expansion to 12 teams by the year 2012.
With the Crawford report findings Soccer Australia disbanded and formed the Australian Soccer Association. The ASA formed the Hyundai A-League with eight clubs from eight regions from around Australia and New Zealand. After the initial establishment of the A-League, the ASA disbanded and reformed as the Football Federation of Australia (FFA). The first season of the A-League was in 2005–06 with the Hyundai Motor Company
unveiled as the official naming rights sponsor for the league.
Victorian club Melbourne knights(Croatia) heard about a new league being proposed and made a bid to change there name to Melbourne united aiming to be the Manchester united of the new look Australian premier league.It was going to be tough though with the club having to drop there Croatian ethnicity as the FFA (football federation Australia) didn't want a repeat of the old NSL(national soccer league) where clubs supporters had racial or ethnical disputes witch turned
to violence .The club would play a portion of games at Olympic park and and possibly at south Melbourne's(Greece) home ground there current home knights stadium located in sunshine was a low option and more of a last resort venue with a low capacity of only 15,000 witch would hardly be enough. the bid failed and the knights kept there name and know play in the VPL(Victorian premier league in witch they finished ninth in the 2010 seson.
The initial eight teams selected were: Adelaide United
, Queensland Roar, Central Coast Mariners
, Melbourne Victory, Newcastle Jets, Perth Glory
, Sydney FC
and New Zealand Knights
.
The first season of the Hyundai A-League was launched in August 2005.
, the Knights were not considered serious contenders for the A-League title, and they were considered favourites for the wooden spoon
. These predictions turned out to be true, with the New Zealand Knights proving to be terribly out of their depth in their debut A-League season.
In April 2006, after the poor season, manager John Adshead
resigned from the club. Paul Nevin
was confirmed as manager a month later, having worked as caretaker manager since the position was vacated by Adshead.
In late October 2006, as a result of low crowd attendance at North Harbour Stadium
in Auckland
and continual poor on-field performances, rumours began to circulate that the FFA was considering the possibility of revoking the Knights' A-League licence and granting it to a new team that would be set to enter the competition in the 2007–08 season.
On 15 November 2006, nearing the end of the November transfer window, New Zealand Knights board and management decided to relieve Paul Nevin of his coaching duties due to a string of poor performances.
On 13 December 2006, strong rumours resurfaced that the FFA was considering the revocation of the Knights' licence to compete in the A-League. It quickly became clear that, with five weeks remaining in the current season, the FFA fully intended to reclaim the licence from the Knights. The FFA had continued to express angst at low attendance numbers, poor on-field performance and the lack of domestically developed players. On 14 December, the FFA announced that it had revoked the competition licence held by the Knights' owners. An arrangement with New Zealand Soccer would see the national body step in to manage the club for the remaining five weeks of the regular season, with former All Whites player Ricki Herbert
to fill the role of head coach.
Effectively, the Knights dissolved on 21 January 2007, when the final match of the season was played against the Perth Glory.
was selected as the successor to the New Zealand Knights.
and Townsville
, both in the state of Queensland
. The new teams were Gold Coast United and the North Queensland Fury
. This arrival of other Queensland based teams saw Queensland Roar renamed the Brisbane Roar.
announced their interest in becoming the second Victorian club in the A-League. After the Melbourne Victory announced they would not be playing at the new Melbourne Rectangular Stadium
unless it had a capacity of at least 30,000, the government suggested a second Melbourne team would play there. A consortium of investors were willing to put at least 5 to 6 million dollars per annum into the venture, and a letter of interest from the football club had been sent to the FFA. The agreement that will see the new stadium built with a 31,500 capacity meant that it would be unlikely such a bid will succeed based on the above conditions. In June, it was announced the existence of three separate consortiums bidding for second Melbourne franchise. On 23 March 2009, Led by Victorian businessman Peter Sidwell and operating under the working title Melbourne Heart Syndicate, the bid received exclusive negotiating rights for the A-League’s 11th licence in September 2008. Sidwell's group was awarded the license to join the 2010-11 season on 12 June 2009.
and Penrith
had submitted bids to the FFA.
On 29 September 2009, Ian Rowden's bid for a Western Sydney franchise was given the green light as the Sydney Rovers became the 12th A-League license to participate from the 2011-12 season. On 10 December 2010 it was announced that the Sydney Rovers will not be entering the A-League next season due to the consortium lacking the funds.
in England, that would cover all current teams, plus the best teams of each state's highest leagues. The FFA Cup was to commence in the 2010-2011 season. Planning for the FFA Cup fell well behind schedule, and at the end of the 2010-2011 A-league season, it was announced that the FFA Cup would commence in 2011, and that the final would be held on Australia Day.
CEO Ivan Slavich, and has gained support from many local business leaders including the manager of Canberra Stadium
, where the team would expect to be based. The FFA agreed to Slavich's request to extend the deadline for bids until mid-August. Socceroo Carl Valeri
and former Socceroo Ned Zelic
have become foundation members.
, and are fully supporting a new club for the region. A group known as "Great South Football" are behind the Illawarra bid. Former Wollongong star Scott Chipperfield
has thrown his support behind them and Tim Cahill
has joined the group, promising to establish a football academy in the region. It has been rumoured the club will be backed by Bruce Gordon
, Australia's 14th wealthest person.
CEO Martin Shaw suggested that Tasmania
would be a viable location for an A-League club, mentioning the fact that it would need support from state and local government. It has been suggested that such a team would play games in both Hobart
and Launceston
. In 2008, a Tasmanian Football Taskforce was formed to investigate an A-League bid. The Taskforce has registered the name "Tasmania United FC
" and is submitting a bid for the 2011-12 season. The Taskforce chose 25 November to launch the consortium to the press and named 'Motors' as a major sponsor. A franchise in Tasmania will give the A-League a wider national representation than the AFL and NRL. A sheikh
from Dubai
is being linked with Tasmania’s bid for an A-League team.
has previously invited the OFC
to look into creating a team for the Pacific Islands. This team could play matches in Port Moresby
in New Guinea
, Fiji
, Tonga
, New Caledonia
and Vanuatu
.
A-League
The A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company...
is the top level of football in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. It was established in 2004 with eight teams. Since then it has expanded into new markets across Australia and New Zealand. The A-League has announced a further expansion to 12 teams by the year 2012.
Foundation
The A-League was first established in 2004. It was formed when the federal government in 2003 initiated reforms of the sport via the Crawford Report. The NSL was financially unviable and was folded after the conclusion of the 2003–04 National Soccer League season.With the Crawford report findings Soccer Australia disbanded and formed the Australian Soccer Association. The ASA formed the Hyundai A-League with eight clubs from eight regions from around Australia and New Zealand. After the initial establishment of the A-League, the ASA disbanded and reformed as the Football Federation of Australia (FFA). The first season of the A-League was in 2005–06 with the Hyundai Motor Company
Hyundai Motor Company
Hyundai Motor Company is a Korean multinational automaker based in Seoul, South Korea which, along with Kia, comprises the Hyundai Kia Automotive Group, the world's fourth largest automaker as of 2009. As of 2011, it is the world's fastest growing automaker for two years running...
unveiled as the official naming rights sponsor for the league.
Initial teams (2005)
The Football Federation of Australia was very cautious in selecting who was to be part of the new league. The FFA decided upon a 'one city - one team' principle in order to protect the initial development of the foundation clubs.Towards the end of the NSL (national soccer league) rainVictorian club Melbourne knights(Croatia) heard about a new league being proposed and made a bid to change there name to Melbourne united aiming to be the Manchester united of the new look Australian premier league.It was going to be tough though with the club having to drop there Croatian ethnicity as the FFA (football federation Australia) didn't want a repeat of the old NSL(national soccer league) where clubs supporters had racial or ethnical disputes witch turned
to violence .The club would play a portion of games at Olympic park and and possibly at south Melbourne's(Greece) home ground there current home knights stadium located in sunshine was a low option and more of a last resort venue with a low capacity of only 15,000 witch would hardly be enough. the bid failed and the knights kept there name and know play in the VPL(Victorian premier league in witch they finished ninth in the 2010 seson.
The initial eight teams selected were: Adelaide United
Adelaide United FC
Adelaide United Football Club is a professional football club based in Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. It currently participates in the A-League as the sole team from the state of South Australia. Adelaide is one of the most successful clubs in the A-League. The club's home ground is...
, Queensland Roar, Central Coast Mariners
Central Coast Mariners FC
Central Coast Mariners Football Club is a professional football club based on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia. They participate in the A-League and are one of three teams from the state of New South Wales playing in the competition...
, Melbourne Victory, Newcastle Jets, Perth Glory
Perth Glory FC
Perth Glory Football Club is a professional football club in Perth, Western Australia, Australia, competing in Australia's top football competition the A-League. Perth Glory is one of only three clubs to survive from the now defunct National Soccer League...
, Sydney FC
Sydney FC
Sydney FC is a professional football club based in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia and competes in the country's premier football competition, the A-League...
and New Zealand Knights
New Zealand Knights FC
This page details the history of the club. For information on seasons and results see New Zealand Knights seasons 2005-06 and 2006-07New Zealand Knights Football Club were the only professional football club in New Zealand before they became defunct...
.
The first season of the Hyundai A-League was launched in August 2005.
New Zealand Knights (2005-2007)
Despite having a squad boasting several players with extensive experience in English footballEnglish football league system
The English football league system, also known as the football pyramid, is a series of interconnected leagues for association football clubs in England, with six teams from Wales also competing...
, the Knights were not considered serious contenders for the A-League title, and they were considered favourites for the wooden spoon
Wooden spoon (award)
A wooden spoon is a mock or real award, usually given to an individual or team which has come last in a competition, but sometimes also to runners-up. Examples range from the academic to sporting and more frivolous events...
. These predictions turned out to be true, with the New Zealand Knights proving to be terribly out of their depth in their debut A-League season.
In April 2006, after the poor season, manager John Adshead
John Adshead
John Adshead is an England-born former head coach of New Zealand's national football team the All Whites, whom he led to their first FIFA World Cup appearance in the 1982 tournament...
resigned from the club. Paul Nevin
Paul Nevin
Paul Nevin is a football manager. He is the former custodian of the New Zealand Knights, a professional club competing in the A-League. He was dismissed on November 15, 2006 due to poor performance.-Biography:...
was confirmed as manager a month later, having worked as caretaker manager since the position was vacated by Adshead.
In late October 2006, as a result of low crowd attendance at North Harbour Stadium
North Harbour Stadium
North Harbour Stadium is a stadium, situated in Albany, in North Shore City, in New Zealand. It was opened in 1997, after nearly a decade of discussion, planning and construction. Rugby union, football and rugby League are the only sports played on the main ground, as it is rectangular in shape....
in Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
and continual poor on-field performances, rumours began to circulate that the FFA was considering the possibility of revoking the Knights' A-League licence and granting it to a new team that would be set to enter the competition in the 2007–08 season.
On 15 November 2006, nearing the end of the November transfer window, New Zealand Knights board and management decided to relieve Paul Nevin of his coaching duties due to a string of poor performances.
On 13 December 2006, strong rumours resurfaced that the FFA was considering the revocation of the Knights' licence to compete in the A-League. It quickly became clear that, with five weeks remaining in the current season, the FFA fully intended to reclaim the licence from the Knights. The FFA had continued to express angst at low attendance numbers, poor on-field performance and the lack of domestically developed players. On 14 December, the FFA announced that it had revoked the competition licence held by the Knights' owners. An arrangement with New Zealand Soccer would see the national body step in to manage the club for the remaining five weeks of the regular season, with former All Whites player Ricki Herbert
Ricki Herbert
Ricki Lloyd Herbert, CNZM is a New Zealand former association football player who represented his country at the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain...
to fill the role of head coach.
Effectively, the Knights dissolved on 21 January 2007, when the final match of the season was played against the Perth Glory.
Wellington Phoenix (2007)
On 19 March 2007 after several delays, the Wellington PhoenixWellington Phoenix FC
Wellington Phoenix Football Club is a professional association football club based in Wellington, New Zealand. The club competes in the Football Federation of Australia A-League. Ricki Herbert has been the coach since the club's inception to the A-League in July 2007. The current club captain is...
was selected as the successor to the New Zealand Knights.
First Expansion (2009)
In 2009, the league expanded for the first time, rising from eight teams to ten. The two expansion teams are based in Gold CoastGold Coast, Queensland
Gold Coast is a coastal city of Australia located in South East Queensland, 94km south of the state capital Brisbane. With a population approximately 540,000 in 2010, it is the second most populous city in the state, the sixth most populous city in the country, and also the most populous...
and Townsville
Townsville, Queensland
Townsville is a city on the north-eastern coast of Australia, in the state of Queensland. Adjacent to the central section of the Great Barrier Reef, it is in the dry tropics region of Queensland. Townsville is Australia's largest urban centre north of the Sunshine Coast, with a 2006 census...
, both in the state of Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
. The new teams were Gold Coast United and the North Queensland Fury
North Queensland Fury FC
North Queensland Fury FC were a professional football club based in Townsville, Queensland, Australia, which competed in the A-League. North Queensland played its home fixtures at Dairy Farmers Stadium. The club was closed on 1 March 2011, due to financial instability.-History:A Townsville bid was...
. This arrival of other Queensland based teams saw Queensland Roar renamed the Brisbane Roar.
End of Fury
In 2011 the FFA advised that North Quensland would not be admitted into the 2011-2012 season of the A-League due to low attendance figures, poor on-field results, no owner and financial instability.Melbourne Heart (2010)
On 14 February 2007, South MelbourneSouth Melbourne FC
South Melbourne FC is a football club based in South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.Considered the most successful association football club in Australia, they have won four national championships, a string of Victorian State League titles, and represented Oceania in the 2000 FIFA Club World...
announced their interest in becoming the second Victorian club in the A-League. After the Melbourne Victory announced they would not be playing at the new Melbourne Rectangular Stadium
Melbourne Rectangular Stadium
The Melbourne Rectangular Stadium is an outdoor sports stadium on the site of Edwin Flack Field on Olympic Boulevard in the Sports and Entertainment Precinct, in inner Melbourne, Victoria, Australia....
unless it had a capacity of at least 30,000, the government suggested a second Melbourne team would play there. A consortium of investors were willing to put at least 5 to 6 million dollars per annum into the venture, and a letter of interest from the football club had been sent to the FFA. The agreement that will see the new stadium built with a 31,500 capacity meant that it would be unlikely such a bid will succeed based on the above conditions. In June, it was announced the existence of three separate consortiums bidding for second Melbourne franchise. On 23 March 2009, Led by Victorian businessman Peter Sidwell and operating under the working title Melbourne Heart Syndicate, the bid received exclusive negotiating rights for the A-League’s 11th licence in September 2008. Sidwell's group was awarded the license to join the 2010-11 season on 12 June 2009.
Sydney Rovers (2011)
Western Sydney had also been suggested as a viable location for an A-League team. Consortium's from both ParramattaParramatta, New South Wales
Parramatta is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. It is located in Greater Western Sydney west of the Sydney central business district on the banks of the Parramatta River. Parramatta is the administrative seat of the Local Government Area of the City of Parramatta...
and Penrith
Penrith, New South Wales
Penrith is a suburb in western Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Penrith is located west of the Sydney central business district and is the administrative centre for the local government area of the City of Penrith...
had submitted bids to the FFA.
On 29 September 2009, Ian Rowden's bid for a Western Sydney franchise was given the green light as the Sydney Rovers became the 12th A-League license to participate from the 2011-12 season. On 10 December 2010 it was announced that the Sydney Rovers will not be entering the A-League next season due to the consortium lacking the funds.
FFA Cup (2011-2012)
In 2009 it was announced by the FFA that they would be introducing a new competition, similar to the FA CupFA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
in England, that would cover all current teams, plus the best teams of each state's highest leagues. The FFA Cup was to commence in the 2010-2011 season. Planning for the FFA Cup fell well behind schedule, and at the end of the 2010-2011 A-league season, it was announced that the FFA Cup would commence in 2011, and that the final would be held on Australia Day.
Canberra
A Canberra based bid was announced in July 2008. It is being led by TransACTTransACT
TransACT Capital Communications is an Australian telecommunications company based in Canberra which provides broadband internet access, fixed telephony, cable television services, and mobile phone services in Canberra and a subset of these services in Queanbeyan, throughout South-east New South...
CEO Ivan Slavich, and has gained support from many local business leaders including the manager of Canberra Stadium
Canberra Stadium
Canberra Stadium is a facility primarily used for rugby league and rugby union games, located adjacent to the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, the capital of Australia...
, where the team would expect to be based. The FFA agreed to Slavich's request to extend the deadline for bids until mid-August. Socceroo Carl Valeri
Carl Valeri
Carl Valeri is a professional Australian football defensive midfielder who currently plays for Sassuolo in the Italian Serie B...
and former Socceroo Ned Zelic
Ned Zelic
Nedijeljko "Ned" Zelić is a former Australian football player.-Club career:Zelic started his career in the old Australian National Soccer League,where he played with clubs Sydney Croatia and Sydney Olympic...
have become foundation members.
Western Sydney
After the scrapping of the Sydney Rovers, the FFA approached the Greater Western Sydney Football Group, who were one of the losing groups in the bid for the second expansion. This was done to see if they could come into the competition for the 2011/12 season. The team was to be based at ANZ Stadium at the Sydney Olympic Park, Homebush and named "The Wanderers". After consultation the idea was dropped, and as yet no other consortium have come forward or been approached for the Western Sydney team.Wollongong
Many people felt the twice Australian Champions the Wollongong Wolves should be the team from the Illawarra, but according to media reports the Wolves are planning on staying in the NSW Premier LeagueNew South Wales Premier League
The New South Wales Premier League is the highest state-level men's soccer competition in New South Wales, Australia. Nationally, it is considered one grade lower than the A-League...
, and are fully supporting a new club for the region. A group known as "Great South Football" are behind the Illawarra bid. Former Wollongong star Scott Chipperfield
Scott Chipperfield
Scott Kenneth Chipperfield is an Australian international football player who currently plays as a midfielder for FC Basel in the Swiss Super League.-Personal life:...
has thrown his support behind them and Tim Cahill
Tim Cahill
Timothy Filiga "Tim" Cahill is an football player of Australian nationality who plays for Everton and the Australian national football team...
has joined the group, promising to establish a football academy in the region. It has been rumoured the club will be backed by Bruce Gordon
Bruce Gordon (businessman)
Bruce Gordon is the owner of the Australian television network, WIN Television.Gordon gained control of Television Wollongong Transmission Ltd in 1979 from Rupert Murdoch...
, Australia's 14th wealthest person.
Tasmania
In October 2007, Football Federation TasmaniaFootball Federation Tasmania
Football Federation Tasmania is the governing body for Association football in the Australian state of Tasmania. The federation oversees leagues in Northern and Southern Tasmania, Tasmanian representative teams, and development of the sport in the state...
CEO Martin Shaw suggested that Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
would be a viable location for an A-League club, mentioning the fact that it would need support from state and local government. It has been suggested that such a team would play games in both Hobart
Hobart
Hobart is the state capital and most populous city of the Australian island state of Tasmania. Founded in 1804 as a penal colony,Hobart is Australia's second oldest capital city after Sydney. In 2009, the city had a greater area population of approximately 212,019. A resident of Hobart is known as...
and Launceston
Launceston, Tasmania
Launceston is a city in the north of the state of Tasmania, Australia at the junction of the North Esk and South Esk rivers where they become the Tamar River. Launceston is the second largest city in Tasmania after the state capital Hobart...
. In 2008, a Tasmanian Football Taskforce was formed to investigate an A-League bid. The Taskforce has registered the name "Tasmania United FC
Tasmania United FC
The Tasmanian A-League Bid, under the working name of Tasmania United FC, was a proposed Tasmania-based A-League association football club...
" and is submitting a bid for the 2011-12 season. The Taskforce chose 25 November to launch the consortium to the press and named 'Motors' as a major sponsor. A franchise in Tasmania will give the A-League a wider national representation than the AFL and NRL. A sheikh
Sheikh
Not to be confused with sikhSheikh — also spelled Sheik or Shaikh, or transliterated as Shaykh — is an honorific in the Arabic language that literally means "elder" and carries the meaning "leader and/or governor"...
from Dubai
Dubai
Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates . The emirate is located south of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and has the largest population with the second-largest land territory by area of all the emirates, after Abu Dhabi...
is being linked with Tasmania’s bid for an A-League team.
Geelong
Geelong has been considered the next logical place for expansion in Victoria.New Zealand
In spite of the unsuccessful New Zealand Knights, NZ's current club, Wellington Phoenix has been relatively successful and the possibility of a second New Zealand team in the future has been raised, possibly playing home matches in Auckland or Christchurch.Pacific Pride Bid
There has also been suggestions that a team representing Oceania could be involved in the A-League. The FFAFFA
FFA is a three-letter acronym that may stand for:-Aviation and the military:* First Flight Airport, IATA code for the tiny airstrip in Kitty Hawk where the first flight occurred in 1903.* Free-fire area, in U.S...
has previously invited the OFC
OFC
OFC may refer to:* Corporate Office Properties Trust * Oceania Football Confederation* Offshore Financial Centre* Online Film Critics Society* Open fiber control* Open Financial Connectivity* Optical fiber cable* Optical Fiber Conference...
to look into creating a team for the Pacific Islands. This team could play matches in Port Moresby
Port Moresby
Port Moresby , or Pot Mosbi in Tok Pisin, is the capital and largest city of Papua New Guinea . It is located on the shores of the Gulf of Papua, on the southeastern coast of the island of New Guinea, which made it a prime objective for conquest by the Imperial Japanese forces during 1942–43...
in New Guinea
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea , officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in Oceania, occupying the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and numerous offshore islands...
, Fiji
Fiji
Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
, Tonga
Tonga
Tonga, officially the Kingdom of Tonga , is a state and an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, comprising 176 islands scattered over of ocean in the South Pacific...
, New Caledonia
New Caledonia
New Caledonia is a special collectivity of France located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, east of Australia and about from Metropolitan France. The archipelago, part of the Melanesia subregion, includes the main island of Grande Terre, the Loyalty Islands, the Belep archipelago, the Isle of...
and Vanuatu
Vanuatu
Vanuatu , officially the Republic of Vanuatu , is an island nation located in the South Pacific Ocean. The archipelago, which is of volcanic origin, is some east of northern Australia, northeast of New Caledonia, west of Fiji, and southeast of the Solomon Islands, near New Guinea.Vanuatu was...
.