Hey guys, this will be my last post on this blog. We're moving to another, proper website. www.globalfootballcentre.com
We will cover more leagues, post more regularly, and will even include a forum for debates. So come and have a look!
Duke out.
Sunday, 15 July 2012
Tuesday, 1 May 2012
Jets to Continue in the A-League
Great news guys! Following a "series of confidential negotiations with the FFA", Hunter Sports Group, the owners of the Jets, have agreed to honour the remaining 10 years on their license. They have released an open letter to their fans...Shall I post it here? Yeah, why not, it'll pad out the article.
"A letter to Members and supporters
We are aware you have been through a tough month after the Hunter Sports Group (HSG) returned its A-League licence. With all the confusion surrounding the situation, it was difficult to clearly understand what this meant for the future of the Newcastle Jets. Be assured, during this time our commitment to football and the region has never wavered.
We are pleased to confirm that following a series of confidential negotiations with the Football Federation of Australia (FFA), the HSG has agreed to continue and honour its 10 year licence agreement.
This outcome quite simply would not have been possible without Nathan Tinkler's generosity, the total commitment of HSG's CEO Troy Palmer or the passion and enthusiasm shown by our members towards the Newcastle Jets.
We take confidence from the FFA's determination to have the HSG continue its work with the community, to continue building a model that is recognised as the best in the league. We now take this confidence forward.
We also would like to thank our members for fighting for the existence of an A-League team in the Hunter.
Unfortunately there has been a lot of inaccuracies written and spoken in the media about this process and how it unfolded. This is not the time for recriminations. It is a time to celebrate that decisions have now been made and are being made that will benefit football and ensure a much more secure future for the code throughout Australia.
It will not benefit the healing process to elaborate on the Jets licence fee and how it came about, the long running Jason Culina insurance matter and what steps are now being introduced to ensure that the A-League becomes a great football competition with a sustainable financial structure and business plan.
We are pleased to confirm after detailed negotiation and discussion, the HSG and the FFA have agreed on a conciliatory outcome. This is a great win for the Hunter region with the Newcastle Jets remaining in the A-League and the competition restructured with a more secure financial footing and base.
There are still many innovations and changes to be made to make the A-League an even better competition and for the Jets to rebuild a team around our many exciting young local talents but with the best of endeavours and spirits we are moving forward.
We thank the many members, fans and corporate partners for their support and for the many that understood our position that was to take a stand when there was no other option.
Above all, to the players, management and coaching staff who showed your true support and loyalty, thank you. You are the true believers.
Now is the time to unite as our focus returns to football and winning Championships for the Hunter.
We offer you our hand to come back on board for a truly exciting ride.
Kind Regards
Robbie Middleby
Newcastle Jets CEO"
Now my article looks huge, woot.
I'm not sure how this will affect the Jets team. The way I see it, it will work in one of two ways. Either people's confidence in the side will have been shattered, attendance will drop as fans who have worked up an intense hatred of HSG will stop showing up, and the club will have to do a massive drive to get them back, or people will see the group's point of view, and see them championing a reform in the FFA, and respect them for that. What is best for the club now is that the fans rally around it and try to regain some stability.
Having seen some of the protests and fan forums on the subject, it seems that most fans are desparate not to see the Jets disappear, so I'm hoping we won't lose them. People in the Hunter - Don't give up on your team. Show up in numbers. Support them. Who knows, HSG could now be inclined to pump some more investment into the area and the club to try and win back supporters.
It really will be an exciting ride.
Written by Peter Duke
"A letter to Members and supporters
We are aware you have been through a tough month after the Hunter Sports Group (HSG) returned its A-League licence. With all the confusion surrounding the situation, it was difficult to clearly understand what this meant for the future of the Newcastle Jets. Be assured, during this time our commitment to football and the region has never wavered.
We are pleased to confirm that following a series of confidential negotiations with the Football Federation of Australia (FFA), the HSG has agreed to continue and honour its 10 year licence agreement.
This outcome quite simply would not have been possible without Nathan Tinkler's generosity, the total commitment of HSG's CEO Troy Palmer or the passion and enthusiasm shown by our members towards the Newcastle Jets.
We take confidence from the FFA's determination to have the HSG continue its work with the community, to continue building a model that is recognised as the best in the league. We now take this confidence forward.
We also would like to thank our members for fighting for the existence of an A-League team in the Hunter.
Unfortunately there has been a lot of inaccuracies written and spoken in the media about this process and how it unfolded. This is not the time for recriminations. It is a time to celebrate that decisions have now been made and are being made that will benefit football and ensure a much more secure future for the code throughout Australia.
It will not benefit the healing process to elaborate on the Jets licence fee and how it came about, the long running Jason Culina insurance matter and what steps are now being introduced to ensure that the A-League becomes a great football competition with a sustainable financial structure and business plan.
We are pleased to confirm after detailed negotiation and discussion, the HSG and the FFA have agreed on a conciliatory outcome. This is a great win for the Hunter region with the Newcastle Jets remaining in the A-League and the competition restructured with a more secure financial footing and base.
There are still many innovations and changes to be made to make the A-League an even better competition and for the Jets to rebuild a team around our many exciting young local talents but with the best of endeavours and spirits we are moving forward.
We thank the many members, fans and corporate partners for their support and for the many that understood our position that was to take a stand when there was no other option.
Above all, to the players, management and coaching staff who showed your true support and loyalty, thank you. You are the true believers.
Now is the time to unite as our focus returns to football and winning Championships for the Hunter.
We offer you our hand to come back on board for a truly exciting ride.
Kind Regards
Robbie Middleby
Newcastle Jets CEO"
Now my article looks huge, woot.
I'm not sure how this will affect the Jets team. The way I see it, it will work in one of two ways. Either people's confidence in the side will have been shattered, attendance will drop as fans who have worked up an intense hatred of HSG will stop showing up, and the club will have to do a massive drive to get them back, or people will see the group's point of view, and see them championing a reform in the FFA, and respect them for that. What is best for the club now is that the fans rally around it and try to regain some stability.
Having seen some of the protests and fan forums on the subject, it seems that most fans are desparate not to see the Jets disappear, so I'm hoping we won't lose them. People in the Hunter - Don't give up on your team. Show up in numbers. Support them. Who knows, HSG could now be inclined to pump some more investment into the area and the club to try and win back supporters.
It really will be an exciting ride.
Written by Peter Duke
Monday, 30 April 2012
Sunday, 29 April 2012
A-League: Recent Updates
Right, so, quick run down of the recent goings on in the A-League
Postecoglou Joins Melbourne Victory
Yeah, it finally happened. Former Roar manager Postecoglou has made the move south to Melbourne, where he was once the player and manager of...South Melbourne. Good move? Bad Move? I guess time will tell, but if he can replicate his Brisbane success down in Melbourne, I suppose that would make him undoubtedly the best manager ever to grace Australian football. This is definitely one to keep an eye on. Rado Vidosic has taken over as manager of Roar.
Andrezinho Leaves Perth
Sad face. Unfortunately, he wasn't to get a finals win to leave with, but the sometimes talismanic Andrezinho will be seeking his future football elsewhere, most likely back in his native Brazil.
Graham Arnold Joins Sydney
Graham Arnold has left his post at Central Coast (Rhyme!). He leaves having given them a first trophy in a few years. Actually...1st placed manager joins 7th, 2nd placed joins 8th...Noticing a pattern. Interesting. The former Australia head coach has cited the will for a new challenge with a bigger club as his main motives for leaving. Good luck, Graham.
Postecoglou Joins Melbourne Victory
Yeah, it finally happened. Former Roar manager Postecoglou has made the move south to Melbourne, where he was once the player and manager of...South Melbourne. Good move? Bad Move? I guess time will tell, but if he can replicate his Brisbane success down in Melbourne, I suppose that would make him undoubtedly the best manager ever to grace Australian football. This is definitely one to keep an eye on. Rado Vidosic has taken over as manager of Roar.
Andrezinho Leaves Perth
Sad face. Unfortunately, he wasn't to get a finals win to leave with, but the sometimes talismanic Andrezinho will be seeking his future football elsewhere, most likely back in his native Brazil.
Graham Arnold Joins Sydney
Graham Arnold has left his post at Central Coast (Rhyme!). He leaves having given them a first trophy in a few years. Actually...1st placed manager joins 7th, 2nd placed joins 8th...Noticing a pattern. Interesting. The former Australia head coach has cited the will for a new challenge with a bigger club as his main motives for leaving. Good luck, Graham.
Wednesday, 25 April 2012
A-League: Postecoglou Leaves Roar
We knew it was coming, didn't we? I did say a few times it could be his last game in charge. Back-to-back Championship winning coach Angelos "Ange" Postecoglou has officially left Brisbane Roar. The Greek import, in an interview with Fox Sports FC, gave his main reason for leaving. "A new challenge beckons me somewhere".
Much has been made of his supposed desire to move to Melbourne Victory, and it is claimed he has already agreed verbally to a 3 year deal worth $1.5m. Lucky git. Why don't I get paid that much? Anyway, he all but admitted Victory was his destination after much recent press speculation, saying "There’s no secret about where I’m likely to end up"
Why Victory, you ask? Why would you leave a club you have won back-to-back championships and nearly back-to-back Premierships with and taken to the Asian Champions League for the first time, to go to a club who are past their prime, and who finished 8th this season? If you asked that, you'd be at the same point I was when I first read about it. However, those Aussies that are in the know will tell you that Postecoglou was a hero for South Melbourne FC. He won 3 Premierships and 2 Championships in his time there as a player, from 1984-1993, and was their coach from 1996-2000, winning 2 more Championships and a Premiership to boot. He's treated like a god down there.
For the Victory board, the PR bonus is obvious. Home-town hero coming back to rescue an ailing squad? If he manages to swing things around down there, it'll just...It would be a fairytale. His record in the A-League is immense. 3 trophies in 2 seasons, as well as his NSL managerial record standing at 3 trophies in 4 seasons.
Brisbane have announced that Rado Vidosic will move up from Assistant Manager to become the Head Coach. No word yet on who will be his assistant. This has sparked hope amongst the Brisbane fans that former player and Adelaide star Dario Vidosic - Rado's son - will make a return to the club. I'll post again when more info comes through on Postecoglou's move.
Much has been made of his supposed desire to move to Melbourne Victory, and it is claimed he has already agreed verbally to a 3 year deal worth $1.5m. Lucky git. Why don't I get paid that much? Anyway, he all but admitted Victory was his destination after much recent press speculation, saying "There’s no secret about where I’m likely to end up"
Why Victory, you ask? Why would you leave a club you have won back-to-back championships and nearly back-to-back Premierships with and taken to the Asian Champions League for the first time, to go to a club who are past their prime, and who finished 8th this season? If you asked that, you'd be at the same point I was when I first read about it. However, those Aussies that are in the know will tell you that Postecoglou was a hero for South Melbourne FC. He won 3 Premierships and 2 Championships in his time there as a player, from 1984-1993, and was their coach from 1996-2000, winning 2 more Championships and a Premiership to boot. He's treated like a god down there.
For the Victory board, the PR bonus is obvious. Home-town hero coming back to rescue an ailing squad? If he manages to swing things around down there, it'll just...It would be a fairytale. His record in the A-League is immense. 3 trophies in 2 seasons, as well as his NSL managerial record standing at 3 trophies in 4 seasons.
Brisbane have announced that Rado Vidosic will move up from Assistant Manager to become the Head Coach. No word yet on who will be his assistant. This has sparked hope amongst the Brisbane fans that former player and Adelaide star Dario Vidosic - Rado's son - will make a return to the club. I'll post again when more info comes through on Postecoglou's move.
Monday, 23 April 2012
A-League: Grand Final Reaction
Wow, what a match that was. Let's just break it down. For the last time this season, here's my patented break down.
Dukey's One to Watch: Brisbane Roar 2-1 Perth Glory
I promised myself I wouldn't cry! *sniff*
Right, we'll. What a game this was. Controversy, goals, a fly-by-that-never-was, and drama. Lots, and lots, of drama. For those of you who weren't here yesterday, here's a run-down. Roar became the first club in A-League history to retain a title (Premiership or Championship) after beating down a Perth side at the height of their powers.
Perth, who dropped arguably their best player Andrezinho to the bench due to a groin complaint, were exemplary and defended like lions for the best part of the game. Not only that, they were a potent threat from the start. They were holding up Roar's flowing, attacking play straight away, and stopped them mustering any real threat for the first...oh...80 minutes of the game. They started off by playing a high line and Brisbane just couldn't find their rhythm.
A record crowd (advancing 150 on last year's total) of 50,334 watched as the game began with neither side really wanting to make any real advances, but after about half an hour the game came alive. Shane Smeltz was the wounded warrior of the Glory side as a nasty gash to the face left him running round in a bandage for the rest of the match and requiring plastic surgery afterwards. I'd put a picture in, but it's pretty gruesome. All square into half time.
Straight after halftime, Glory began how they began the first half. Dominating possession, locking out Brisbane and probing Roar's back line. They found the gap after 50 minutes, Billy Mehmet with a powerful run through the Brisbane defence, the ball falling to Travis Dodd who desparately hit a ball across the face of goal for the unlucky Ivan Franjic, who had previously had Roar's best chance with a well placed drive at the other end, to knock in off the side of his boots.
To any other side this would have been a devastating blow, not just that there had been a goal, but that it was one that could have easily been avoided. However, Brisbane are not just any side. They upped the ante and increased the pressure on Perth for the rest of the game. Broich seemed like he had glue on his boots, and robona after robona fooled the Glory defence and he was able to slip in and out of the box, lashing a couple of shots at the keeper while he was at it, desparately searching for a goal.
Then it came. In the 84th minute, that man Broich managed to whip in a peach of a cross for Berisha to head in at the near post, leaving Danny Vukovic, who to be fair had a decent game, stranded. Heffernan, the Glory defender who had been a bit rough all match then went and got his second booking and left his team down to 10 men. This could be the cause of what happened next. The game seemed to be heading for extra time when in the 94th minute, Berisha again found himself in a desparate tussle in the box trying to get a shot off to win the match. He was surrounded, a slight touch was made, he swung, he missed, he fell to the floor. Penalty.
Perth fans and players were incensed at the decision, and the Golden-Boot winner peeled away celebrating as if he'd scored and won the match. Which he duly did as he dispatched the penalty with ease. It turned out to be the final go of the match. Perth kicked off and lost the ball within seconds, and the crowd erupted. Orange Sunday II was complete.
Captain of Perth and eventual recipient of the Joe Marston medal (see report below) Jacob Burns was very harsh in his media interview at the end of the game, saying that Berisha knew it wasn't a penalty, while Berisha was a lot more concerned with thanking the fans.
Well that's it. The season's over. Plenty more to come though - Asian Champions League, Euro 2012, FA Cup Final, Champions League and the run in for the Premier League. Maybe even some Olympic football. I'll be redesigning the site soon aswell so it'll be better, and hopefully I'll be getting a new writing crew to help me cover more leagues for next season.
Dukey's One to Watch: Brisbane Roar 2-1 Perth Glory
I promised myself I wouldn't cry! *sniff*
Right, we'll. What a game this was. Controversy, goals, a fly-by-that-never-was, and drama. Lots, and lots, of drama. For those of you who weren't here yesterday, here's a run-down. Roar became the first club in A-League history to retain a title (Premiership or Championship) after beating down a Perth side at the height of their powers.
Perth, who dropped arguably their best player Andrezinho to the bench due to a groin complaint, were exemplary and defended like lions for the best part of the game. Not only that, they were a potent threat from the start. They were holding up Roar's flowing, attacking play straight away, and stopped them mustering any real threat for the first...oh...80 minutes of the game. They started off by playing a high line and Brisbane just couldn't find their rhythm.
A record crowd (advancing 150 on last year's total) of 50,334 watched as the game began with neither side really wanting to make any real advances, but after about half an hour the game came alive. Shane Smeltz was the wounded warrior of the Glory side as a nasty gash to the face left him running round in a bandage for the rest of the match and requiring plastic surgery afterwards. I'd put a picture in, but it's pretty gruesome. All square into half time.
Straight after halftime, Glory began how they began the first half. Dominating possession, locking out Brisbane and probing Roar's back line. They found the gap after 50 minutes, Billy Mehmet with a powerful run through the Brisbane defence, the ball falling to Travis Dodd who desparately hit a ball across the face of goal for the unlucky Ivan Franjic, who had previously had Roar's best chance with a well placed drive at the other end, to knock in off the side of his boots.
To any other side this would have been a devastating blow, not just that there had been a goal, but that it was one that could have easily been avoided. However, Brisbane are not just any side. They upped the ante and increased the pressure on Perth for the rest of the game. Broich seemed like he had glue on his boots, and robona after robona fooled the Glory defence and he was able to slip in and out of the box, lashing a couple of shots at the keeper while he was at it, desparately searching for a goal.
Then it came. In the 84th minute, that man Broich managed to whip in a peach of a cross for Berisha to head in at the near post, leaving Danny Vukovic, who to be fair had a decent game, stranded. Heffernan, the Glory defender who had been a bit rough all match then went and got his second booking and left his team down to 10 men. This could be the cause of what happened next. The game seemed to be heading for extra time when in the 94th minute, Berisha again found himself in a desparate tussle in the box trying to get a shot off to win the match. He was surrounded, a slight touch was made, he swung, he missed, he fell to the floor. Penalty.
Perth fans and players were incensed at the decision, and the Golden-Boot winner peeled away celebrating as if he'd scored and won the match. Which he duly did as he dispatched the penalty with ease. It turned out to be the final go of the match. Perth kicked off and lost the ball within seconds, and the crowd erupted. Orange Sunday II was complete.
Captain of Perth and eventual recipient of the Joe Marston medal (see report below) Jacob Burns was very harsh in his media interview at the end of the game, saying that Berisha knew it wasn't a penalty, while Berisha was a lot more concerned with thanking the fans.
Well that's it. The season's over. Plenty more to come though - Asian Champions League, Euro 2012, FA Cup Final, Champions League and the run in for the Premier League. Maybe even some Olympic football. I'll be redesigning the site soon aswell so it'll be better, and hopefully I'll be getting a new writing crew to help me cover more leagues for next season.
Sunday, 22 April 2012
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