Did you expect better of them? Track record speaks for itself.
So does your stupid comment JV.
Central United and ACFC have done a lot for the development of football in this country. Do you honestly think without ACFC on the scene and the millions in O league winnings they've brought in there'd still be a national league? I love watching the ASBP and appreciate the efforts of the other teams. I also try to be encouraging to the Phoenix. Unfortunately there are too many who see life through a negative prism. I understand there's a tall poppy syndrome going on this forum and ACFC are the target but I truly believe the club and what it has achieved for the game in this country deserves more appreciation and less small minded bitching. The ASBP is not a perfect model but we've got to live with it.
The ACFC Youth team are a credit to the whole club's philosophy and effort. The ACFC-haters should watch them some time.
So its a stupid comment because you guys don't get personal, you don't call Chopah a dwarf and don't accuse me of racist tendencies? The comment is well founded.
Lets break down your assessment of your club and dissect it.
"Central United and ACFC have done a lot for the development of football in this country." - I don't think anyone denies what they have done for football in this country at all. For what they have done for the development of it, is a different question you would need to substantiate that a bit more. They play good football, win the league and bring back CWC money. I would not classify that as developing football in NZ. The money keeps the league alive and essentially pays entry fees for clubs and goes into players pockets. For me, thats not developing football in NZ.
"Do you honestly think without ACFC on the scene and the millions in O
league winnings they've brought in there'd still be a national league?"
- Subjective. Yes they do keep the national league alive and without that cash, there would not be one but by the same token, if ACFC were not there, Waitakere would have been there. Yeah you get a pat on the back but without your club, it would have been another NZ club most years.
"I love watching the ASBP and appreciate the efforts of the other teams. I also try to be encouraging to the Phoenix." - noted. I don't think anyone has criticised the passion you have for your club at all, just the manner in which you go about telling the rest of the world (and in the past have thrown massive stones in the Phoenix)
"I understand there's a tall poppy syndrome going on this forum and ACFC
are the target but I truly believe the club and what it has achieved for
the game in this country deserves more appreciation and less small
minded bitching." - Its not tall poppy at all. How happy would you be for your club to surrender 5 imports and play more Kiwis and be on the same level as the other clubs in the league? Do you welcome it? All we want is a fair competition so that teams that have the talent shine through not biggest pay cheques and stacking sides in an amateur competition. Again, if Juventus played in the league and diddled everyone 10-0, how does that improve the league, the players and benefit it. Your club is that far ahead because you smite the competition rules and pay your players. Thats not tall poppy, thats calling you guys out for bending the rules to win. Play on the same level field as everyone else, and I'll come kiss your feet and tell you how wonderful your club and team are. Run with 4 imports and 7 locals and then come back to us.
"The ASBP is not a perfect model but we've got to live with it." - again 100% agreement with you and I doubt you would get many dissenters on your point. It'll be this way until NZF give a shit and they have not done so since about season 3.
The ACFC Youth team are a credit to the whole club's philosophy and effort. The ACFC-haters should watch them some time." - I can't speak for that as I have only seen them once. I did see some discontent about their youth team poaching players and keeping them so its
hard to quantify the club's philospohy and effort but like I said, I have only seen them once and only have 1 side of the story so I really have no opinion on it. If they develop good footballers, then great and good on them.