New Players, Crowds & TV Ratings
Socceroo/ Mariner / Whangarei
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A little bit from the smh today says a lot in a short space .... I hope BB is right. About half way along you can find these bits funny place for MC to put them stuck in a salary cap article .........but as I said I hope BB is right
http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/foo...956038879.html
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With Gold Coast and North Queensland negotiating with a raft of existing A-League players, and with the competition possibly expanding by a further two teams in 2010, Buckley heads off to Europe in three weeks to try to convince a host of second-tier Australian players it's the right time to come home.
Forums with up to 70 players are being planned for London and perhaps Amsterdam to sell the benefits of the A-League, and Buckley is confident the trip will yield some returns.
"We want these players to come home, especially the ones who perhaps aren't playing in the top leagues over there," he said. "Expansion is important for the A-League, but equally it's important we maintain the quality of the playing standard."
Meanwhile, Buckley is sensing the competition might have turned a corner after matches in round nine last weekend pulled the highest crowds of the season - although Melbourne Victory's attendance against Sydney FC accounted for more than half of the aggregate of 58,403. While overall crowds remain down by 12 per cent on last season, ratings on Fox Sports are up 5 per cent, and Buckley is confident the season is ready to rebound after a sluggish start.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/foo...956038879.html
.................
With Gold Coast and North Queensland negotiating with a raft of existing A-League players, and with the competition possibly expanding by a further two teams in 2010, Buckley heads off to Europe in three weeks to try to convince a host of second-tier Australian players it's the right time to come home.
Forums with up to 70 players are being planned for London and perhaps Amsterdam to sell the benefits of the A-League, and Buckley is confident the trip will yield some returns.
"We want these players to come home, especially the ones who perhaps aren't playing in the top leagues over there," he said. "Expansion is important for the A-League, but equally it's important we maintain the quality of the playing standard."
Meanwhile, Buckley is sensing the competition might have turned a corner after matches in round nine last weekend pulled the highest crowds of the season - although Melbourne Victory's attendance against Sydney FC accounted for more than half of the aggregate of 58,403. While overall crowds remain down by 12 per cent on last season, ratings on Fox Sports are up 5 per cent, and Buckley is confident the season is ready to rebound after a sluggish start.
Socceroo/ Mariner / Whangarei
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What is disappointing is that I think this year the football is a lot better but the overall league as a package has been a bit disappointing. The introduction of the new teams next year is definitely a good thing
Normo's coming home
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More teams will hopefully energise the competition and make wins slightly easier to come by for the PHoenix. May also create the odd further opportunity for NZ players to find a professional contract.
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