A-Leagues Men and Women 2021/22 Off Season Thread

[Zidane98]

Ambitious football plans locked in

The A-League has backed border restrictions to ease and fixtured games in all five states, including Covid-riddled Victoria and NSW, for a revised season start date of November 19.

www.news.com.au

It's go time, mid November. Could be done carnage if borders aren't open (spoiler alert - they won't be).

Western United adding a 7th home ground by playing 2 games at Lakeside stadium

What's happening with the "Nix long term?

 

[Zidane98]

https://www.a-league.com.au/sites/aleague/files/2021-09/A-League%202021-22%20Season%20Draw%2023092021%20%283%29.pdf

Some funny times in that fixture, looks like Saturday night games being played simultaneously this season.

WUFC should have played fixtures at Galvin Reserve, Werribee.

 

[Zidane98]

this won’t be dull.

#foreverwest - except when they play south of the city (lakeside) or at the eastern end of the city (AAMI).

 

[gaskin]

https://www.a-league.com.au/sites/aleague/files/2021-09/A-League%202021-22%20Season%20Draw%2023092021%20%283%29.pdf

Some funny times in that fixture, looks like Saturday night games being played simultaneously this season.

Apparently 1 of them is going to be shown live on 10 while the other 2 are going to be on Paramount+.

 

[acm21]

South Melbourne has released a statement rejecting Western United’s plans to use Lakeside Stadium as a home ground. “South Melbourne considers Western United to be a direct competitor in the Melbourne, Victorian and Australian football market” the club said.

Western united stated they will play 7 games at the venue, I thought soth owned the ground and thus would if had to agree to it.

 

[giggler99]

statement:

South Melbourne FC rejects the plans of Western United FC to use Lakeside Stadium
South Melbourne FC notes the announcement by Western United FC of its intention to use Lakeside Stadium for a select number of games in the 2021/22 A-League Season.

Lakeside Stadium and Albert Park is the home of South Melbourne FC and has been for over sixty years. Our licencing arrangements with Lakeside Stadium and the State Government ensures it will remain this way for decades to come.

South Melbourne FC has a stadium, we have a home and we are proud to call it our own.

Executives at Lakeside Stadium and Melbourne Sports Centres have advised South Melbourne FC that contrary to the announcement made by Western United FC, there is no written or signed agreement in place with Western United FC or the Australian Professional Leagues to allow Western United FC access to Lakeside Stadium for the 2021/22 A-League Season.

South Melbourne considers Western United to be a direct competitor in the Melbourne, Victorian and Australian football market. Their acceptance to the A-League was based largely on the commitment to having a purpose-built football stadium constructed in Melbourne’s west. It is approaching three years since the A-League expansion clubs were announced and construction works have still not commenced. Western United’s use of Lakeside Stadium is not acceptable and South Melbourne FC will vigorously oppose any such plans.

South Melbourne can confirm that it will be exercising all rights to prevent Western United FC from playing A-League matches at Lakeside Stadium.

The club will provide its members, players, parents and supporters with further updates as information is available.

South Melbourne rejects the plans of Western United FC to use Lakeside Stadium

We will be exercising all rights to prevent Western United FC from playing A-League matches at Lakeside Stadium.

www.smfc.com.au

 

[giggler99]

South Melbourne has released a statement rejecting Western United’s plans to use Lakeside Stadium as a home ground. “South Melbourne considers Western United to be a direct competitor in the Melbourne, Victorian and Australian football market” the club said.

Western united stated they will play 7 games at the venue, I thought soth owned the ground and thus would if had to agree to it.

from that statement its just a licencing agreement to use the ground and facilities as a home base, they don't actually own the ground or the land.

Lakeside Stadium and Albert Park is the home of South Melbourne FC and has been for over sixty years. Our licencing arrangements with Lakeside Stadium and the State Government ensures it will remain this way for decades to come.

 

[Colonial]

Love our A-League.

 

[AJ_2000]

Their acceptance to the A-League was based largely on the commitment to having a purpose-built football stadium constructed in Melbourne’s west. It is approaching three years since the A-League expansion clubs were announced and construction works have still not commenced.

I am here for ALL THIS PETTINESS! To be fair, South are only saying what everyone is thinking

 

[gaskin]

The APL are still saying that WU will be playing there despite what South Melbourne have said.

 

[Munga]

Our licencing arrangements with Lakeside Stadium and the State Government ensures it will remain this way for decades to come.

What are they complaining about? Does South own the land or stadium? Is that licence exclusive to them? It doesn't sound like it. They're making it sound like they are being evicted from the place!

 

[AJ_2000]

What are they complaining about? Does South own the land or stadium? Is that licence exclusive to them? It doesn't sound like it. They're making it sound like they are being evicted from the place!

Trying to throw their weight around as "Australia's most successful club", make their supporters feel like they're fighting this etc

 

[acm21]

What are they complaining about? Does South own the land or stadium? Is that licence exclusive to them? It doesn't sound like it. They're making it sound like they are being evicted from the place!

They have been telling everyone that they own the stadium, but really from what was said it's a long term lease, probably very similar to dozens of npl (and aleague sides). Definition not exclusive because they have had wleague games there before (including last year). I would say nothing has officially been signed but the agreement is in place for Western to play there (emails are essentially binding). It doesn't sound like South have any say in how the ground is used outside there allotted hours of use.

 

[Colonial]

Trying to throw their weight around as "Australia's most successful club", make their supporters feel like they're fighting this etc

Except they aren’t the countries most successful

 

[acm21]

Except they aren’t the countries most successful

I wonder how consistent they would be able to be if they were to enter the aleague. Haven't been able to get a significant way through the ffa cup. Very much a mid table side in the npl.

 

[Sth Melb Hellas]

They have been telling everyone that they own the stadium, but really from what was said it's a long term lease, probably very similar to dozens of npl (and aleague sides). Definition not exclusive because they have had wleague games there before (including last year). I would say nothing has officially been signed but the agreement is in place for Western to play there (emails are essentially binding). It doesn't sound like South have any say in how the ground is used outside there allotted hours of use.

I think it was 40 years. The State Sport Centres Trust look after Lakeside Oval.

 

[acm21]

I think it was 40 years. The State Sport Centres Trust look after Lakeside Oval.

That is a long term lease. But Im suprised with the change of language between them as an expansion bid (Being the owners of the ground), and now being upset there oval is being used by an aleague club (essentially a long-term tenant). My assumption was that they would of atleast be responsible for running the ground (and full rights to any commercialisation of the facility), such an odd situation.

 

[acm21]

Seems more to it then just game time

 

[acm21]

A response to claims regarding Knights Stadium - Melbourne Knights FC

The Melbourne Knights Football Club would like to inform its members and the wider footballing commu

www.melbourneknights.com.au

Only preliminary discussions have ever taken place, with no assessment of the grounds been formally conducted.

 

[AJ_2000]

A response to claims regarding Knights Stadium - Melbourne Knights FC

The Melbourne Knights Football Club would like to inform its members and the wider footballing commu

www.melbourneknights.com.au

Only preliminary discussions have ever taken place, with no assessment of the grounds been formally conducted.

The NSL days are back. Now with the Knights chipping in.

Whilst no "formal assessment" has taken place, anyone with could determine the facility isn't a league standard.

 

[acm21]

“We looked at a lot of venues, five or six, but they weren’t up to the standard of the A-League or the broadcasters.

“We looked at Knights Stadium in Sunshine, Avalon Oval in Werribee and even the Showgrounds, it didn’t stack up.”

“Unfortunately, what we want and what our members tell us they want – a rectangular pitch to A-League standard located in the west of Melbourne – doesn’t exist.”

Among the reasons Lakeside was chosen besides being up to A-League and broadcaster standards, included it being easily accessible by public transport and ample parking.

New home ground for Western United | Brimbank & North West

Western United is hoping they can make Lakeside Stadium have a real home feel this upcoming A-League season. The fixture …

brimbanknorthwest.starweekly.com.au

 

[giggler99]

“We looked at a lot of venues, five or six, but they weren’t up to the standard of the A-League or the broadcasters.

“We looked at Knights Stadium in Sunshine, Avalon Oval in Werribee and even the Showgrounds, it didn’t stack up.”

“Unfortunately, what we want and what our members tell us they want – a rectangular pitch to A-League standard located in the west of Melbourne – doesn’t exist.”

Among the reasons Lakeside was chosen besides being up to A-League and broadcaster standards, included it being easily accessible by public transport and ample parking.

New home ground for Western United | Brimbank & North West

Western United is hoping they can make Lakeside Stadium have a real home feel this upcoming A-League season. The fixture …

brimbanknorthwest.starweekly.com.au

This is just embarrassing for a professional club and league. Every year this club lives a gypsy existence the worse it would be for their future and support base. The League (APL) needs to put the foot down on the club to give us a time frame for when their stadium will be ready. Otherwise relocate the club somewhere they can call home! Geelong, Ballarat, Tassie even Canberra!

 

[acm21]

This is just embarrassing for a professional club and league. Every year this club lives a gypsy existence the worse it would be for their future and support base. The League (APL) needs to put the foot down on the club to give us a time frame for when their stadium will be ready. Otherwise relocate the club somewhere they can call home! Geelong, Ballarat, Tassie even Canberra!

It looks like they are well on there way. Tbh I think they should pick a field in the west and put in the funds so it is up to scratch. Once there stadium is ready call it the W-League, npl home ground and/or training facility similar to inter Miami.

 

[burge13]

Investigation exposes underbelly of Australian football

The A-League, Australia’s premier football competition, can be truly sublime when it is at its brilliant best.

www.news.com.au

 

[Colonial]

digital platform announcement?