Lowy's Legacy?

[NUFC Tiger]

So today is Frank Lowy's last day as the Chairman of the FFA (coincidentally coinciding with the 10 year anniversary of our triumph over Uruguay back in 2015) and I thought it would be worth discussing what his legacy is on the football footprint in Australia under his watch.

Definitely a controversial figure who divided (and still even regarding the Nix) opinions but curious to see how he is viewed by football fans.

The good:

• Brought much needed stability back to the code and improve the professionalism of the governing body in Australia (helped establish the FFA).
• Helped oversee Australia end it's World Cup drought and also the successive qualifications that followed.
• Establishment of the A-League, women's league and youth league.
  
• Institution of the FFA Cup.
• Helped push Australia into the AFC, providing a more rigorous and competitive qualification process for all national sides.
• Hosting of the Asian Cup as well as seeing the Socceroos win their first major international trophy.

The bad:

• Failed A League expansion into Queensland (Gold Coast and the Fury) - still a black mark on the game locally IMO.
• Can add the handling of the Phoenix saga to that list
• Higher grassroots football costs for juniors.
• World Cup bid - while perhaps not really his fault, the debacle probably didn't help win over casual fans who were upset to see a large amount of taxpayer money go out the door on a 'rigged' bid campaign.
  
• IMO, could have done more to foster better relations with the other major codes in Australia. I like the fact the FFA has tried to become a influential governing body but sometimes it seems like the FFA has picked fights for the sake of fights rather than trying to generate goodwill. Not saying they are completely at fault but definitely played their part.

I think overall, he's done a great job - especially if you consider where the game was 10-12 years ago and where it is now. Lots of progress has been made with a few bumps along the way.

Will be interesting to see what his son Steven (who seems to be the FFA Chairman elect) brings to the table.

 

[hey shorty]

Process to elect Steven sounds like the process to make Hird and Worsfold coaches of Essendon.

 

[showdownhero]

Not a fan of nepotism

 

[Punchy Bassett]

The push into Asia has been huge for us. To be able to move on from the bullshit of having our automatic spot taken away from us that was granted to Oceania and facilitate this move has been the most important step for us in well ever.

 

[FreoRicci]

The push into Asia as well as the decision to buy all the business class tickets for Uruguay's trip to Sydney in 05 are the best choices he made. Don't think anyone else of Lowy's influence and reputation would've got us into the Asia Confederation. Possibly harder then making the World Cup itself, convincing the rich, ignorant countries such as UAE, Saudi Arabia as well as Iran that Australia is worthy of a spot. Even today the AFC nations still debate about it. Finally competitive countries to improve against, as well as an easier path to the World Cups in 2010 and 2014.
Oversaw Australia making the Asian Cup, qualifying for the Final in 2011 and hosting and winning the trophy in 2015.
Most stable Football Australia organization at the moment, compared to the dark days prior to 2005. Horrible time for football within Australia.

 

[nobbyiscool]

I agree that, overall, he's been invaluable to the growth and stabilisation of football in Australia.

But we shouldn't gloss over the negatives. The notion that the World Cup bid wasn't his fault is absolutely false, and it was the really annoying thing about the ABC's 'Played' the other night. I don't understand why we're trying to re-write history to say that we were lied to, and we were screwed because we were naive. Well, no - corruption in FIFA isn't a new thing. We knew what the game was, we possibly even tried to engage with that game in a half-arsed (and very "western") manner. We don't now get to say how bullshit the process was given those factors.

It is undoubtedly the biggest black mark on his tenure as chairman, because he let his own hubris as a result of his personal success allow him to think that he could single-handedly pull this off. Given the public money being used, given how FIFA operates... and given we were never going to be the US anyway - Lowy absolutely escaped the criticism he should've received. He somehow managed to dodge it because the heat went on the Labor Government for committing the funds (despite the fact that Howard had already committed the funds in principle before he was voted out!)


The FFA Cup has been a good thing, as has the NPL structure - but it's been too little, too late in terms of trying to re-engage "old soccer" who spent the first half of Lowy's tenure being kicked only because the FFA saw "old soccer" as the counterpoint to what they were trying to achieve, and they used it as such. Arguably every marketing campaign during the first 4 years of the A-League were kicking "old soccer".

There's still such a long way to go with this, because the FFA Cup is a pretty half-arsed attempt at creating the illusion of a "whole of football" structure within the game. This structure doesn't exist - the Socceroos and the A-League clubs are still completely divorced from every other level of football beneath them.


The other negative that the OP has probably glossed over a little is that the majority of A-League clubs still aren't stable, sustainable models. Every year we have a new club with ownership dramas, and every club is still overly reliant on money that they don't earn themselves (ie. tv money and contributions from the league's sponsorship "bucket")


All that said, I thought the "November 16" documentary showed his biggest legacy - the relative World Cup success. That qualification in 2005 and the preparation and money that was put into it was the catalyst for everything that has happened in the 10 years since. Without qualifying in 2005 I don't reckon we still have an A-League, and we don't become the regional powerhouse that we are now.

 

[hey shorty]

I agree that, overall, he's been invaluable to the growth and stabilisation of football in Australia.

But we shouldn't gloss over the negatives. The notion that the World Cup bid wasn't his fault is absolutely false, and it was the really annoying thing about the ABC's 'Played' the other night. I don't understand why we're trying to re-write history to say that we were lied to, and we were screwed because we were naive. Well, no - corruption in FIFA isn't a new thing. We knew what the game was, we possibly even tried to engage with that game in a half-arsed (and very "western") manner. We don't now get to say how bullshit the process was given those factors.

It is undoubtedly the biggest black mark on his tenure as chairman, because he let his own hubris as a result of his personal success allow him to think that he could single-handedly pull this off. Given the public money being used, given how FIFA operates... and given we were never going to be the US anyway - Lowy absolutely escaped the criticism he should've received. He somehow managed to dodge it because the heat went on the Labor Government for committing the funds (despite the fact that Howard had already committed the funds in principle before he was voted out!)


The FFA Cup has been a good thing, as has the NPL structure - but it's been too little, too late in terms of trying to re-engage "old soccer" who spent the first half of Lowy's tenure being kicked only because the FFA saw "old soccer" as the counterpoint to what they were trying to achieve, and they used it as such. Arguably every marketing campaign during the first 4 years of the A-League were kicking "old soccer".

There's still such a long way to go with this, because the FFA Cup is a pretty half-arsed attempt at creating the illusion of a "whole of football" structure within the game. This structure doesn't exist - the Socceroos and the A-League clubs are still completely divorced from every other level of football beneath them.


The other negative that the OP has probably glossed over a little is that the majority of A-League clubs still aren't stable, sustainable models. Every year we have a new club with ownership dramas, and every club is still overly reliant on money that they don't earn themselves (ie. tv money and contributions from the league's sponsorship "bucket")


All that said, I thought the "November 16" documentary showed his biggest legacy - the relative World Cup success. That qualification in 2005 and the preparation and money that was put into it was the catalyst for everything that has happened in the 10 years since. Without qualifying in 2005 I don't reckon we still have an A-League, and we don't become the regional powerhouse that we are now.

Very balanced look, pretty spot on IMO.

 

[imadodgyumpire]

The FFA Cup has been a good thing, as has the NPL structure - but it's been too little, too late in terms of trying to re-engage "old soccer" who spent the first half of Lowy's tenure being kicked only because the FFA saw "old soccer" as the counterpoint to what they were trying to achieve, and they used it as such. Arguably every marketing campaign during the first 4 years of the A-League were kicking "old soccer".

There's still such a long way to go with this, because the FFA Cup is a pretty half-arsed attempt at creating the illusion of a "whole of football" structure within the game. This structure doesn't exist - the Socceroos and the A-League clubs are still completely divorced from every other level of football beneath them.


The other negative that the OP has probably glossed over a little is that the majority of A-League clubs still aren't stable, sustainable models. Every year we have a new club with ownership dramas, and every club is still overly reliant on money that they don't earn themselves (ie. tv money and contributions from the league's sponsorship "bucket")

and we don't become the regional powerhouse that we are now.

Being part of the AFC meant they were forced to concoct of comp which included lower level teams before it was sensible?

Regional powerhouse? :?

 

[nobbyiscool]

Being part of the AFC meant they were forced to concoct of comp which included lower level teams before it was sensible?

Regional powerhouse? :?

Just in case you're behind on the news, we won an Asian Cup earlier this year, and an A-League club won the AFC Champions League last year. I reckon that qualifies us as a regional powerhouse.

I'd love to respond to your first line, but I can't figure out what it's meant to be saying...

 

[imadodgyumpire]

Rightio. nobb' is still upset over WC GF loss.

While the FFA may've introduced a half arsed comp which includes teams at the lower levels. I don't think they really wanted to do it in the first place. But by being part of the AFC. There supposedly was a condition that to continue in the AFC, there had to be such a competition.

As far as being a powerhouse is concerned. Sure there's been success. But powehouse means influence. I'm not sure Australia/FFA has that much influence. It's like Red Bull in formula one. They've been the most successful team in F1 the past decade, and RB pumps a lot of money into F1. But they don't have the clout that comes with success. I don't think any country in Asia would cry if Australia ****** right off AFC. Unlike an insignificant Asian country/economy, Australia would always be vulnerable that they can be cut off the AFC.

Do you understand now nobb'?

 

[nobbyiscool]

Rightio. nobb' is still upset over WC GF loss.

While the FFA may've introduced a half arsed comp which includes teams at the lower levels. I don't think they really wanted to do it in the first place. But by being part of the AFC. There supposedly was a condition that to continue in the AFC, there had to be such a competition.

As far as being a powerhouse is concerned. Sure there's been success. But powehouse means influence. I'm not sure Australia/FFA has that much influence. It's like Red Bull in formula one. They've been the most successful team in F1 the past decade, and RB pumps a lot of money into F1. But they don't have the clout that comes with success. I don't think any country in Asia would cry if Australia ****** right off AFC. Unlike an insignificant Asian country/economy, Australia would always be vulnerable that they can be cut off the AFC.

Do you understand now nobb'?

Firstly - how small-minded to suggest that because you didn't explain yourself properly, I'd be that pathetic to still be upset over something that happened 6 weeks ago... and from a Carlton supporter no less

I'll engage with it anyway - doesn't what you say about the FFA not really wanting the FFA Cup support what I said about the FFA's failure (under Lowy) to engage the 2nd tier levels of football that they shat on in the early days of the A-League, and their even worse/bigger failure to engage clubs below the second tier? Aren't we arguing the same thing? No wonder I couldn't figure out what you were saying

I don't know about your F1 analogy, I don't know enough about it. But I don't agree that we have no clout in the AFC - we have plenty of "friends" who will vouch for us in the eastern half of Asia, because none of the east Asian countries (nor any of the west Asian countries) have a hell of a lot of power as individuals. Their power all comes as collectives (which is why every time "Oceania to Asia" is raised, it is very quickly followed by the suggestion that the AFC be split in two... we aren't isolated as a country that other countries don't appreciate, because neither "side" of the confederation really have a lot of time for the other).

If we had no power, we wouldn't have 2.5 slots in the AFC Champions league - this is a full 1 slot more than we should have, but it's a spot that we have because we have clout, which is because we have reasonable amounts of what Asia wants ie. money, a presence for many of the same sponsors that drive football in Japan and Korea, a strong national team that improves the standard of the confederation and maintains at least 5 WC spots, and a relatively strong womens game. (With all that said... I was really only referring to us being an on-field powerhouse anyway!)

Again... I'd question what your argument is... the vast majority of my original post is talking about Lowy's failures that are glossed over... you seem to be suggesting that he's more of a failure than I suggested? What's the point you're making?

 

[imadodgyumpire]

Tbh. I'm now not interested in what you have to say, and did not bother reading your post, after your initial condescending response. If you had trouble understanding my comments, you could've asked for clarification, like a sensible, normal person would.

I can't recall if there's been a spat between us in other threads before, because I can recall some disputes I 've had with other posters, even from years ago. But this interaction AFAIAC can GAGF.

 

[nobbyiscool]

Tbh. I'm now not interested in what you have to say, and did not bother reading your post, after your initial condescending response. If you had trouble understanding my comments, you could've asked for clarification, like a sensible, normal person would.

I can't recall if there's been a spat between us in other threads before, because I can recall some disputes I 've had with other posters, even from years ago. But this interaction AFAIAC can GAGF.

Yeah, I don't think there's a person who will read this that believes a word of it.

I think it's much more likely that you were being argumentative for arguments sake, and you've lost track of your own argument.

 

[TooUglyForFugly]

What was the point of anything he was trying to say ...

I have a bigger reason - if any at all - to be argumentative but I also believe what nobby says. The WC bid is the worst thing the FFA has done in recent years because we, the people, copped the worst of it for a lost cause before it began.