A - League vs NSL, The great debate Options

[Isidoros]

Kala. Ta kseris ola esi!!! Were you going to the games in your nappies re???

Nothing beats the old days, yes, the old days, the 80's when you went to the Sydney Olympic games with your dad, hanging for the the guy yelling 'Peanuts,,, peanuts' to come around and freaking out over the psycho in the crowd who always used to get so mad you though he would kill the ref!

Now tell me, do you think the (g)A - League will ever have that kind of passion???
I just dont see it at the games today... Its almost like a fabricated (lets all jump ont he bandwagon) kind of support im seeing at these games...

The cove here is Sydney is mostly a bunch of English pisspots who care more about the beer than the game, but there is hope,,, there is hope!

Just the other night a small group of Brazilians added some life into the place with their drums and rhythm, it was excellent... Now thats what im talking about...

[ThrylosG7]

Ok here it is...the official topic so everyone can have their say without ruining every other topic. I know things are going to be heated I just ask people not to use personal attacks. The rest of the forum doesnt come in here its usually the just the Greeks from Australia..so we have it all to ourselves...

[Isidoros]

This is where all the "YERI" will come out to play...

Lets go boys...

This post has been edited by Isidoros: Aug 26 2007, 04:53 AM

[PAOKARA_04]

Kala. Ta kseris ola esi!!! Were you going to the games in your nappies re???

Nothing beats the old days, yes, the old days, the 80's when you went to the Sydney Olympic games with your dad, hanging for the the guy yelling 'Peanuts,,, peanuts' to come around and freaking out over the psycho in the crowd who always used to get so mad you though he would kill the ref!

Now tell me, do you think the (g)A - League will ever have that kind of passion???
I just dont see it at the games today... Its almost like a fabricated (lets all jump ont he bandwagon) kind of support im seeing at these games...

The cove here is Sydney is mostly a bunch of English pisspots who care more about the beer than the game, but there is hope,,, there is hope!

Just the other night a small group of Brazilians added some life into the place with their drums and rhythm, it was excellent... Now thats what im talking about...

I dont care about all that. Im going against your statement that the NSL used to attract 'far larger crowds'.

[gboots]

I believe it was I who said the g(A) league had no passion.

Thus, it my duty to bring that passion back into the game. One MUST take action to right the wrongs. I must not be a couch potato who waits for others to partake. I will be proactive

What we need is rivalries. Where there are rivalries there is passion. Even Tuesday Night Bingo at Revesby RSL with Doris and the girls has more passion and rivalry than the g(A) league at the moment.

So here's my bit. I hope the mighty Phoenix...the AEK of the g(A) league can destroy the likes of Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory (what sort of a name is Victory,......and what about Roar....sorry that's plain g(A)).

At least the Phoenix is symbollically powerful ....and lets face it the owner of Wellington, Serepesios, wanted to call them A.E.W Dikefalos .......Athletiki Enosis Welligton.....but Lowy would have screwed him.

The other good thing about Weelington is that all the g(A) supporter wanted them out to bring in another g(A) team from Nth QLD (they probably would have called them the Cane Toads).

So in effect Wellington Phoenix represent all the disenchanted / disenfranchised NSL clubs.....and that is why I support the Phoenix 100 % until I get a better alternative.

Besides I know too many Skops that go for Sydney and I want to disassociate myself from those nameless blockheads. They cling to anything because they have nothing but lies....so let them have Sydney FC.....the bunch if useless has-beens.

That's my 1 cents worth.

Death to all by the sword of the Phoenix

This post has been edited by gboots: Aug 26 2007, 11:17 PM

[MIA ZOI]

Branko Cullina, who coached at NSL now at the A-league's premier job has said the NSL was technically a better league.

Thats a fair opinion.

[pao2gre]

Isidoros I think what you are failing to understand or unwilling to realise is that although Australia is multicultural there will always be to an extent an assimilation process. This is true for the migrant communities. Only in the first and a fair few of the second generation did people give a shit about 'their' nsl club. Third generations dunt give a fuck and that is a fact. How can their be an ethnic NSL if third generation kids do not speak Greek and cant be fucked to go to a NSL olympic vs Knights match to watch "shit" football in shit stadiums.

[Aεκαρα Για Παντα]

So in effect Wellington Phoenix represent all the disenchanted / disenfranchised NSL clubs.....and that is why I support the Phoenix 100 % until I get a better alternative.
Death to all by the sword of the Phoenix

this is where the A- league bashers kill themselves. one of the biggest anti a league arguments is that "you can't just jump to a new club like that" however you have basically said that you will do that when a better alternative comes up. Since none of the NSL clubs will be involved you will probably jump to a new club.. hypocrisy anybody???

[Amorgos]

Pai na gamithi to gay league and its plastic clubs, after clubs like South Melbourne (most historic club in Australia), Sydney Olympic, Marconi (pou na doume Olympic- Marconi derby anymore), West Adelaide, Melbourne Knights, Sydney United, Adelaide City, etc... were spat out and given fuck all.

Its very evident who the guys in here are that clearly have no idea what the NSL used to be like, and probly only saw its poor last two seasons where Soccer Australia murdered the clubs and the leagues just when other nationalities were going to the game.

For the little ones who have no idea about the NSL days and what clubs like South Melbourne Hellas and Sydney Olympic mean to some, ill just tell you, the quality of the NSL in its great days of 80's 90's, and bit of early 00's is not at all matched by the gay league, and the derbies had passion all over the stadium, not pencil neck skips and kinezi chanting like little dorks in the cove? Is that what they call it? lol

NSL was the League!

[PAOKARA_04]

I went to every single West Adelaide game from 1993 (when I was 7 and a bit) right till our death in 1999. From 1999-2003ish I went to all adelaide city games to support the sport as it was falling apart. From 2003-2007 I have gone to see Adelaide United and even became a member of the club even before I started supporting them. Believe it or not my heart is blue and white - the colours of West Adelaide.

Ive followed football closely and extensively pretty much my whole life. I could even show you guys my year 7 major assignment which I done on the NSL. It was awesome...

Anyway the NSL was great for us wogs, but it wasnt getting anywhere. Look pao2gre said it right (though not as formally)...the new generation ethnics might as well be labelled as 'skips'. Not everyone is like us, we are diehards and no matter what you all say, you love/hate the a-league because you love football in this country. If Australia had 15000 of us in every city the NSL would work.

It became apparent to me that a new league was needed in about 2002. I remember going to see Adelaide City vs South Melbourne at hindmarsh and (at the time I was really young and I just broke into playing first team state league) I really thought to myself 'shit what has happened, this is a state league crowd'. It was soo bad that I was on the eastern grandstand and I could hear the players swearing at eachother at the opposite side near the corner stand - It was terrible. And yeah outside of Perth Glory and South Melbourne (who even they had some bleak years towards the end attendance and financial wise) the whole league was quickly becoming a dump.

It was time for a change - not only for the national league, but also for the socceroos. How embarassing was it that the NT of a country like australia was making overseas players pay their way to New Zealand? How embarassing was it that football - the best game in the world, was only getting a few hours a week on Sbs. How bad was it that you would get a 3 line snippet in newspapers about the game? The game hit rock bottom....

People can talk about tv deals, government funding etc that helped the a-league...and yes it did. But do you think that money would be well spent to the crooks that ran the NSL? Would you think giving money to clubs with no major market to bring in new fans (say what you like, but I think attendance records prove me correct) be well spent?

Basically you can read what I said and call it complete crap, souless and rip it to pieces - thats your choice. Understand where im coming from. I love the a-league because I love football. Nothing makes me prouder than turning on the tv and seeing 15000+ people paying and attending the game I love. Im so proud to be greek but I live in Australia and I want the sport to be successful in the country I live in.

[Isidoros]

Isidoros I think what you are failing to understand or unwilling to realise is that although Australia is multicultural there will always be to an extent an assimilation process. This is true for the migrant communities. Only in the first and a fair few of the second generation did people give a shit about 'their' nsl club. Third generations dunt give a fuck and that is a fact. How can their be an ethnic NSL if third generation kids do not speak Greek and cant be fucked to go to a NSL olympic vs Knights match to watch "shit" football in shit stadiums.

There is always hope my friend...

I gave a shit about Sydney Olympic because I saw the passion in my father and uncles and that fed through to me...

The powers that be must move on and realise the ethnic cleansing factor of the NSL is long gone and somehow instill a rivalry between clubs and their supporters which can instill passion into its supporters more so than what we experience in todays game...

I yearn for this as I want to see quality games with meaning, I want my kids to have the same experiences as I did and grow up with something more than the malakies fed to us by Lowie and his ^ vlahoi...

Ive followed football closely and extensively pretty much my whole life. I could even show you guys my year 7 major assignment which I done on the NSL. It was awesome...

That is quality PAOKARA_04
Is it something you can show us on here?

Pai na gamithi to gay league and its plastic clubs, after clubs like South Melbourne (most historic club in Australia), Sydney Olympic, Marconi (pou na doume Olympic- Marconi derby anymore), West Adelaide, Melbourne Knights, Sydney United, Adelaide City, etc... were spat out and given fuck all.

Its very evident who the guys in here are that clearly have no idea what the NSL used to be like, and probly only saw its poor last two seasons where Soccer Australia murdered the clubs and the leagues just when other nationalities were going to the game.

For the little ones who have no idea about the NSL days and what clubs like South Melbourne Hellas and Sydney Olympic mean to some, ill just tell you, the quality of the NSL in its great days of 80's 90's, and bit of early 00's is not at all matched by the gay league, and the derbies had passion all over the stadium, not pencil neck skips and kinezi chanting like little dorks in the cove? Is that what they call it? lol

NSL was the League!

Thats passion re, pure unadulterated passion....
Where will you find that in the (g)A - League???

[PAOKARA_04]

It was hand written but I will try get it up one day. I was an NSL lover like everyone here, and I still have footage etc. on tapes/dvd's of my beloved west adelaide hellas. But like I said I think the a-league is in the best interest of the sport and thats why I support it.

[Isidoros]

The following is a famous quote by "Sammy of Parramatta"
Some of you may know him, others may not...
Its so elegantly put!

Quote:
"NSL was better. We got bigger crowds in Sydney before (olympic, marconi and united) well over 30,000 each week!!!!! the a-league is meant to attract people from all over Sydney not just the minorities, yet they struggle to get 15k to a game!! do the math."

[gboots]

this is where the A- league bashers kill themselves. one of the biggest anti a league arguments is that "you can't just jump to a new club like that" however you have basically said that you will do that when a better alternative comes up. Since none of the NSL clubs will be involved you will probably jump to a new club.. hypocrisy anybody???

My friend......I am just stirring the pot. We need some passion....some luuuuuuv in the game.

Remember 100 % of 1% = 1 %. In other words I will be 100 % behind Phoenix but I currently dedicate very little time to the A-League. So in effect the result is a lack of passion at this point of time. I am willing to change my view but I need a reason. We need luuuuuuuv and passion in the game. This is what Football is about. Football is not about dollars in my world. They can glam it up as much as they like....but if there is no passion then there is no soul and there are no roots to support it. Its all just markewting at the moment. There in no substance. Its a front.

[Aεκαρα Για Παντα]

surely crowds with 10 000+ can learn passion through the A-league... or do you believe that crowds of 2000 with passion will attract greater attention

[Amorgos]

It became apparent to me that a new league was needed in about 2002. I remember going to see Adelaide City vs South Melbourne at hindmarsh and (at the time I was really young and I just broke into playing first team state league) I really thought to myself 'shit what has happened, this is a state league crowd'. It was soo bad that I was on the eastern grandstand and I could hear the players swearing at eachother at the opposite side near the corner stand - It was terrible. And yeah outside of Perth Glory and South Melbourne (who even they had some bleak years towards the end attendance and financial wise) the whole league was quickly becoming a dump.

It was time for a change - not only for the national league, but also for the socceroos. How embarassing was it that the NT of a country like australia was making overseas players pay their way to New Zealand? How embarassing was it that football - the best game in the world, was only getting a few hours a week on Sbs. How bad was it that you would get a 3 line snippet in newspapers about the game? The game hit rock bottom....

Please dont forget this is what Soccer Australia did in order for the Gay league to hit the shelf rocking!
I remember very well the last Sydney Olympic - South Melbourne game at Kogarah and to be honest was appauled at what Soccer Australia had done to the game and our BELOVED clubs!
The league was becoming a dump because they wanted it to re file, dont you see this? Why do you think I hate Sydney FC with such a passion? They killed the foundation clubs of this country and made these plastic jewish run clubs and give them all the gold possible also! Like hell I will follow such a club!
They even went a season with no soccer season here to talk up the gay league! Come on!
Anyways, im not attacking you or anything like that, I just hope you realise what the NSL used to be and what THEY turned it into, so Poof FC can look so good.

[Isidoros]

Who do you want to support???

This ^ malaka



Or this absolute legend of a GREEK!!!

[ThrylosG7]

Ive said it a million times on here...I used to love Olympic and used to go to many games...however..the clubs and the league itself could only appeal to the wogs. There was never any way they Aussies who lived in or around Fairfield,Bonnyrigg ect could go and Support Marconi or Sydney Utd. What possible link could they find going to Edensor park and all the chants being in Croatian....How can they play in play in the A league with grounds like that ??

There had to be a change...we needed clubs that appeal to everyone. The only reason you Amorgos supported Olympic was because it was Greek..no other reason...even if you lived in Liverpool you would supprt them....you wouldnt supprt Marconi or Syd Utd would you?? It was all ethnic based..and that automatically alienated everyone who isnt Greek, Italian or Croatian.

I hate how the new FFA pretends that the NSL never existed or it doesnt acknowledge what it done for Australian football ... I hate how the tenders made it impossible for the NSL clubs to actually put a bid together ( not that any of them would have had a real chance anyway) .... However that doesnt remove the need for change.

[gboots]

TG7 and Amorgos. I can understand both viewpoints. Its true the NSL couldn't appeal to everyone....but it is also true that they tried to "kill" the NSL through bad publicity.

Its like City Rail and the Public Schools. My view is that the NSW State Government is deliberatley running these departments into the ground so that eventually the public will accept the privatisation of the transport system and that most kids will go to Private school. Its all about marketing and perception.

Do we honestly think Sydney FC players (from Australia) are technically better than players who were in the NSL ?

How do try out for Sydney FC anyway ? How do yo work your way up ? My mate the Skop is a Sydney FC fan but himself admits the quality is less than is use to be. The only thing he likes is the atmoshere. In orther words its all "smoke and mirrors" - the public has been sold a dud with flashy marketing. She's good looking but she can't cook, clean, speak or iron.

Ahhh...what can we do. We have wog blood in our veins and we are full of passion.

One thing that can't be argued is that there is more interest now, but I believe it from the fringe elements or "part time" fans not the old supporters. You know the type of fan that wear a "Wallabies" jersey to the Socceroos match. I hate that soooo much....bunch of pommy "Wankabees". Part time fans who have only jumped the band wagon since we made the world cup. Whereas many true fans - from an ethic perspective - have been ethnically cleansed

Its a tough one - there seems to be no middle ground. Could a South Melbourne survice within such a comp ? Or would this defeat the purpose ? Maybe we should a Wogs United side

This post has been edited by gboots: Aug 29 2007, 02:03 AM

[pao2gre]

Firstly please do not talk to me about not knowing or understanding how good the NSl was in the 80's and 90's because previous coach was a player who played for sydney olympic during those days and won the FIFA U17 golden boot so I think I know that the quality back then was better.

What you people need to realise is that this is not a question of football. Having the NSL as the major league of Soccer in Australia seems like an oxymoron especially with the rise of conservative Howard. Howard has destroyed the policy of multiculturalism and instigated a policy of assimilation. How would an ethnic NSL survive within this culture??? It wouldnt.

If you guys have looked at studies you will see that second generation migrants ie: 80's, 90's are perhaps the most fanatical migrants for their patrida. Trends show that with third generations the assimilatory process takes full hold rendering a greek ethnos invalid as the very essence of it has been lost....or perhaps not wanted or cared for.