Introducing the A-League was always going to be a risky move by Football Federation Australia (FFA) when the idea was announced to the public in October 2003 by chairman Frank Lowy.
Since its inception in 2005, the A-League has continued to evolve in leaps and bounds over the course of a short 10-year history. During this time the league has continued to grow in numerous different areas, whether it be the athletes plying their trade, or those of us seeking the pulsating feeling a 90th-minute winner brings.
Crowd and membership figures
In the very first season of the league, the average crowd attendance was 11,628 fans between the eight original clubs. Sydney FC had the highest of all competing teams, with an average of just over 19,500 supporters at their home games. Comparing these figures to the 2014-15 season, we can see how the league has grown as a whole. New teams have been introduced, even though some have been forced into administration and out of the competition in heartbreaking stories.
Over the course of the past season, the games averaged crowds of 13,048, while it is also worth noting that the competition now stands at 10 teams rather than the allotted eight when the competition first began. Eventual 2014-15 premiership and championship winners Melbourne Victory drew the biggest rowds over the campaign, with an average peaking at just over 27,000. The highest crowd at one game in 2014-15 was recorded at just over 50,000 in the first Melbourne Derby of the season, compared to the inaugural year of the A-League, where the highest crowd figure recorded was just over 41,000.
The amount of fans going through the gates over each of the 10 seasons has steadily grown since the league’s inception. Numbers have risen from just over one million fans attending matches in the first season to over 1.8 million supporters in 2013-14 and 2014-15, where the former set new records for the most people attending games in a single season.
As more people are wanting to attend, there has been cases where games have almost had to be moved in order to cater for such high levels of demand, such as many discussions about the possibility of moving the Sydney derby between Sydney FC and the Western Sydney Wanderers to a larger stadium such as Homebush, the home of the 2000 Sydney Olympics. During the 2014-15 season, new membership records were set as all clubs combined broke the 100,000 barrier for the first time.
The Socceroos
When the A-League was launched, the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany followed the conclusion of the 2005-06 season. Many of the Socceroos selected in this squad were still plying their trade in leagues across Europe, with only three players playing in their home league selected for the tournament. In the inaugural season, both former and current Socceroos praised the FFA for their time and dedication to establish a new national competition.
Some of these players were lured home such as Alex Brosque (who signed for Brisbane Roar before signing for Sydney FC where he is the current captain) and Kevin Muscat (recruited to the Melbourne Victory where he is the current manager). Brosque would continue to play a pivotal role in the Socceroos fold following his move back home, before another stint overseas in Asia.
The development of the league was reflected at the halfway point of the past season when seven A-League-based players were involved in the Socceroos Asian Cup success on home soil. These players included Melbourne Victory championship-winning captain Mark Milligan (who has since moved to Baniyas SC in the United Arab Emirates) and Matthew Spiranovic of the Western Sydney Warriors, who has forged a partnership with Trent Sainsbury at national level, a pairing that could last for not only the short-term, but also the long-term future.
The A-League has also been a breeding ground for many current Socceroos, who, with terrific form in the national competition, earned moves to some of Europe’s top leagues including Mat Ryan, who has recently moved to Spanish club Valencia, while also being rumoured to have been on Liverpool’s summer shopping list.
Marquee Players
Previous to the changes made in August of this year by the FFA, clubs were allowed to sign one foreign and one Australian player to pay outside of the salary cap. Under the new system, clubs can either have what they had as the old system, two foreign players or two Australian players. The quality of the marquees has improved as the league has become more developed. In the inaugural season former Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke, playing for Sydney FC, was the main attraction for fans.
The 2012-13 season saw a trio of veteran stars from both Europe and Asia arrive. Former English international Emile Heskey (Newcastle Jets), Italian legend and 2006 World Cup winner Alessandro Del Piero (Sydney FC) and Japanese legend Shinji Ono (Western Sydney Wanderers) all signed deals to become their side’s respective foreign marquee.
All three players drew crowds wherever they went, in particular Del Piero due to Australia’s strong Italian community. Del Piero and Ono both signed on for a second season which reflected the quality of football being played in the national competition. Ono was an influential figure in Western Sydney’s run to the Asian Champions League crown.
Drawing of European Clubs
Over the past few years, Australian football fans have been treated to some of the giants of world football visiting our shores. The concept of the All Stars has given A-League players the chance to play against clubs such as English giants Manchester United and Italian champions Juventus. While this has been a major attraction, individual clubs have had their own opportunities to play against teams such as current English Premier League champions Chelsea, Tottenham, Liverpool as well as Spanish club Villarreal.
The A-League’s presence on the world stage has been demonstrated through Manchester City’s recent acquisition of Melbourne City (formerly known as Melbourne Heart). This reflects how many of the European clubs see Australia to further develop their branding.
Over the past decade, fans of Australian football have seen a massive risk of overhauling a much loved but run-down National Soccer League pay off into a much loved A-League. As the league enters its 11th season, it promises to be another one not to forget.
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