Scrap the “All Stars”
My verdict is in: scrap the “All Stars.” It felt completely artificial in a sport that is the most removed from cheap gimmicks. David Gallop told us that the Western Sydney Wanderers were one of the great stories in world sport. So why waste the opportunity? The Cove and Red and Black Bloc should demand these nights to showcase themselves just as much as any European powerhouse. This is football in Sydney after all.
The build up to the occasion lead us to believe that Manchester United were on tour not only for the obvious reasons, but to prepare and work his squad in preparation for a title defence under Moyes. Shouldn’t the same apply for Tony Popovic or Frank Farina? These are clubs who need to work on fitness and combinations as well.
Commercially it felt like an opportunity missed. “The Foxtel A-League All Stars” is a page from the Harlem Globetrotters with absolute zero emotional attachment. It is hard enough for Ange Postecoglu to assemble a random bunch of players chosen by a group of fellow keyboard warriors and given a shirt reminiscent of a 2009 Gold Coast United away jersey. Why do we do this to ourselves?
Lets be blunt – between October and April (now May) the A League fights for every column inch in print and every second on t.v. and radio. We champion the Sky Blues and Wanderers every week with tremendous pride and passion. We make these clubs the football establishment in Sydney. So why on earth do these brands take a holiday and go into hibernation in July?
A sell out ANZ Stadium being broadcast in prime time on free-to-air should be leveraged two-fold. United fans coming from every corner of the globe (apart from Manchester) should look back on the experience with a taste of Sydney football, not just a group of guys assembled to train the main attraction.
Only the American culture or emerging football leagues use the “All Star” concept because a) they’re clubs are considered “franchises” that can be interchanged and used merely as ownership tools; or b) there is not enough talent or standing for an individual entity to stand alone, even in an exhibition context. What are we afraid of? From a competitive standpoint I’d bet either Sydney FC or the Wanderers would actually be more competitive, more cohesive and be a truer reflection of the game in this country.
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Aren’t Sydney FC utilising the acquisition of Mr. ADP to tour and make profits that way?
I have also heard that the Wanderers coaching staff is under taking a rigorous off-season in learning to be better prepared for next season.
Despite this off-season I completely see where you are coming from but surely the positives outweigh the negatives.
Yes they are in Japan to make profit and in Italy for publicity, as well as a good pre season. My argument is that the positives can be doubled if you champion the cause of an actual brand within the A-League as opposed to creating an superficial entity and slapping a Foxtel logo on it calling it a team. No one cares or remembers. Why not give Manchester United and its 100 million global audience a taste of what football in Sydney is genuinely about?
The contrast between the United game and the Liverpool game should have been enough to convince everyone that playing a club is better than the farce that was the all-stars. In saying that, the Liverpool game could have been significantly better if Melbourne Victory fans were treated better by Lou Sticca an his fellow suits, but it’s nothing that can’t be fixed if we see another big club come to Australia.