How to Win the West…
With the gold-plated shovel still awaiting the photo opportunity to turning dirt at the new Western United stadium it’s time for all involved at Western United to hit the reset button.
Only two years in and this club feels as irrelevant as Andy Harper’s hairdresser. Yes, they have started the new venture during a worldwide pandemic but those given the responsibility running this club must be honest with themselves as admit it simply didn’t work. Eight, yes Eight losses on the bounce to end the season resulted in the departure of Mark Rudan but it was the emphatic way in which the team failed to apply themselves that rung out. The last win for the club in 2020/21 was in front of less that 1000 fans, the game that once again got people talking about if those were running a football club or was it a simple land grab disguised in a green and black shirt…
| Played | Won | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference |
| 8 | 0 | 8 | 4 | 24 | -20 |
Home Sweet Home…
Speculation still remains regarding the Western United stadium and whilst there is speculation there will always be that lingering doubt. Fans of the club just want progress and will be understandable especially as we continue Lockdown 4.0. Even the simple gesture of the club placing at huge billboard of where the proposed site is “Home of Western United” would create some buzz and allow members to visit the site feeling hopeful and passionate about the two-year-old club. Like many two-year-olds there will be grumbles and teething problems and people will be understanding, providing there is communication.
Stop trying to juggle multiple home grounds, it’s reached the point of embarrassing with the club bedding down more than a premium tinder user. Geelong, Ballarat, Melbourne, Footscray, Tasmania…
You cannot please everyone and if you try and spread yourselves too thin you cannot expect loyalty. People won’t be satisfied with a token gesture, the club needs people to “buy in” and really support the club not one-night stands all over the joint.
Coffee anyone…
It was reported the relationship between Western United and Melbourne Knights wasn’t great, especially considering Melbourne Knights wanted a place on the A-League table along with South Melbourne and others but let’s build an agreement that is suitable for both parties.
There is a bloke who serves coffees in Croatia from memory that could prove invaluable to establish this new found relationship. Get on the phone to Mark Viduka and sell the best deal for both clubs so it can be a win-win until this “WU Stadium” is built.
Approach Melbourne Knights to use their stadium, build some temporary stands and give the club a 5000-seat boutique stadium close to the action. Make a deal whether it’s a monetary payment to rent the stadium or better still build some type of permanent structure that will help a future Knights A-League bid if that’s the path they want to tread. Sell the relationship of building football in the west, it’s not stepping on their toes or moving into their territory. Mark Viduka doesn’t have to be a face for the new club, frankly I don’t think that’s his gig but any doors he could open to establish even a short-term relationship will be better that the ill thought-out Archie Thompson one.
Ditch Geelong…
You cannot service Geelong, Ballarat and the Western Suburbs without some casualties and I believe Geelong should be first cab off the rank. For starters Kardinia Park is a poor fit for the A-League. It’s now a great Aussie Rules stadium but the fledgling support and the need for binoculars at the oval ground just don’t work for the club. Keep building those relationships down there but the return seems minimal for the effort required.
Keep Ballarat…
Complete preseason in the regional city of Ballarat and ensure transport is available from Ballarat to the Western Suburbs on game days at appropriate times. Work with V-Line to ensure this. Every season for 7-10 days run a preseason where the community gets the opportunity to see “their club” and if the situation presents consider playing ONE home game at Mars Oval or similar. Once again, it’s an oval and football doesn’t translate from ovals to rectangles that well…
Travel Tasmania…
Play ONE game in Tasmania so long as it’s supported by the Tasmanian government and the tourism sector down there. Encourage members to take a flight or the ferry and make this an annual supporter even. Whilst the A-League and most other sports in Australia continue to ignore the state in regards to giving them a permanent fixture, Western United should see this as both a financial and supporter opportunity providing, we can leave the state.
Paramounting the argument…
With the ink now dry on the new television/streaming deal Western United need to get on the front foot and embrace this. Get the boutique stadium deal done and create (not fabricate) the exact atmosphere needed that will once again sell the A-League to a nation willing. There is a hugely untapped market for one reason or another for the A-League and converting huge junior participation rates into rusted on A-League fans won’t happen overnight. In many ways the poor cousin of the football codes this new relationship with the broadcaster must be a healthy one.
A fly on the wall style documentary such as “Sunderland Til I die or F1’s “Driving to Survive” could be one way Western United could really get their name out there and build both the club and league to those not attached to any club or give current fans a unique look inside the club. Why not get on early and get the tape rolling from appointing a new coach onwards. The needed cleanout would provide a perfect stage to grab the audience.
No one likes us and we don’t care…
Don’t go full Millwall but embrace what they are. Traditionally football clubs represent their areas (Everyone doesn’t drive Lamborghinis in Manchester) and Western United should take a note from the hard-working western suburbs folk and roll up their sleeves. Don’t give an inch, especially in the new stadium (when built). Take on the mantra of “Us against the world” knowing the next few seasons won’t be easy but we are building the foundations. Rivalry’s will be built organically but don’t be afraid to dial up the intensity against Melbourne’s biggest club Victory or the squad from the other side of town (well soon anyway) in City.
Teams won’t want to visit a packed boutique stadium if Western United represent their area with full passion and intensity and the seats will sell themselves once those around them begin to realise this Western United team represents the people.
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