One Voice. One Bid. One Team For Canberra: ACT A-League Club

Canberra has tried before and its been proven at the top level that we can just compete on the field but struggle to be financialy viable in the longer term due to various reasons.

For me to truly believe Canberra is ready for an A-League team, we should try to join the 2nd tier A-League division when it becomes a reality (probably being announced in August) and try to regularly be competitive and viable in that.

Surely that would prove we are on some genuine path to having a team in the top division.

MWest, participation at junior levels (especially) and at the social/weekend punter level has never really been an issue. But this doesn’t necessarily indicate success at A league level if a Canberra team were to be introduced. Yes, the ingredients are there, and I’ll do my best to support the club. Only time will tell. I suspect we need at least two more WC qualifications for the Socceroos for the A league to really establish itself.

The biggest improvement the A league made is in getting rid of the ethnic based teams with their small minded nationalistic mentality. I was sick of seeing red and white chequered flags at Australian games. I’m all for an A League side In Canberra – I’ll support them all the way.

I have a feeling that the climate might be a little different now for football in the ACT. There is a very large grass roots participation in the region – Capital Football has some 17,000 registered players (there are 100+ teams across 10 divisions in the senior men’s competition alone, plus seniors, womens, junior boys and junior girls), there is a ‘churches league’, the ANU’s ‘Purple Shin’ competition between the different departments, a public service lunchtime competition plus several other more informal games every week. When I walk past the ovals at ANU around lunchtime there is almost always 2 games of football on (often small sided social games) and many international students from Europe and Asia bring their passion for football with them when they come and study here in Canberra. Women’s football is now the fastest growing team sport in Australia (nearly as many girls play football as netball now). Do any other sports have that level of participation in Canberra? I don’t know.

With the growing success of the Socceroos and the Matildas (in particular) and numerous Canberrans playing at the highest level overseas and some in the A-League, we have the talent pool to draw on. And there is definitely a fan base out there. Why not?

The A-League is also a summer competition so no need to worry about freezing your behind off when at Canberra Stadium, like when watching Raiders or Brumbies games!

Oh I miss the Cannons too jakez! So many good times growing up watching them.

Oh yeah, I signed the petition too, and I would go to my fair share of home games, for sure. Hmm, given I’ve seen a sum total of 2 Raiders and 3 Brumbies games since about 1994 at least I’ll be a new person supporting a new Canberra team.

If we get a team, it’ll most likely be a case of enjoy it while we can. I’d love to be proved wrong though.

I agree with Holden. I still signed the patition because I definately think Canberra needs a team, and I have some mates who love soccer and would come from other places to go to the games.

Although soccer isn’t my sport I’m not the kind of arse that has any ill wishes for other peoples pursuits. However, I have to say that I can’t help but agree with Holden on this one.

Canberran fans have a definite ‘fair weather friend’ streak.

Personally, I really miss the cannons.

Go Canberra!

As much as I’d love an A-league team I fear the pattern of support will simply follow the Raiders and Brumbies. When they’re good the crowds will be strong, but will drop off as the slightest hint of failure.