A-League second division
Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2010 4:42 pm
I have been thinking about an A-League second division (A-League 2) for a few months now & have finally got around to making a new topic for it. Frank Lowy has talked about a-league second division a few times in interviews which he belives, would arose more interest & bring in the excitement of promotion to a-league & regulation to second division. I strongly support his case & think a second division would be great for football in Australia (& New Zealand, maybe not cause they will only have 1 team probably). More people would attend games to in-danger-of-regulation clubs & overall, it would bring crowds up.
The thing which i am most concerned & interested about is where the teams come from. Also, what we need to think about is how many teams should be in the A-League/A-League 2. I believe the 10 current teams plus Heart & Rovers to make 12 is right figure for the A-League but how many teams in the A-League 2 should there be? I think at least 10 teams (maybe even 12). That would make a total of 21 Australian teams & 1 New Zealand team unless you brought in Auckland again- but no but Christchurch should be thought however, remember the issues with wellington phoenix participating in A-League due to Asia/Oceania conflict.
Also i would like to know, when does everybody think it should be brought in? I think not until at least season 2015/2016 because by then clubs should be settled in at the A-League.
So here is a list of clubs who i think should be in a second division if it did happen. i have divided them into probable(my definites or close to it)/possibles. All populations are from June 2008 estimated by Australian bureau of stats posted on Wikipedia. :
QLD:
Probables:
*2nd Brisbane - with over 1.9 million people, Brisbane is easily big enough for a second side. First objections would be 'roar crowds are too small to accommodate another side'. however, if they improved, both on and off (administration) the field, support would be much better & city derbies would attract bumper crowds of 20,000 IMO.
Ground: Suncorp Stadium or redeveloped Ballymore, but Suncorp would be so much easier i.e. its ready right now, no redvelopments needed.
Possibles:
* Sunshine Coast - with a population of 237,000, it certainly has the people to support a club. However, it is quite close to Brisbane & would take even more Roar fans away & i don't no if the people of Sunshine Coast would really get behind, alike to the current situation of GCU.
Ground: a redeveloped (again) Stockland Park, which has been discussed before.
*Rockhampton - with a population of 75,000, there is probably just enough support for an A-League club. The point it has got going for it is that it is many hours away from any other A-League club, so it would have next to no competition.
Ground: will discuss later
*Toowoomba - with 125,000 people, there is certainly room there for a club. However, i think its proximity to Brisbane & major support for rl would be a major problem
Ground: will discuss later
NSW:
Probables:
* Wollongong - Population: 284,000. It is calling out for an A-League. Should definitely be in A-League 2.
Ground: WIN Stadium
Border of NSW/VIC:
Probable:
* Albury-Wodonga - with a population of 102,000, this place would easily support a club. No clubs too close for competition. Should get a club IMO.
Ground: will discuss later.
ACT:
Probable:
*Canberra - 345,000 people. Already proposed an A-League club bid. Enough said.
Ground: Canberra Stadium
VIC:
* Probables:
* Geelong - 172,000 people. Ground would be a major problem i think.
Ground: will discuss later
*Bendigo - with a population of 88,000 this has enough people.
Ground: will discuss later
* Ballarat - population: 91,000. This place would get behind a club IMO, same goes for Bendigo. Regional cities would really support these teams
Ground: will discuss later
TAS:
Probables:
* Tasmania United - we've already talked about this on other forum(s). already have a bid. Ground will be major issue.
Ground: already discussed in other forum(s) & they released a document giving options. Sorry don't have the link.
Or my preferred option of a Hobart side & a Launceston side. Would create great derbies & i think both cities are big enough to support clubs.
WA:
Possibles:
* 2nd Perth - with a population of 1.6 million, im not sure if they need another team but could happen. City derbies would be great.
Ground: MES
SA:
Possibles:
* 2nd Adealide - with a population of 1.17 IMO they wouldnt get behind a 2nd club. However, they will be an option
Ground: Hindmarsh Stadium
Give me your thoughts!
The thing which i am most concerned & interested about is where the teams come from. Also, what we need to think about is how many teams should be in the A-League/A-League 2. I believe the 10 current teams plus Heart & Rovers to make 12 is right figure for the A-League but how many teams in the A-League 2 should there be? I think at least 10 teams (maybe even 12). That would make a total of 21 Australian teams & 1 New Zealand team unless you brought in Auckland again- but no but Christchurch should be thought however, remember the issues with wellington phoenix participating in A-League due to Asia/Oceania conflict.
Also i would like to know, when does everybody think it should be brought in? I think not until at least season 2015/2016 because by then clubs should be settled in at the A-League.
So here is a list of clubs who i think should be in a second division if it did happen. i have divided them into probable(my definites or close to it)/possibles. All populations are from June 2008 estimated by Australian bureau of stats posted on Wikipedia. :
QLD:
Probables:
*2nd Brisbane - with over 1.9 million people, Brisbane is easily big enough for a second side. First objections would be 'roar crowds are too small to accommodate another side'. however, if they improved, both on and off (administration) the field, support would be much better & city derbies would attract bumper crowds of 20,000 IMO.
Ground: Suncorp Stadium or redeveloped Ballymore, but Suncorp would be so much easier i.e. its ready right now, no redvelopments needed.
Possibles:
* Sunshine Coast - with a population of 237,000, it certainly has the people to support a club. However, it is quite close to Brisbane & would take even more Roar fans away & i don't no if the people of Sunshine Coast would really get behind, alike to the current situation of GCU.
Ground: a redeveloped (again) Stockland Park, which has been discussed before.
*Rockhampton - with a population of 75,000, there is probably just enough support for an A-League club. The point it has got going for it is that it is many hours away from any other A-League club, so it would have next to no competition.
Ground: will discuss later
*Toowoomba - with 125,000 people, there is certainly room there for a club. However, i think its proximity to Brisbane & major support for rl would be a major problem
Ground: will discuss later
NSW:
Probables:
* Wollongong - Population: 284,000. It is calling out for an A-League. Should definitely be in A-League 2.
Ground: WIN Stadium
Border of NSW/VIC:
Probable:
* Albury-Wodonga - with a population of 102,000, this place would easily support a club. No clubs too close for competition. Should get a club IMO.
Ground: will discuss later.
ACT:
Probable:
*Canberra - 345,000 people. Already proposed an A-League club bid. Enough said.
Ground: Canberra Stadium
VIC:
* Probables:
* Geelong - 172,000 people. Ground would be a major problem i think.
Ground: will discuss later
*Bendigo - with a population of 88,000 this has enough people.
Ground: will discuss later
* Ballarat - population: 91,000. This place would get behind a club IMO, same goes for Bendigo. Regional cities would really support these teams
Ground: will discuss later
TAS:
Probables:
* Tasmania United - we've already talked about this on other forum(s). already have a bid. Ground will be major issue.
Ground: already discussed in other forum(s) & they released a document giving options. Sorry don't have the link.
Or my preferred option of a Hobart side & a Launceston side. Would create great derbies & i think both cities are big enough to support clubs.
WA:
Possibles:
* 2nd Perth - with a population of 1.6 million, im not sure if they need another team but could happen. City derbies would be great.
Ground: MES
SA:
Possibles:
* 2nd Adealide - with a population of 1.17 IMO they wouldnt get behind a 2nd club. However, they will be an option
Ground: Hindmarsh Stadium
Give me your thoughts!